Where History Continues to be Written

The Gathering is a three-day "family reunion."  The event begins on Friday evening, with casual cocktails on the lawn for those who have arrived early.  Saturday is the main day of the event, filled with workshops for adults and older kids and children's activities for the smaller ones — and two communal meals (which are included in the price of admission). Activities continue into Saturday evening. Sunday morning activities, including a service in the Crispell Memorial French Church, round out the event.

Schedule

For more information about any program or event, simply click on the title

Please note that there may be some changes between this schedule and the final schedule of the Gathering.  You will receive an up-to-date schedule when you check in.

Workshop and Activity Descriptions

Following is a list of workshop and activity descriptions in alphabetical order.  If you need more information, please email or call us at (845) 255-1660.

The Abe: Restoration in Progress

The Abraham Hasbrouck House is closed to the public as we restore the house and prepare for a reopening in early fall 2011.  With P.J. Preuss, Historic Preservation Officer, you'll see up and close and personal what is going on with Abe and learn about how we came to make the decisions we did about restoration.

Archives Underground

Go where few people have gone before — the Archives!  See some of the remarkable documents, letters, journal and photographs in the Archives collection.  2:15 session led by Executive Director Eric Roth. 3:15 session led by Susan Stessin-Cohn.

Before Hudson: Native Americans and Our Founders

Archaeology at Historic Huguenot Street in recent years has greatly improved our understanding of how Native Americans lived on and used this land before the Huguenots.  But what do we know about how our founders and Native Americans interacted?  How did they come to buy this land?  And what about after the "Indian Deed?"  Richard Heyl de Ortiz, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, will delve into a topic sure to intrigue.

Before New Paltz: Early History of Our Founders

Where were they before they founded New Paltz?  It's a question we get often here at Historic Huguenot Street and Executive Director Eric Roth will explore the pre-New Paltz history of our community's founders.  Where and when did they move around Europe?  Where and when did they settle once they came here to the New World?  The answers to these and other questions will be explored in this workshop.

Before Stone:  Early Structures of New Paltz

Current scholarship tells us that the Huguenots did not build their first stone house until 1705.  So what did they live in the first 25 years after they founded New Paltz?  Architectural Designer and volunteer Amanda Lewkowicz will give you the highlights of a very popular presentation she gave for our March Second Saturdays talk.

Behind the Scenes in Collections Storage

With so much attention focused on the unique and much-loved houses of Huguenot Street, it can be easy to forget that HHS also boasts an impressive collection of furnishings, textiles and smalls — those items that give life to our furnished house museums and can sometimes be the most intriguing.  Curator of Collections Leslie LeFevre-Stratton will take you behind the scenes into our collections storage facility to show off some of our more unique items and tell you how and where we care for these treasured objects.

Children's Activities

Historic Huguenot Street is about much more than the past.  It's about the future too.  That's why we encourage you to bring your kids . . . and your grandkids too.  While you are enjoying the workshops, we'll make sure that the "younger set" is having fun and learning about history in their own way.  Sarah Wassberg, Director of Visitor Services at Historic Huguenot Street, will develop a schedules of games and activities tailored to the age groups attending the Gathering. 

Colonial Fashion Show

So just what did they wear 300 year ago?  200?  Inspired by the collections of Historic Huguenot Street and other historic sites, this fashion show will help sort out the mysteries of colonial and early American dress.

Cultural Pluralism in the Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley was culturally pluralistic in the 18th century, meaning that many cultures vied for identity at the same time. Native Americans, Dutch, English, French, Germans, Africans, West Indians, Scandinavians, Scots, Irish, Poles, Jews and more jockeyed for recognition of their own cultural traditions and, when their numbers were large enough, the power to assert them. Yet, the society ultimately held together. Firth Fabend, author of books such as A Dutch Family in the Middle Colonies, Land So Fair and Zion on the Hudson considers the glue that held it together, the contact points that enabled men and women of diverse backgrounds and interests to find common ground. She concludes that the glue was of two types, practical and pragmatic on the one hand, represented by the desirability of controlling land, and intellectual on the other, represented by such ideas as the traditional rights and liberties of the people, the separation of church and state, and the notion of "independency" both in church and state, and the idea of strength in union.

Early Women of New Paltz

Much of the story of Huguenot Street and New Paltz is told through the perspective of men and through the story of their lives.  This, however, leaves out much of the story.  Women played key roles in the early years of this community.  We'll give you a taste of this interesting and largely untold part of our history.  A very timely precursor to the 2011 reinterpretation of the Abraham Hasbrouck House.

Family Association Meetings

For those who are members of Family Associations affiliated with Historic Huguenot Street, we have set aside time on Saturday morning for Association meetings.  Want to know more about the Family Associations?  Click here.

Gathering Family Stories

Grace Elting Okesson, author of the recently-published Answering the Call! An Elting Military Tribute shares some her techniques for collecting and sharing family stories.

Genealogy 101

Esther Deyo Aldridge, Deyo Family Association genealogist will take you through the basics of genealogy.  Learn how to begin filling in your own family tree!

What Lies Beneath: Archaeology

Archaeologist Kevin Van Kleeck, Historic Preservation Assistant at HHS, and Freer descendent, will show you how the professionals unlock the secrets that "lie beneath." Kevin has participated in many digs on the street and has a strong understanding of the site's archaeological significance. Assisted by another Freer descendent, Meredith Gorres, leader of this summer's archaeological camps, Kevin will present the current dig site being worked by SUNY New Paltz.

Haunted Huguenot Street

Even if you live far away, you've probably heard about this very popular annual event.  Enjoy the magic of the Street by candlelight and follow your guide to learn about the darker side of our local folklore and history.

The Missing Chapter: Africans in Early New Paltz

The Dutch brought the first Africans to the colony in 1625.  Africans played a key role in the establishment of New Paltz and many other local villages.  Susan Stessin-Cohn will present the 1:15 workshop, which will build on her successful online exhibit.  Richard Heyl de Ortiz, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, will present the 3:15 workshop and will lead you through a discussion about African-Americans in New Paltz from the time of slavery, through the Civil War and into the 20th century.

Oral Histories

One of things that makes Historic Huguenot Street unique are the stories.  There are many, and through them, we preserve family history, give our visitors a real flavor of life over the past 300+ years on this Street and illustrate the very long-reach that a small group of French-speaking Huguenots had.  Have a memory of the Street, New Paltz or your family that you would like to share?  Volunteers will be on hand in the Library from 4:30 pm until 5:30 pm..

100 Years of Style: (1790-1900)

Many of us know just how special the Deyo House is.  Descendants and other guests from around the world marvel at the excellently restored home.  But did you know that under the roof of the Deyo House, in addition to the splendor of Abraham and Gertrude Brodhead's world, is a treasure trove of period clothing?  Susan Stessin-Cohn is intimately familiar with this collection and, in a very rare opportunity, will bring out some of our most special articles of clothing and share their stories.

Portrait Exhibit Guided Talk

The North Parlor of the LeFevre House will be reinvented as a gallery and program space. Hanging in the parlor will be a selection of portraits from the permanent collection at Historic Huguenot Street — many of them descendants of the patentees and other early families.  Join us for a guided talk about the portraits and their stories.

Presidents' Reception and Portrait Exhibit Opening

Friday evening at 5pm, all those who are in town early are invited to a Presidents' Reception. Held on the back lawn of the LeFevre House and, thanks to the generosity of a donor who wants to make sure all of our guests are well-fed, more than just cocktails.  Light dinner food and finger food.  A casual opportunity to say hello, catch up and see An Excellent Likeness, the newly-installed portrait exhibit in the LeFevre House.  There is an additional $10 per person charge for those who attend.

Preservation on the Street

How'd they do that?  P.J. Preuss, Historic Preservation Officer, will tell you how he and HHS approach preservation and tackle the challenge of caring for the houses of Historic Huguenot Street.  He will also share the best practices and philosophy behind preservation.

Researching Your Dutch Roots

Almost from the time they arrived in the New World, the Huguenots of New Paltz intermarried with the Dutch.  Many descendants have a lot of Dutch in the early branches of their family tree.  Finding out more about these early New York descendants can be particularly challenging.  Joan Kelley, library volunteer and member of the Freer-Low Family Association, will walk you through how to do this.

Standard House Tour

The museum houses will be open on a rotating basis on Saturday, but we thought it would be helpful to set aside time for guided tours during the day.  Perhaps you'd like to see your family's home with a guide?  Or maybe there is a house on the street you haven't seen or want to know more about.  Just meet at the DuBois Fort Visitor Center, let your guide know what you would like to see and he or she will lead you on the way.

Sunday Service in the Crispell Memorial French Church

A service in the French Church is a traditional part of many Family Association meetings. We are pleased to have Rev. Richard Lee Matson, who is a retired United Methodist minister from Michigan and a long-time member of the Bevier-Elting Family Association, to lead us in service.

Stories in Stone: The Old Huguenot Burying Ground

The Burying Ground on Huguenot Street holds a special charm and pull for all who visit the Street.  For over 300 years, the burying ground has been a testament to the triumphs, challenges and tragedies of this small but remarkable community.  Richard Heyl de Ortiz, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, will share his very popular Stories in Stone "walk and talk" with you.

Using the Library, Archives and Online Resources

Are you researching ancestors who lived in this area?  Genealogical research in New York can be difficult but the library at Historic Huguenot Street has many helpful resources. This workshop will review our family genealogies (and clues to their numbering systems) and church records (including how to locate the right church).  We'll also talk about online databases, local histories, bible records and many other resources that can help with your research.

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