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

    7/20/2026 - Civic Lottery for Kingston Charter Revision Commission Now Open to Residents

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    July 20, 2026

     

     

    Civic Lottery for Kingston Charter Revision Commission Now Open to Residents

     

    KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble and Kingston Common Council President Andrea Shaut wish to inform the public that a civic lottery will be held to randomly and equitably select Kingston residents to serve on the City’s Charter Revision Commission.

    Mayor Noble said, “Through this process, I hope that we will be able to involve as many Kingstonians as possible. I look forward to collectively working to ensure our charter is providing City government the necessary tools to navigate current and future needs of our residents.”

    Common Council President Andrea Shaut said, “This is an exciting and important moment for Kingston. Our community has the opportunity to shape a government that most effectively serves the interests of all residents. I sincerely hope that community members from all walks of life sign up to participate in this vital process; only through diverse voices and new perspectives can we ensure that our governance best serves the interests of all residents. Please consider being part of shaping a more effective, inclusive, and responsive government!”

    The City’s consultants at National Civic League will administer a civic lottery, which will randomly select 12 public members and two alternates to review Kingston’s City Charter and recommend potential changes.

    Kingston’s City Charter sets the foundation for how local government functions, including the powers of the Mayor and Common Council and how elections are organized. Because the charter determines how local laws and decisions are made, the review is a unique opportunity to shape local government for years to come.

    The Charter Revision Commission was established by the Kingston Common Council with Local Law 6 of 2025. The 18-member Commission will include three members appointed by the Mayor, three members appointed by the Common Council, and 12 members selected from the public through the civic lottery. The process, recommended by National Civic League, is designed to help ensure that the public members selected accurately reflect Kingston’s population. 

    Commission members will meet monthly over the next year to review the charter, gather public input, consider possible updates, and develop recommendations. The Commission’s work will focus on the structure and operations of City government, rather than individual policy issues.

    All Kingston residents interested in serving on the Commission must sign up for the civic lottery by August 17, 2026, at https://activote.app/e/NCL-KingstonCharter

    The sign-up form includes a community survey to provide input on the charter review process. Residents are encouraged to complete the survey whether or not they wish to serve on the Charter Revision Commission.

    Additional opportunities for public input, including a public forum, will be announced in the coming weeks. 

    More information at www.engagekingston.com/kingston-charter-revision.

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