Six buildings on a single acre (4,000 m²) are an intact remnant of the hamlet as it was developed in the middle of the 19th century, prior to the Hudson River Railroad's construction, which cut it in half.

On the south side, a former church building converted into apartments at 12 Main Street is not included due to those modifications.

New Hamburg began as a port community on the river, with ships loaded and unloaded along nearby Point Street and then taken to Poughkeepsie and Wappingers Falls via road.

An 800-foot (240 m) tunnel[9] was built through a hillside north of town, and the work being done there triggered the development of Main Street as a commercial area.

The Central House's steeply-pitched front cross-gable is the most notable application, showing the sophistication of the Picturesque mode.