A Holiday on Huguenot Street & Community Tree Lighting
Friday, November 30, from 5 PM to 8 PM and Saturday, December 1, from 10 AM to 4 PM
Historic Huguenot Street and the Reformed Church of New Paltz present A Holiday on Huguenot Street on November 30 and December 1, featuring holiday tours, a craft fair, horse-drawn wagon rides, farm animals, and more. The series of events will begin at 5 pm on Friday, November 30, with Historic Huguenot Street’s special Holiday Tours that last about 45 minutes and will be taking place at 5, 6, and 8 PM.
This year’s A Holiday on Huguenot Street tours will explore seasonal and holiday traditions practiced by different cultures in New Paltz over the centuries. The tour will begin at the replica Esopus Munsee wigwam where an interpreter will share traditional Munsee stories and New Year customs. Next, visitors will watch a vignette in the Abraham Hasbrouck House featuring two actors portraying Hasbrouck children in the mid-18th century as they delve into French Huguenot and Dutch traditions. Finally, tour-takers will become special guests of the Deyo House during an in-the-moment tour with Gertrude Deyo Brodhead, a wealthy Victorian socialite, who will share all of her lavish Christmas plans in her meticulously-decorated home. Tours will run about 45 minutes long.
From 5 to 8 pm, the Misty Mountain Girl Scout Troop will host a cookie walk to support Local at Heart, while working toward their Community Service and Cooking badges. This year Local at Heart has a new partnership with the SUNY New Paltz Dining Services by Sodexo. Their chef's will be baking gluten free and vegan options. An additional new partner is the Bruderhof Woodcrest Community. Also at 5 pm, the Reformed Church’s annual Craft Fair will open in the Wullschleger Education Building, followed by Soup on the Stoop on the steps of the Church at 6 pm. Greens, crafts, and ornaments are being sold in the education building Friday 5 to 8 pm and Saturday 9 to 2 pm.
At 7 pm the community will participate in a Paper Lantern Light Parade, beginning at the Reformed Church and proceeding to the Deyo House lawn for Historic Huguenot Street’s annual Community Tree Lighting. Paper lanterns may be pre-ordered in advance online at huguenotstreet.org/shop and can be purchased that evening at the Craig House at 18 Broadhead Avenue. During the tree lighting, come listen to festive holiday carols performed by Historic Huguenot Street’s own a cappella choir, the Huguenot Heralds!
Guests are welcome to take free photos with Santa on the Deyo House porch following the tree lighting until 8 PM, at which point the Reformed Church will host a free holiday concert in the sanctuary with local musical group Wind and Stone.
On Saturday, December 1, Historic Huguenot Street’s Holiday Tours will be leaving from the Museum Shop at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm. The Misty Mountain Girl Scout Troop will continue their cookie walk from 10 am to 3 pm.
In the Wullschleger Education Building from 9 am to 2 pm, children can participate in a build a bear workshop.
At 11 am, all are invited to the Church’s Christmas Café in the Social Hall (92 Huguenot Street) until 2 pm. Frank Kraat and his crew will be serving delicious soups and special sandwiches, along with homemade desserts in the church’s Social Hall (enter via the side door to go downstairs in the church). Have lunch, or just dessert and coffee, visit with your friends in Holiday surroundings! Immediately after, there will be a free holiday concert featuring the Big Blue Big Band in the Church’s sanctuary.
Beginning at 12 pm, Historic Huguenot Street will host horse-drawn wagon rides along the street. Rides will be available every 15 minutes from 12 to 3 pm for $5 (children 3 and under are free), departing from the DuBois Fort. Visitors can also meet and pet local farm animals and learn about these friendly creatures from our local 4-H members.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How long does the tour last?
A: The holiday tour lasts about 45 minutes.
Q: How much walking is involved in the tour?
A: The path of this year’s tour runs from the replica Esopus Munsee wigwam, to the Abraham Hasbrouck House, to the Deyo House. This equates to about 0.21 miles of walking.
Q: Does the tour take you inside of the houses?
A: Yes. This year’s tour will bring visitors into the replica Esopus Munsee wigwam, the Abraham Hasbrouck House, and the Deyo House. It is important to note that visitors will not be going into the Bevier-Elting House, the Jean Hasbrouck House, or the 1717 reconstructed French Church this year.
Q: Is the tour any different than the one I saw last year?
A: Actually, yes! Our public programming department has worked hard to incorporate the wigwam and the seasonal traditions of the Esopus Munsee people into this year’s tour. You will also see an updated interpretation in the Abraham Hasbrouck House, including the introduction of a new character – Jonas Hasbrouck. The holiday interpretation for the Deyo House, however, a visitor-favorite, has remained unchanged since 2017.
Q: Can I purchase my ticket at the door?
A: Technically, yes. However, we highly recommend that you purchase your tickets online ahead of time. Tours sell out quickly. Due to the historic nature of the houses, we have very strict limits on how many visitors can be on each tour, which means that once a tour sells out, we do not have the ability to squeeze on any extra guests – no matter how far you’ve traveled or how much you were looking forward to attending.
Q: Is the tour appropriate for children?
A: The tour is great for children and adults alike! This program is the perfect way to get your family in the holiday spirits while learning a bit about history and your very own community.
Q: Where should I park?
A: Our parking lot is located at 6 Broadhead Avenue, New Paltz, NY 12561. Our Visitor Center, which is where you should check in for your tour, is just a short walk from the parking lot.
Q: Do I have to check in?
A: Yes! Please check in at the DuBois Fort Visitor Center by presenting your event registration confirmation email at the front desk. This is also where you can purchase your tour tickets if you have not yet done so.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress warmly! Many of the buildings on the tour have little or no heat. Coats, scarves, and gloves are highly recommended! If needed, you can purchase hand warmers in our Museum Shop before you leave for the tour.
Q: Where can I purchase paper lanterns for the Community Tree Lighting Friday, November 30?
A: Paper lanterns may be pre-ordered in advance online at huguenotstreet.org/shop and can be purchased that evening at the Craig House at 18 Broadhead Avenue.
$15 General Admission for special Holiday Tours
$13.50 (This is a 10% discount for HHS members, seniors, students, active military members, veterans, and children under the age of 13.
All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.
Sponsored by Americas Best Value Inn of New Paltz, Ulster Savings Bank, Riverside Bank, A Division of Salisbury Bank and Trust Company, Redfin, and Stewart’s Shops.