The City of Kingston, NY

    Welcome to the City of Kingston, NY

    Kingston, dating to the arrival of the Dutch in 1652, is a vibrant city with rich history and architecture, was the state's first capital, and a thriving arts community. City Hall is in the heart of the community at 420 Broadway, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except July & August (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).  Come tour our historic City, with restaurants that are among the region's finest, and local shopping that promises unique finds.

    Historic Churches

    Kingston is home to many historic churches. The oldest church still standing is the First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Kingston which was organized in 1659. Referred to as The Old Dutch Church, it is located in Uptown Kingston. Many of the city's historic churches populate Wurts street (6 in one block) among them Hudson Valley Wedding Chapel is a recently restored church built in 1867 and now a chapel hosting weddings. Another church in the Rondout is located at 72 Spring Street. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1849. The original church building at the corner of Hunter Street and Ravine Street burned to the ground in the late 1850s. The current church on Spring Street was built in 1874.

    Kingston, NY

    Kingston became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British on October 13, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga. In the 19th century, the city became an important transport hub after the discovery of natural cement in the region, and had both railroad and canal connections.

    Kingston, NY

    The town of Rondout, New York, now a part of the city of Kingston, became an important freight hub for the transportation of coal from Honesdale, Pennsylvania to New York City through the Delaware and Hudson Canal. This hub was later used to transport other goods, including bluestone. Kingston shaped and shipped most of the bluestone made to create the sidewalks of New York City.

     

    Contact Us

    City Hall Address:
    420 Broadway
    Kingston, New York
    12401

    Phone:
    (845) 331-0080
    Email:
    [email protected]

    Kingston News

    9/26/2019 - Burning of Kingston 2019 Schedule Released

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    September 26, 2019

    2019 Burning of Kingston Schedule Released

     

    KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steve Noble is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2019 Burning of Kingston commemorative event has been released. The City of Kingston, alongside several local organizations, will be sponsoring and supporting the two-day event, which will include: 

    Friday, October 18

    6:30pm        Introduction by Paul O’Neill, U.C. Commissioner of Jurors at Old Dutch Church

    7:00pm        Screening of the Burning of Kingston Documentary at the Old Dutch Church

    7:30pm        The Great Debate Committee of Safety Meeting reenactment at Old Dutch Church

     

    Saturday, October 19           

    11:00am-4:00pm         Exhibit at the Friends of Historic Kingston gallery at Fred J. Johnston House

    11:00am-3:00pm         The 18th Century Autumn Festival at the Senate House

    12:30pm                      Harambee Speaker and Special Exhibit at the Matthewis Persen House

    2:00pm                        The Volunteer Firemen’s Museum Bucket Brigade

    3:00pm                        Burning Memories: John Jay, Kingston, and the Legacies of the American Revolution lecture by Robb K. Haberman at the Old Dutch Church

    7:00pm                        Theatre on the Road’s Living History Cemetery Tour at the Old Dutch Church

    8:00pm                        Colonial Grand Ball at the Old Dutch Church, Bethany Hall

     

    The Senate House will be hosting its Autumn Festival, which will include reenactment of 18th century camp life such as demonstrations of apple cider pressing, meat smoking, hearthside cooking, dipping candles, making dried apple wreaths and cornhusk dolls. 

     

    New additions to the Burning of Kingston include Harambee Kingston’s special exhibit on display at the Persen House, and a lecture on Saturday that will discuss enslaved persons during the Revolutionary War and in Kingston during the burning. The lecture will be preceded and followed by singing of African hymns, and there will be a march to the Pine St. African Burial Ground where a ceremony will be held.

     

    “We are excited about the Burning of Kingston event and are appreciative of our partnerships old and new – from the Senate House’s Autumn Festival, where we can see what life was like in 1777, to the important addition of new voices,” said Mayor Noble. “We look forward to a fun and meaningful commemoration.”

     

    There are several volunteer opportunities and the public is encouraged to participate. The 2019 Burning of Kingston is looking for volunteers as well as those who would like to be involved in the reenactment of the Committee of Safety Meeting on Friday, October 18. If you are interested in being an event volunteer or a costumed reenactor, please contact Summer Smith at 845-334-3945 or [email protected]. Limited costumes are available to borrow.

     

    Visit www.burningofkingston.com or www.kingston-ny.gov/burningofkingston for more information and other ways to participate.