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According to a Newburgh Telegraph story of February 8, 1908, Captain Henry (Bully) Robinson, whose farm embraced what is now Washington Heights, was the first to bring goldfish to America. The 1853 mausoleum, thought to be designed by Andrew Jackson Davis, is the only Egyptian Revival monument in the world that consists of a pyramid erected atop a mastaba. Captain of a vessel engaged in trade with French ports, Robinson brought home a lot of “those pretty fish”, and put them in a pond on his farm. By 1835-36, he settled down in Newburgh to pass his declining years.
Although his life in Newburgh was one of retirement, Captain Robinson formed several rowing clubs, particularly the Newburgh Regatta Association in 1837, later the Newburgh Amateur Boat Club Association. He died on March 9, 1866, aged 83 years and 10 months. Legend has it that “Bully” was always promising his wife a mansion, which turned out to be the magnificent mausoleum. There were no surviving children, and it is believed that the family became extinct with the passing of other distant relatives.
In
1999, the Old Town Cemetery
Commission urged the City of Newburgh to restore the Robinson
Mausoleum and the job was awareded to Polonia, the architectural
restoration company owned by Geraldo Sanchez.
The photos below show the
dramatic restoration that was accomplished. Click
on a photo to see an enlargement.
Front View Before
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Front View After
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Door Before
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Door After
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Back View Before
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Back View After
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