The seven stone houses and several accompanying structures in the 10-acre National Landmark Historic District were likely built in the early 18th century by Huguenot settlers fleeing discrimination and religious persecution in France and what's now southern Belgium.

After negotiating with the Esopus Indians, this small group of Huguenots settled on a flat rise on the banks of the Wallkill River in 1678.

The settlers named the site in honor of Die Pfalz, the region of present-day Germany that had provided them temporary refuge before they came to America.

[3] Archaeological finds indicate that the immediate area settled by the Huguenots was occupied by Native Americans prior to European contact.

[2][4] In addition to the houses, the 10-acre (4.0 ha) site features a burying ground dating to the early 18th century, a reconstructed 1717 stone church, a visitor center, a library and archives, and spaces for other programming.

In the 1950s and '60s, the organization and related family associations purchased most of the remaining stone houses in the district and subsequently opened them as museums.

Dating to the very early 18th century, the house was originally a one-room building built with the narrow or gable end facing the street—then the prevailing style of the low countries of Northern Europe.

Also built in 1721 by Jean's son Jacob (and perhaps incorporating elements of an early home built by New Paltz founder Jean Hasbrouck), this home is an excellent example of Hudson Valley Dutch architecture and the showpiece of Historic Huguenot Street.

A National Historic Landmark in its own right, it boasts the only remaining original jambless fireplace of any of the Huguenot Street houses, and is one of the few surviving examples in what was formerly the New Netherland.

Interior restoration followed, resulting in a house that is an excellent example of how a comfortable family in the region lived in the mid-18th century.

Built ca 1705 for the DuBois family, it might have served as a fortified place for protection for the small community if needed.

The DuBois Fort currently serves as the orientation center and gift shop, as well as a location for special events.

It began as a one-room house, was subsequently expanded to two rooms, and ultimately to three when a stone addition was added off the rear by Pierre's grandson Abraham.

It was a private home until 1971, when it was purchased by the Deyo Family Association and donated in order to be opened to the public as a house museum.

Some results of research can be found at the HHS site at "Relations between the Huguenots of New Paltz, NY and the Esopus Indians.

The "Before Hudson" exhibit, currently on view at the DuBois Fort Visitor Center, shows some of the highlights of archaeological excavation in our area with artifacts dating back 6,000-8,000 years ago.

The historical record of slavery in New Paltz begins in 1674, three years before its founding, when Louis DuBois purchased two African slaves at a public auction held in Kingston (then called Esopus).

HHS also has an online exhibit called The Missing Chapter: Untold Stories of the African-American Presence in the Mid-Hudson Valley All of the following Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) documentation is filed under New Paltz, Ulster County, NY: