Thanks to the generosity of the Kaplan Foundation, the treasure that became known as the Desmond Campus for Adult Enrichment will soon spring back to life.

Many residents were upset when the 50-acre Balmville estate, bequeathed by the late Alice Curtis Desmond to Mount Saint Mary College was shuttered and placed on the market earlier this year. The campus facility, under the direction of the MSMC adjunct staff offered a variety of courses, lectures, art exhibits and day trips. But the year 2020, as we all know, has not been kind. Hard times forced the college to cut staff and, earlier this year, announced plans to sell the spacious campus with its Victorian “cottage” dating back to 1856, and its arboretum that featured a variety of rare trees and flowering shrubs.
Tom and Alice Curtis Desmond were renaissance people. He was a successful businessman who entered politics and served as State Senator. She was an author of historical novels and biographies. Together they traveled the world when the state senate was not in session. They had no children, but left a legacy of culture and philanthropy. She left her estate and money for its upkeep to the college for the enrichment of her community.

Enter William Kaplan whose philanthropy has already touched many lives. He offered a grant to the Town of Newburgh to keep the Desmond legacy alive. It was announced last week that the Town of Newburgh would receive a $1 million grant to purchase the property (with $300,000 of that grant money earmarked for maintenance and upkeep of the property.) Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio released a vision statement in which he declared that the Desmond Campus would become the focal point of the town “by making it a municipal park and a center devoted to adult education, arts, creativity, physical activities, social engagement and healthy lifestyles as well as public open space in which conservation and educational enrichment is provided to all residents.”

The Center will continue to provide a wide array of courses ranging from academic classes to exercise classes, health and wellness programs, and many other activities. The park’s open space will be improved by a trail system which will include signage and kiosks with educational content regarding the ecology of the park and its environs. Programs once offered by the college will now fall under the auspices of the Town of Newburgh Recreation Department. With proper care and direction, it could thrive as the center of arts, education and culture for which it was intended, and could make the town and surrounding communities a more desirable place to live, work and play.