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

    8/15/2024 - City of Kingston & SUNY New Paltz Partner for Major Installation of Sojourner Truth Statue

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    August 15, 2024

     

    City of Kingston & SUNY New Paltz Partner for Major Installation of Sojourner Truth Statue

    “Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom” Opens September 28, 2024

     

    KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble and SUNY New Paltz President Dr. Darrell Wheeler are pleased to announce the opening of an 11-month installation of Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Kingston City Hall.

    Renowned sculptor Trina Greene’s Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom, a bronze statue of Isabella Baumfree Vanwagenen (later Sojourner Truth), depicted in 1826 as she is walking to freedom carrying her daughter, Sophia, will be displayed in the foyer at Kingston City Hall. The statue captures Truth’s escape from enslavement and the beginning of her heroic journey to advocate for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery.

    “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host an incredible piece of artwork and an integral piece of history here at City Hall in Kingston. Sojourner Truth’s legacy lives on through works like Trina Greene’s First Step to Freedom statue, and through our community members who strive to honor and emulate her work each day,” said Mayor Noble. “I want to thank Dr. Wheeler for entrusting the statue to Kingston for the public to enjoy-- it’s truly an honor. I also want to thank Kitt Potter, the City’s Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs, a true arts advocate, for her tireless efforts to bring important and meaningful art to City Hall and to expand the reach of the arts in the greater community.”

    “In consultation with key stakeholders from across campus and external community partners, this multi-year plan and opening in Kingston recognizes Truth’s significance to communities across the Hudson Valley and ultimately resolves with her presence on our campus,” said SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler. “Thank you to Mayor Noble, County Executive Metzger and their respective teams; sculptor Trina Greene; the Newburgh Free Library; and other collaborative partners who will support this humbling work.”

    “This journey honors Sojourner Truth’s chosen name. As an 19th century itinerate preacher, abolitionist, feminist and mother, Sojourner Truth traveled across the country sharing her truth. We also honor her commitment to education by eventually installing the sculpture at an institution of higher learning and through more than 50 years as the namesake of our campus library.” 

    On Saturday, September 28, the viewing opening at City Hall will be from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Programming will begin at 6:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers and will feature renowned actress Aixa Kendrick portraying Sojourner Truth, the Center for Creative Education dancers and drummers, Ulster County Poet Laureate Kate Hymes, and more. Light refreshments will be provided by Tilda’s Kitchen and Market. The event is free and open to all.

    During the opening reception, original court documents will be on display that outline the story of Sojourner Truth returning to Ulster County to secure the return of her 5-year-old son, Peter, who had been illegally sold to a plantation in Alabama. With the help of local attorneys, she filed a Habeas Corpus Petition in the Ulster County Courthouse in March of 1828.  She ultimately prevailed on the petition for her son’s freedom, marking the first time in American history that a Black woman sued a white man and won. 

    The Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom statue will be on display at Kingston City Hall during regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm) from September 30, 2024, until August 2025. The City of Kingston’s Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs will host group tours, artist talks, and programming throughout the installation that will contextualize the artwork and Sojourner Truth’s legacy.

    After the initial installation in Kingston, Ulster County will host the statue, where it will be integral to 2025 Sojourner Truth Day celebrations, and will then be installed at the Newburgh Free Library. After its tour, the statue will be permanently installed on the SUNY New Paltz campus.

    The Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom opening event is sponsored by the City of Kingston, SUNY New Paltz, Kingston’s Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Ulster County Tourism, Ulster Savings Bank, and Tilda’s Kitchen and Market. Special thanks to the Kingston Police Department Color Guard and the Radio Kingston tech team.   

    More about the artist Trina Greene at https://www.trinagreenesculpture.com/.

    For further information, please visit www.engagekingston.com/sojourner-truth-first-step-to-freedom.

     

     

     
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