Huguenot Street Historic District

Huguenot Street Historic District is a historic district located in New Paltz, New York, United States, that showcases the region's rich Huguenot heritage, with influences from French architecture, Dutch architecture, and English architecture. The district features several historic homes, including the Jean Hasbrouck House, Abraham Hasbrouck House, and Bevier-Elting House, which are now part of the Huguenot Historical Society's museum collection, similar to the Smithsonian Institution's holdings. The area is also home to the Old Dutch Church, a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Reformed Church in America's RCA archives. Nearby institutions, such as SUNY New Paltz and the New York State Museum, offer additional resources for studying the district's history.

● History

The Huguenot Street Historic District has a long and complex history, dating back to the early 18th century when Huguenot refugees, including Pierre Billiou and Louis DuBois, settled in the area, fleeing persecution in France and Belgium. The district's history is closely tied to that of the Dutch West India Company and the Esopus Indians, with whom the Huguenots interacted and traded, as recorded in the New York Colonial Manuscripts and the Hudson River Valley's historical accounts. The area was also influenced by the American Revolution, with notable figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin visiting the region, and the Treaty of Paris (1783) shaping the district's development. The district's history is preserved through the efforts of organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which work to protect sites like the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site and the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.

● Architecture

The Huguenot Street Historic District features a unique blend of architectural styles, including Dutch Colonial architecture, French Colonial architecture, and English Colonial architecture, as seen in the Jean Hasbrouck House and the Bevier-Elting House. The district's buildings, such as the Old Dutch Church, showcase the use of local materials, including bluestone and wood, and feature distinctive architectural elements, such as steeply pitched roofs and central chimneys, similar to those found in the Hudson River Valley's other historic districts, like the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and the Philipsburg Manor House. The district's architecture is also influenced by the work of notable architects, including Andrew Jackson Downing and Calvert Vaux, who designed buildings like the Vanderbilt Mansion and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

● Preservation

The Huguenot Street Historic District has been the subject of preservation efforts by organizations like the National Park Service and the New York State Historic Preservation Office, which work to protect the district's historic buildings and landscapes, such as the Walkway Over the Hudson and the Minnewaska State Park Preserve. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated National Historic Landmark, recognizing its significance as a cultural and historical resource, similar to the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. The Huguenot Historical Society and the Historic Hudson Valley organization also play important roles in preserving the district's history and architecture, through programs like the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

● Tourism

The Huguenot Street Historic District is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world, including those interested in genealogy and historic preservation, who come to explore the district's historic homes, museums, and landscapes, such as the Mohonk Preserve and the Shawangunk Ridge. The district offers a range of activities and events, including guided tours, re-enactments, and living history programs, similar to those found at the Plimoth Plantation and the Colonial Williamsburg. Visitors can also explore the nearby Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River Valley, which offer a range of outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking and kayaking, and cultural attractions, like the Bard College and the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts.

● Geography

The Huguenot Street Historic District is located in the Hudson River Valley, in the town of New Paltz, New York, near the Wallkill River and the Shawangunk Mountains. The district's geography is characterized by its proximity to the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains, which offer scenic views and outdoor recreational opportunities, similar to those found in the Adirondack Park and the Finger Lakes region. The district is also near other historic sites, including the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site and the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, and is accessible by car or public transportation, via the New York State Thruway and the Metro-North Railroad. Nearby institutions, such as SUNY New Paltz and the Culinary Institute of America, offer additional resources for studying the district's geography and history.

Category:Historic districts in New York