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 The third and final settlement of the Dutch, while they controlled the Hudson River Valley, is the Ulster County city of Kingston. In 1652, settlers moved from Fort Orange to an area where the Rondout Creek meets the Hudson River. There they farmed the fertile flood plains, but within five years land disputes between the settlers and the Esopus Indians brought both sides nearly to the brink of war. Dutch Governor, Peter Stuyvesant, seeing the strategic value in a fort located halfway between New Amsterdam and Fort Orange, ordered the settlers to move to a bluff overlooking the flood plain and sent troops to help build a stockade. The streets of the original walled village, named Wiltwyck, remain laid out today just as they were in 1658. The area is a state and national Historic District and it boats the largest number of original Dutch structures in entire Hudson Valley. The nearby town of Hurley was settled by the Dutch in 1662. Today 25 original stone houses still exist as private residences that are opened once a year to the public. BEVIER HOUSE MUSEUM/ULSTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2682 Rt. 209, Marbletown. Built in 1680’s as a one-room Dutch dwelling, the building reflects the history of the Hudson Valley and its inhabitants housing collections of 18th and 19th century furniture, decorative arts and tools. Open mid-May through October; Thurs.-Mon., 1pm-5pm and by appointment. 845-338-5614. www.bevierhousemuseum.org FRIENDS OF HISTORIC KINGSTON MUSEUM 63 Main St., Kingston. Guided walking tours of the 1658 Stockade National Historic District, the largest intact early Dutch settlement in New York State where many early settlers' old limestone houses still stand along streets laid out by Peter Stuyvesant. Tours depart first Saturdays May-October at 2pm from the Friends of Historic Museum; corner Main-Wall Streets opposite the Old Dutch Church. Group and private tours available by appointment: 845-339-0720. www.fohk.org HISTORIC HUGUENOT STREET 18 Broadhead Avenue, New Paltz. Founded in 1678 on the banks for the Wallkill River by a small group of Huguenot refugees, Historic Huguenot Street features seven original stone houses built in Dutch style, a burying ground of Dutch and Huguenot colonists from the early 1700s and a reconstructed 1717 stone church. Just steps from the shopping and dining of downtown New Paltz, the site offers charming green space and programs year-round. Guided tours are offered May through October. 845-255-1660 or 1889. www.huguenotstreet.org HISTORIC HURLEY & THE HURLEY HERITAGE SOCIETY MUSEUM 52 Main St., Hurley. Settled by the Dutch in 1661, Hurley’s Main Street is a national Historic Landmark District with 10 stone houses in a quarter-mile. The museum holds various displays of the town and changing exhibits of historical interest. Free walking maps of the historical district. Open weekends May-October, group and school tours by appointment. 845-331-4121. www.hurleyheritagesociety.org KIERSTED HOUSE MUSEUM 119 Main Street, Saugerties. Once the home of John Kiersted, a member of a prominent family in Ulster County dating back to the Colonial Dutch period, it is now home to the Saugerties Historical Society. Special events include historical reenactments and free seasonal concerts. Open weekends May-October. 845-246-9529. KINGSTON HERITAGE AREA VISITORS CENTER 308 Clinton Ave., Kingston. Built in 1837 by Thomas Van Gaasbeek, the Federal style house serves as the uptown information center for Kingston’s Heritage Area. Permanent historical and cultural exhibits as well as timely rotating exhibits year round. Open daily May-October; weekdays only November-April. 1-800-331-1518 or 845-331-9506. e-mail: kingstoninfo@ci.kingston.ny.us KLYNE ESOPUS HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM 764 Broadway (Rt. 9W), Ulster Park. Home of exhibits on Sojourner Truth, John Burroughs and Judge Alton B. Parker. Genealogy and local library on site. The museum is housed in a former Dutch Reformed Church, which was established in 1791 and built in 1827. 845-338-8109. www.klyneesopusmuseum.org LOCUST LAWN 400 Route 32 South, New Paltz. Set on Plattekill Creek, this site features the 1738 stone house of the Dutch Terwilliger family, who operated a successful saw and grist mill on the creek. Also featured is the striking Jeffersonian mansion built by Josiah Hasbrouck on the Terwilliger homestead. Guided tours offered weekends June through October. 845-255-1660 or 6070. www.locustlawn.org OLD DUTCH CHURCH & HERITAGE MUSEUM 272 Wall St., Kingston. Organized as a congregation in1659, it is Kingston’s oldest institution. The churchyard contains numerous beautifully carved early Dutch gravestones and the gravesite of George Clinton, NY’s first governor. Open weekdays for self-guided tours, or for guided tours of Church museum, cemetery and genealogy, call 845-334-9355. Main number: 845-338-6759. www.olddutchchurch.org THE HOFFMAN HOUSE RESTAURANT 94 North Front St, Kingston. Located in the 1658 Stockade area, musket holes found in the upper floor and steps in the attic leading to the roof point to its possible early use as a fort or lookout. Today, this registered national landmark of historic places is a fine continental restaurant with cozy fireside seating in the winter months and a lovely open air patio for visitors to enjoy in the warmer months. 845-338-2626. www.hoffmanhousetavern.com THE SENATE HOUSE 296 Fair Street, Kingston. New York State Senate convened its very first meeting here while it was the home of Abraham Van Gaasbeek. Built in 1676, the house reflects both the building traditions of the original Dutch colonists and the gradual acceptance of English construction styles. The adjacent museum contains the largest collection of John Vanderlyn paintings, drawings and papers in the country. Concerts, lectures and major events are offered throughout the year. Open April 15-Oct. 31 and year round by appointment. 845-338-2786 |
