Residents of the City of Newburgh and other community members are invited to a second public archaeological dig at Weigand’s Tavern at 326 Liberty St to help uncover the history of those here before in Newburgh and learn about the process of archaeology. Weather dependent, the dig will begin at the tavern on Liberty St at 9 a.m. and will go through to 4 p.m. from July 17 to 28.

In 2021 during the first dig, artifacts dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries were discovered at the site that included fragments of clay pipes, glassware, ceramics, buttons, coins, and metal objects. “What we discovered was that every shovel full of dirt had an artifact in it,” said Orange County Historian Johanna Porr. “We’re building an understanding of early Newburgh.”

Porr alongside Thomas Dodd, President of the Newburgh Preservation Association return once again for the dig and have since worked and planned with their respective groups to make the dig possible. The project has been approved by the New York State Office of Historic Preservation and other partners for the dig include the Orange County Incorporated Chapter of the New York State Archaeological Association, the Newburgh Preservation Association, the Orange County Semiquincentennial Commission and the Office of the Orange County Historian.

During the dig in 2021 according to Porr, Kailey Loughran, a master’s degree student at SUNY Albany, helped conduct research and analyses of the artifacts while Kristen Clyne-Lehmann, a CRM (Cultural Resource Management Archaeologist) and a PhD student at SUNY Binghamton wrote about the dig experience and importance of it in her PhD process. At the 2023 New York State Archaeological Association’s annual meeting, Porr, Loughran and Clyne-Lehmann presented a co-written paper to the state group which led to even more support and overall enthusiasm to see the dig happen once again. “We’re doubling the size of the operation and bringing in more volunteers, and engaging the local public as much as we can in order to make new discoveries,” said Porr. “This time, we know that we have to pay more attention to the time and the care that it takes to do the artifact cleaning and the artifact processing.”

The historic tavern was named after Martin Weigand or Wegant, the original owner. He and his wife Susan opened the tavern in the city in 1753 and it was once located on Broad St. The tavern served as a meeting/social place for all those in Newburgh including General George Washington. During the Revolutionary War period, the tavern was physically moved and served as a gathering place for supporters and opposers of British rule. Unfortunately, the tavern sat idly in the city, in need of extensive repairs. Unsuccessful restoration attempts in the 1970s left the building vacant for six decades. Dodd, several years ago with his wife, purchased the building in hopes of restoring it. Similar to the tavern, the Dutch Reformed Church along Grand Street also requires extensive work to which Dodd and Porr have equal concerns about its condition.

With the tavern now restored and operational, the continued goal is to turn the building into an open communal space for programming and to serve as a reminder of the city’s history. “I’m committed to making the tavern a public place to meet and talk and learn and literally, you know, feel history between your fingertips. I think it’ll help the community understand how important this historical fabric is to Newburgh’s future,” said Dodd. “We’re hoping to get more kids to come and sort of get really jazzed about reading about history and learning about history. It’s their history.”

For the community, volunteers are welcomed to participate in screening soil, artifact cleaning and cataloging. Clyne-Lehmann will serve as an advisor to those involved. Loughran will guide visitors through artifact analysis and tours will be given by Porr during the time there.

Community members may bring their children to the dig but are asked that the children be supervised. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver and wear protective gloves while at the site.