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Sunday, July 26, 2020

Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, New York

Historic Huguenot Street is an opportunity to learn about French Protestants who settled in Colonial America to pursue religious freedom.

The Backstory:  As the population of Huguenots, Protestants in France, grew through the late 1500s, thousands were killed and injured during state-sponsored purges.  After a respite in the early 1600s,
persecution of French Protestants started again after King Louis XIV ascended the throne in 1643.  Violence erupted and 200,000 Protestants left France for other European Countries. 

The displaced immigrants found themselves living on the edge of society in the countries they fled to and wanted to create lives for themselves, free from violence. 

The vast expanse of The New World offered new possibilities for Huguenots wanting to practice their beliefs freely and without fear. 




A small group of Huguenots
arrived in New Paltz &
founded their community
in 1677.

The Jean Hasbrouck House 
was built in 1712. 








The DuBois House, built in
1706, was used as a Fort.




The Bevier House, built in
1698, has a well & a
rudimentary system to
open its grated cover. 




The first Stone Church was
built in 1717, followed by
its replacement in 1773.






The Reformed Church 
continues to hold
weekly services.




The Freer House was built in 1712.

I wonder why there's a large
opening on the second floor.











House was built in 1712.

 Historic Fact:  The kitchen was used for Cock Fighting.






It was expanded in the late
19th century.





History is all around us...  We need to be curious and willing to explore.  Historic Huguenot Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 as part of the effort to preserve America's history.  

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