NEWS RELEASE: Historic Huguenot Street Announces Fourth Saturday Lecture on Hudson Valley Kasten With Board Trustee Sanford Levy

NEW PALTZ, NY (June 11, 2015) – Historic Huguenot Street has announced its upcoming Fourth Saturday event for Saturday, June 27 – a lecture by antiques expert and Historic Huguenot Street Trustee Sanford Levy discussing the material culture of Hudson Valley kasten (18th- and early 19th-century Dutch-style cupboards, singular kast).

Although variations exist, the typical kast is a large, free-standing cupboard or wardrobe with two paneled doors surmounted by an over-scaled, molded cornice. The cupboard usually sits on a base with a single drawer or drawers and ball-shaped feet. Levy’s lecture at Deyo Hall (6 Broadhead Avenue) will explore the ways in which the Hudson Valley kast developed from its European background, the many styles of construction, and the changes in style from the 18th century to the 19th century.

“Historic Huguenot Street currently houses one of, if not the largest collections of Hudson Valley kasten in the country,” explained Levy. “We are currently seeking information about privately-owned Hudson Valley kasten to expand public knowledge of these important pieces of material culture” An exhibit, symposium, and fully-illustrated compendium is being planned for 2017.

The 5 pm lecture will be followed by a private reception and behind-the-scenes tour of the kasten in the Historic Huguenot Street collection as seen in a house setting. Catered by The Village TeaRoom, the reception will take place at the DuBois Fort Visitor Center (81 Huguenot Street) and the tour will depart at 6:30 pm.

Preregistration is strongly encouraged – register at huguenotstreet.org/rsvp.
Lecture only: Members $10, seniors and military $12, general admission $15.
Lecture, Reception, & Tour: Members $20, seniors and military $22, general admission $25.

A National Historic Landmark District, Historic Huguenot Street is a 501(c)3 non-profit that encompasses 30 buildings across 10 acres that was the heart of the original 1678 New Paltz settlement, including seven stone houses that date to the early eighteenth century.  It was founded in 1894 as the Huguenot Patriotic, Historical, and Monumental Society to preserve the nationally acclaimed collection of stone houses. Since then, Historic Huguenot Street has grown into an innovative museum, chartered as an educational corporation by the University of the State of New York, that is dedicated to protecting our historic buildings, conserving an important collection of artifacts and manuscripts, and promoting the stories of the Huguenot Street families, from the sixteenth century to today. 

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Contact
Kaitlin Gallucci
Communications & Marketing Manager
(845) 255-1660
media@huguenotstreet.org