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

    9/21/2021 - City Hall Tower Restoration Project Has Begun

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    September 21, 2021 

     

    City Hall Tower Restoration Project Has Begun

     

    KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that restoration of the City Hall bell tower is now underway. The project includes cleaning and masonry repointing on the tower exterior, masonry repointing on the tower interior, and minor repairs to the Council Chambers.

    An aerial lift has been placed near the front entrance at City Hall, and scaffolding will be erected around the tower later in the project. The City of Kingston has awarded a contract for tower cleaning and masonry restoration to PCC Contractors of Schenectady and Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation of Albany will be overseeing the construction management. Interior tower restoration is expected to be complete by April 2022 with the exterior repairs completed by July 2022. 

    “City Hall plays a major role in Kingston’s storied history. This project will ensure that the building is well maintained and remains resilient for future generations,” said Mayor Noble. All of the interior work is expected to be completed in time for the historic 150th anniversary of City Hall, which will be celebrated in May 2022.” 

    City Hall at 420 Broadway was built in 1872, after the towns of Kingston, Rondout, and Wilbur merged together to create the City of Kingston as we now know it. In 1927, a fire destroyed the tower and severely damaged the roof. During the extensive repair process, the Council Chambers were also built. When officials decided to move municipal offices to the Rondout area in 1972, the current City Hall sat vacant for over 20 years. In the mid-90s, a campaign to preserve the historic building raised $6.5million for its restoration. In 2000, the fully restored City Hall was reopened. The first phase of the City Hall tower project included a new roof and gutter repairs in 2019. The tower restoration is Phase 2 of that project.