Broadway School

NEWBURGH – Human remains found recently during construction for the new City of Newburgh Courthouse are likely “from a historic cemetery,” according to a forensic anthropologist’s report received by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The city now believes the remains are from the site of an African-American cemetery once located in the vicinity of Route 9W and the former Broadway School.

Newspaper records from 1908 indicate that bones were found during the construction of Route 9W and later, the Broadway School, and that arrangements were made to re-inter those found during the road construction at Woodlawn Cemetery, and those found during the construction of Broadway School at the Alms House Cemetery. It is unknown at this time whether more remains will be found as the construction to convert the school into the new courthouse progresses.

Mayor Nicholas Valentine said the city will pay its respects to those people who were buried there.

“We have actually put together and advisory group of community leaders, members of city council and staff including our city historian, to come up with ways to properly honor the people who were buried in that cemetery,” he said.

City Manager Jean McGrane has met with a representative from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation regarding the historical significance and preservation of the remains.

The city is in the process of identifying a consulting archeologist to be on-site as further excavations are done, and has also been exploring the possible use of Ground Penetrating Radar to help determine whether other graves exist.  In the meantime, work is continuing inside the building, and concrete was poured into previously placed forms for the exterior foundation and footings, with OPRHP approval.

“We are committed to doing whatever we can to honor this site and those who were interred here, according to the wishes of the community, and, to creating a lasting memorial to commemorate the significance of this historic location,” said the City Manager.