New Paltz is a town originally founded by Huguenots who had left France, and traveled through Germany and/or the Netherlands attempting to get away from religious persecution. Eventually a group settled here, built homes and organized a political body to oversee their settlement. They were relatively successful and today their descendants have set up an organization to preserve their cultural heritage.

After the American Revolution, the town became part of the United States and integrated into today's county, state and federal government. Over the years, the extremely severe Calvinism moderated and the Dutch Reformed church had some influence. Today New Paltz is a sizable town which includes a campus of the State University of New York. A portion of the original settlement is referred to as Huguenot Street. There is a visitor center with a video about the history and there are tours through some of the buildings. There is a stream and a bike trail near the grounds.

Our first arrival was late in the afternoon on a drizzly dreary day. We went into the Huguenot Street Visitor's Center and saw the video but it was too late to do the tour, which given the weather wasn't that appealing anyway. So quite by accident we wound up at The Village Tea Room and had an excellent dinner in a small out of the way place. On our way homeward the following day, we stopped again and toured the houses on a beautiful sunny day.

This gallery is part of the 2014 tour!