Newburgh to Honor African American Burial Ground With Historical Marker Unveiling

Update: Here Is A Live Stream Of The Event

This Sunday, October 13th at 2 PM, the City of Newburgh will unveil a new historical marker to honor the African American Burial Ground discovered under and around the current City Courthouse. The ceremony, taking place at the courthouse on 300 Broadway, marks a significant moment for the community in recognizing a long-overlooked chapter of Newburgh’s history.

The story of the burial ground came to light in 2008 during renovation work on the old Broadway School, which was being transformed into the City Courthouse. Construction crews unearthed bones, leading to the involvement of archaeologists. Over the course of several months, more than 100 skeletons of men, women, and children, buried between 1832 and 1867, were uncovered. A *Times Herald-Record* report in 2016 detailed how the remains, along with artifacts, were recovered and sent to SUNY New Paltz for safe storage.

The Broadway School, originally built in 1908, had been unknowingly constructed on top of this historic burial site. The discovery of these remains shed light on the burial ground, once dedicated to African Americans, and raised important questions about how Newburgh’s past has been treated and remembered.

In 2022, the Newburgh City Council took a crucial step toward proper recognition by approving the construction of a memorial in Downing Park. The upcoming marker installation is part of this ongoing effort, which has been spearheaded by dedicated community members, including Ramona Burton, Dr. Benilda Armstead-Jones, Gabrielle Burton-Hill, and Pamela Krizek. Their commitment to bringing this hidden history to light has been instrumental in the city’s efforts to honor those interred.

This weekend’s ceremony is not just about unveiling a marker; it is about acknowledging the resilience of the people buried at the site and the community’s ongoing journey toward healing. The event offers an opportunity for the public to reflect on the injustices of the past and how they still resonate today. Everyone is welcome to join the community in this important commemoration and help keep this chapter of Newburgh’s history alive.