This Historic Street In New York Offers The Perfect Way To Spend An Afternoon
By Lisa Sammons|Published June 10, 2022
×
Lisa Sammons
Author
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
If there’s one thing the Empire State is blessed with, it’s history. There are so many museums and historical sites in New York that it’s hard to keep track of them all. One place where you can see history come alive is Huguenot Street. This National Historic Landmark district in New Paltz contains seven museums housed in historic buildings, a reconstructed wigwam, and so much more. Consider yourself an expert on history? There’s always more to learn. Have a child you want to introduce to the history of the area? This is a great spot with plenty of interactive exhibits!
The seven houses that are present here were constructed in the early 19th-century by Huguenots who were fleeing France to escape religious persecution.
The area is so beautifully preserved now, it's easy to imagine what it looked like several hundred years ago. A walk down the street feels like you're stepping back in time.
This is one of the most historical places in New York. It's actually one of the oldest continuously inhabited streets in the entire country.
Tour guides do a fantastic job of explaining history from various perspectives, including that of the settlers, enslaved people that they owned, and Native Americans that lived in the area.
Guided tours are available seasonally, but you're welcome to explore the area on your own at any time of year. There are plenty of informative signs, and even a mobile app you can download.
The church that is on site is a replica of the stone church that was built in 1717. It was used for religious ceremonies and education, and served as the centerpiece of the community.
Fans of history should definitely check out the Huguenot Street Facebook. They post all kinds of interesting historical artifacts, such as this 18th-century Dutch plate.