(Newburgh, NY … November 14, 2012) It’s glorious! … It’s spectacular! … It’s breathtaking! … It’s thrilling! … It’s the opening day of the renovated Museum and the new exhibit “Unpacked & Rediscovered: Selections from Washington’s Headquarters’ Collection.” On Saturday, December 1st, from 10 AM until 3 PM, the long awaited day will finally arrive when over 1,300 artifacts, many which have not been seen in decades, will be on display once again in the Museum.
Come and browse through our exhibit featuring military weapons, domestic implements, dolls, souvenirs of past wars, local Newburgh history, memorabilia, and so much more. We guarantee you’ll come back again and again to see these examples of the grass roots of the American preservation movement.
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The exhibit utilizes an “open storage” format, where a large number of objects, will be on display. An electronic catalog will maximize a visitor’s self-directed learning experience. This will afford visitors a plethora of knowledge about every object on view, including images, details, curatorial information, and related object references.
Along with the opening of “Unpacked & Rediscovered: Selections from Washington’s Headquarters’ Collections,” the revitalized first floor exhibits will be opened to visitors. In the East Gallery, a segment of the Boom and Chevaux de Frise used by General Washington will be on display in “Defense of the Hudson.” In the West Gallery, distinguished portraits of George and Martha Washington will be featured, along with panels describing the history and importance of this site.
To herald in this event on December 1st, the 5th New York Regiment, 5th Connecticut Regiment and Lamb’s Artillery will be performing drills, firing muskets, and shooting off cannons throughout the day. Also, the historic Hasbrouck House, used by General and Mrs. Washington as headquarters during the last 16 ½ months of the Revolutionary War, will be open for touring. While residing at the stone farmhouse, General Washington rejected a monarchy, announced the cease fire, and created and awarded the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart.
Support for Opening Day is provided by Central Hudson. Support for this exhibit is provided by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Palisades Parks Conservancy, the Friends of the State Historic Sites of the Hudson Highlands, Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works, TruVue Optium, and the Golub Foundation.
Safe Harbors of the Hudson will hold its fifth annual “Bells on Broadway” Arts & Crafts Show and Children’s Holiday Festival on Saturday, December 1 from 10 AM to 4 PM in the Ritz Theater Lobby and the historic Green Room in Newburgh. “Bells on Broadway” is the perfect opportunity to shop for everyone on your list, bring the little ones to meet Santa and Frosty and get into the holiday spirit. Admittance to this event is free to the public with a nominal fee for photos with Santa and Frosty and holiday snacks. Holiday wreaths will also be available for purchase. Best of all, this event provides a safe, inviting place for neighbors to come together to celebrate the holidays. www.safe-harbors.org www.facebook.com/SafeHarborsoftheHudson
Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site is a registered national historic landmark. It is located at the corner of Liberty and Washington Streets within the city of Newburgh’s East End Historic District. The site is one of 35 historic sites within the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is one of 28 facilities administered by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in New York and New Jersey. For further information contact: (845) 562-1195. For more information call 8445-562-1195 or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/washingtonsheadquarters. For more information about New York State Parks, please visit our website at www.nysparks.com
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