Historic Huguenot Street, a designated National Historic Landmark District, invites you to step back in time and explore the heart of one of America’s oldest settlements. Spanning 10 picturesque acres, this remarkable site in New Paltz, New York, showcases 30 historic buildings, including an impressive collection of seven stone houses dating back to the early 18th century. More than just a collection of buildings, Historic Huguenot Street is a vibrant museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich tapestry of history woven by the early settlers of the Hudson Valley.
Founded in 1894 by descendants of the original Huguenot and Dutch families, the site began as the Huguenot Patriotic, Historical, and Monumental Society. Their initial mission was to safeguard the remnants of their unique French and Dutch heritage. Over the years, Historic Huguenot Street has evolved into a leading educational institution, chartered by the University of the State of New York. Today, the museum is committed to protecting its invaluable historic structures, meticulously conserving a significant collection of artifacts and manuscripts, and passionately promoting the compelling stories of the Huguenot Street families, from their 16th-century origins to the present day.
At the heart of Historic Huguenot Street’s mission is its exceptional archival collection. Generations of forward-thinking individuals and generous contributions from descendants and history enthusiasts have contributed to this treasure trove of historical documents. The Archives, mirroring the focus of their Library, are dedicated to the history and genealogy of the Hudson Valley’s early inhabitants – primarily families from the Low Countries of Europe, encompassing both French-speaking Huguenots and Dutch settlers. This commitment to preservation ensures that the stories of these pioneering families are accessible for researchers, historians, and anyone eager to delve into the past.
It is important to acknowledge that Historic Huguenot Street’s digital collections on platforms like New York Heritage may contain content and language that reflects the sensitivities of different eras. These primary source documents are products of their time and may contain language and viewpoints that are now considered outdated or offensive. Historic Huguenot Street is committed to providing access to these historical materials while also offering context. In descriptions and metadata, they strive to indicate instances where original language, particularly in document titles, descriptions, personal names (especially those of enslaved people), and notes, includes direct quotes from the original sources. This transparency helps researchers understand the historical context, even when encountering language that may be considered racist, sexist, ableist, or otherwise offensive by modern standards. Historic Huguenot Street diligently adheres to the subject headings established by the Library of Congress, ensuring their metadata remains consistent with evolving cataloging standards.
For those interested in exploring the archives further, it’s worth noting that not all documents held by Historic Huguenot Street Archives are currently digitized. However, a substantial collection is available online, including materials from partner institutions in the New Paltz Historic Documents project, such as the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection, the New Paltz Reformed Church, and the Town of New Paltz. The information presented in these digital collections is managed by HHS and is continuously updated based on ongoing research conducted and verified by their curatorial staff. Historic Huguenot Street welcomes community engagement and encourages individuals with corrections or additional information about any document or image to reach out via email, fostering a collaborative approach to historical accuracy and understanding.
