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NEWBURGH, N.Y. -- A Newburgh National Historic Landmark is getting a facelift thanks to students at the Newburgh Free Academy. Students gathered Friday at the Dutch Reformed Church to continue their efforts restoring this once-opulent national landmark to its former glory.

The World Monuments Fund has partnered with several local organizations in sponsoring the program.

The five-week field school provides hands-on specialized training in preservation crafts to the community participants.

Representatives said it's a win-win situation for the students and the structure.

Newburgh Preservation Association Vice President Stuart Sachs said, "Kids that grow up in Newburgh often look around and they see these crumbling old structures that are perhaps more interesting to them as vehicles for vandalism than as vehicles for preservation. But by actually learning how to work in the buildings and learning a little bit about the history of the buildings they learn to appreciate the buildings."

"It's a really great experience," said Newburgh student Matthew Farmer. "A lot of people recognize what we're doing. Even today I was buying breakfast and this woman actually knew that I was working at the church because of my shirt but also she said that when she went to England she had actually seen this church on a towel she bought so it's actually a really important church known throughout the world."

Student participants will be rewarded with one elective class credit for their summer-long efforts, thanks to the support of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District.