If the communities of Newburgh and Cornwall had a theme song it might just be Credence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary" with its "rollin' on the river" chorus. Both communities are set against the majestic backdrop of the mighty Hudson River.
Newburgh is a city that has been marred by crime and negative publicity in recent decades, but thanks to creative and unique development plans and artistic projects, the city is poised to become a regional destination for the arts and culture.
Cornwall is a town of mountain and river views that residents say has kept a true small town feel even in an era of franchises and urban sprawl.
Newburgh
The first European explorer to come to Newburgh was Henry Hudson, whose ship, the Half Moon, came up the river (that would later bear his name) and into Newburgh bay in 1609. His first mate's journal entry recorded that the area was "a pleasant place to build a town." During the Revolutionary War George Washington guided the war from the city. For the last year and a half of the war Washington used the home of the Hasbrouck family as his headquarters. In 1850 the house became the first building to be preserved by a state as a historic site.
During the early 1800s and early 1900s Newburgh was a center of commerce in the mid-Hudson. After World War II the national move away from cities and, decrease in industry took its toll on the city and many downtown business had closed by the 1970s. Over the years, historic buildings were left vacant and demolished by the city, and the crime rate increased. But today, the city is roaring back and is looking to reclaim its place as a regional influence. The newly opened Newburgh Brewing Company began selling beer at the end of April. (Read a profile of brewery owners page Paul Halayko and Christopher Basso on page 78.) The city is also home to the 35-acre Downing Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who designed New York City's Central Park.
Helping to lead revitalization efforts in Newburgh is Safe Harbors of the Hudson, a nonprofit organization that is committed to building communities through housing and the arts. In 2002 the organization purchased the historical Hotel Newburgh, which at the time was a run-down hotel but has since been transformed into an attractive supportive housing complex that has been renamed The Cornerstone Residence.
In addition to providing assistance housing, the residence serves as a community center and catering and event hall. The Cornerstone Residence is also home to the Ann Street Gallery, which shows contemporary art by local and non local artists alike. Safe Harbors of the Hudson also hosts concerts and community events and festivals. The organization plans to renovate Newburgh's historic Ritz Theater in the near future.
Tricia Haggerty Wenz, executive director of Safe Harbors of the Hudson, says that revitalizing communities through the arts is "a proven way of redeveloping these small urban cities throughout the country." She adds, "I believe Newburgh can redefine itself as a Mecca for the arts. I think that's its best hope for the future." But she's quick to note there's already plenty to love about Newburgh. "First of all you can't deny the natural beauty of Newburgh right where it is in the Hudson Valley, with the river and the mountains. Then, you have the incredible architecture and then the eclectic mix of people who live here. There are so many different cultures that reside in the city. It makes for a certain kind of vibrancy. You can experience any type of food in the city of Newburgh. We need to expand upon that and market it more."
Among the food to be experienced in Newburgh are smoked and grilled meats and a varied vegetarian menu of the Wherehouse Restaurant at 119 Liberty Street. The Wherehouse specializes in barbecued items like ribs and pulled pork and uses organic and locally grown products wherever possible.
Rib lovers will find another Mecca of meat flavor at Billy Joe's Ribworks, at 26 Front Street. This waterside restaurant and bar offers mouthwatering ribs, spectacular views of the Hudson River, outdoor dining and regular live entertainment.
At Caffe Macchiato, at 99 Liberty Street, diners can get a taste of Italy at this charming café that features breakfast and lunch menu items such as Italian style eggs and panini sandwiches. Lovers of Italian food can also sample the wood-fired-brick-oven pizza, pastas, and entrees at Cosimo's Brick Oven at Route 300 Newburgh.
For lovers of Asian food, Newburgh is home to Yobo Fine Asian Cuisine, at 1297 Route 300. The restaurant's menu features a diverse array of savory entrees from Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and all the provinces of China.
For dessert diners can head over to Commodore Chocolatier at 482 Broadway. This family owned business is located in an old soda shop and it serves up a truly delectable assortment of store made artisan chocolates
Visitors to Newburgh can slow down and enjoy the finer things in life with a bottle of wine purchased at Vino 100, a wine shop at 1278 Route 300 that offers 100 great wines for $25 or less and seeks to help wine lovers purchase wines that are specifically suited to their taste buds.
Adams Fairacre Farms offers the community a greenhouse and nursery, garden supply, gourmet grocery store, baker, and deli all rolled into one. The business started as a roadside farm stand in the early 1900s, and the Newburgh location is one of four in the Hudson Valley.
Beyond food and drink, Newburgh also offers a wide array of cultural activities. The Railroad Playhouse at 27 South Water Street, is a non +profit arts organization dedicated to the revitalization of Newburgh and the preservation of Newburgh's historic West Shore Railroad Station.
Cher Vick is a blogger who runs the site NewburghRestoration.com, which is dedicated to chronicling all the positive things that are going on in Newburgh. Vick, who lives in New York City, first heard about Newburgh because she has always been interested in historical architecture.
"I was looking for historic homes within an hour radius of New York City," she says. "I came upon Newburgh and thought it was great. I thought the architecture was great."
Vick launched her site in 2008. It began as a small hobby at first but it has became a major passion of hers, and she plans to move to the city one day soon and restore a historic home of her own.
"I think Newburgh is a great location, perfect for somebody who's looking to move out of the City who wants to be part of something," she says. "Newburgh really is a city, it's not just a town with a main street." She adds that another thing she loves about Newburgh is its rich history.
Speaking of history, Karpeles Manuscript Museum at 94 Broadway is the Newburgh branch of a national string of privately owned museums that was founded in the 1980s by California real estate magnates David and Marsha Karpeles. The Newburgh museum houses the Dona McPhillips Historical Painting Series. Through the end of August the museum will host an exhibit on Sigmund Freud.
Newburgh is also home to Mount Saint Mary College, which has a campus overlooking the Hudson and has a great influence on the region. Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, president of Mount Saint Mary College, says many students come from the area to attend the college, and many students from other areas remain in Newburgh after graduation.
"We have alumni in all 50 states and a few foreign countries, but many remain in this region," he says.
He adds that the city of Newburgh and the surrounding region have a lot to offer students and others.
"We have a world of opportunities in the greater Newburgh area. We have much to celebrate and much to build upon. I hope more people discover those opportunities, learn about them, and also contribute their own best efforts."
CORNWALL
South of Newburgh along the west side of the Hudson River lies Cornwall, which is also home to the village of Cornwall-on-Hudson. The quaint town boasts picturesque mountain and river views.
2 Alice's Coffee Lounge at 311 Hudson Street serves up an assortment of coffee and espresso drinks and breakfast lunch and dinner items. Mikey Jackson, who owns 2 Alice's Coffee Shop along with his "baby-mamma" Aurelia Winborn, says the place has a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.
"We always play great music tailored to the demographic that is currently in the shop. We have lots of telecommuters that use our shop as their office, which is really cool."
At night, the coffee shop serves beer and wine and regularly hosts music events on the weekends. Jackson said that Cornwall is unusual in that it still has an old-time small-town feel and sense of community.
"Many small towns aren't so small anymore and are overrun with shopping malls and giant stores, and Cornwall doesn't have any of that. I like how I can't go to the gas station without not bumping into at least five people [I know]."
Jackson adds that he's friends with many of the other business owners in town and it's a tight-knit group.
Those other businesses include Painter's Restaurant at 266 Hudson Street, an inn, restaurant, and art gallery. The restaurant's eclectic menu offers Italian, Japanese, Mexican, and American fare.
Nearby, The Canterbury Brook Inn at 331 Main Street gives visitors a chance to experience an authentic European-style restaurant. Chef and owner Hans Baumann offers traditional Swiss dishes served in the European style. There are several dining rooms, as well as an outdoor terrace overlooking the picturesque Canterbury Brook.
Leo's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in Cornwall Plaza at 12518 Quaker Avenue serves delicious standard pizza and Sicilian-style pies. The restaurant also has a full menu that features classic Italian cuisine. In addition to the location in Cornwall there are Leo's restaurants in Newburgh and Wappingers Falls.
Cornwall is also home to the Storm King School, a private school that teaches grades 8-12. Joanna Evans, the school's associate director of admissions, says the natural beauty of the area helps enhance the students learning experience.
"With spectacular views of the Hudson River Valley and the Catskill Mountains to the north, the campus is adjacent to a total of 6,000 acres of preserved forest [including Black Rock Forest and Storm King State Park], which the Schools uses as a 6,000-acre classroom," she says.
Evans says the students connect with the local community in a variety of ways, including the school's community service program, in which students engage in community service on a weekly basis.
The students at the Storm King School are not the only ones in Cornwall giving back. The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley houses its administrative offices and has a 55,000-foot warehouses in Cornwall-on-Hudson. The organization is dedicated to alleviating hunger while preventing the waste of wholesome food. The agency provides millions of pounds of food to the needy each year.
Cornwall is home to several farms, including the Edgwick Farm which produces artisan goat cheese (read a profile of Edgwick Farm, owner Talitha Thurau on page 85). In 2008 the Cornwall Community Co-Op formed to support these forms and others in the region and encourage local, fresh, and sustainable eating. Co-Op President Rachel Scirbona says the organization has lot of plans for this year. "We're trying to be more active in the community," she says.
In the past, the Co-Op has hosted a weekly farmers market on the lawn at the Cornwall Town Hall on Wednesdays. This year Scirbona says they will also host a farmers market once a month on a Saturday. In July, the Co-Op will sponsor a locavore challenge and will be encouraging everyone in Cornwall to sign up and eat locally for one month. "We're really lucky to live in the Hudson valley because there are so many farms and so many opportunities for local produce as well as artisan cheeses and breads. It's a great place," Scirbona says.
