Newburgh, like most communities in New York State, has a municipal historian. Her job is to direct the public to sources of information on the city’s past, provide historical context, promote the community's history and participate in discussions about city planning or activities that can benefit by information from the past. The Historian is also a key member of the Records Advisory Committee which works to ensure that municipal records are safely stored and monitored.

The City Historian is appointed by the City Council after selection by an independent search committee. The Historian reports to the City Manager. The job of Historian is unpaid except for a small annual stipend to cover expenses related to travel and research supplies.

The current City Historian is Mary McTamaney, a retired librarian and library administrator whose family first came to Newburgh in 1856.