Newburgh Colored Burial Ground

Newburgh Colored Burial Ground is an archaeological site buried beneath a parking lot near Broadway and Robinson Avenue in Newburgh. Excavations uncovered more than one hundred graves arranged in seven orderly rows across the plot.

The burial ground operated from 1832 until 1867, serving the African American community during a critical period. A school was built directly over it in 1908 without relocating the remains, causing the site to vanish from public knowledge for generations.

The burial ground reflects how the African American community honored its deceased through Christian burial practices arranged in organized rows. Artifacts found at the site reveal personal belongings that family members chose to place with the departed.

The site is not openly accessible as it lies beneath a parking lot and adjacent building. Information about the burial ground and future memorial plans can be found through local historical organizations and museums.

Excavation of the site began unexpectedly during renovations to modern structures at the location. The remains and artifacts are now held at a university and provide researchers with direct evidence of an African American community that had been erased from official historical records.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 41.50070,-74.02140

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:20