The Grand Opening of Historic Huguenot Street on Saturday, May 2 is set to run from the 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting at the Museum Gift Shop to the last drop of champagne imbibed at 5 p.m. at the reception in the DuBois Fort. In between there will be a variety of free activities for all ages across the National Historic Landmark District, including live music, Colonial games and historic vignettes performed throughout the day. Come see the Abraham & Maria vignette on the 1799 LeFevre House lawn and play Colonial games on the DuBois Fort Lawn. Later, see Fighting on Two Fronts and a fiddle performance, all of which will be repeated during the afternoon. Kids can take a Junior Detectives’ Tour at 2 p.m., and there will be a champagne reception to end the festivities.
To honor the bravery and generosity of New Paltz first responders from the Police Department, Fire Department and Rescue Squad, the staff at Historic Huguenot Street has planned a special day of recognition and a noontime picnic for them. The whole community is invited to stop by the Deyo House lawn to join in paying friendly tribute to these individuals who give back so willingly to the town. All first responders and their families are welcome to tour the historic houses free of charge on Saturday. In case of rain, the picnic will take place in Deyo Hall at 6 Broadhead Avenue.
Meanwhile, shoppers will enjoy the completely redesigned Gift Shop, which will feature a bevy of new home goods and gifts, including handmade silver jewelry from Hudson Valley Goldsmith, chocolates from Krause’s and Oliver Kita, children’s toys from Maileg of Denmark and bath and body products from Secret Garden Soap of Madison, New Jersey. The Museum Shop is also now the exclusive area retailer of Beekman 1802 goatmilk bath and body goods by The Fabulous Beekman Boys. In addition, shoppers will find a selection of textiles, throws, yellowware pottery, pewter, mercury glass, candles and more. And in honor of the Grand Opening, food historian Peter Rose and local chef Agnes Devereux of the Village Tea Room Restaurant & Bake Shop have collaborated on Huguenot Snaps, a Colonial gingersnap-style recipe from the Historic Huguenot Street archives. These cookies will be available for purchase only on May 2, along with ten percent off all HHS-branded items throughout the day.
Looking ahead for more special activities at Historic Huguenot Street? Mark your calendar for Family Day on Sunday, June 21, when everybody gets in for free. And check out the schedules for Hidden History Archaeology Camp, Sessions I and II and Colonial Kids’ Living History Camp for young people in June and July. Communications and marketing manager Kaitlin Gallucci recommends the seasonally updated tours: four new guided tours and “in-the-moment” costumed interpreter tours, including the new one at the Crispell Memorial French Church. Tickets for guided tours cost $10 general admission, $8 for seniors and military personnel, free for members. In-the-moment tours cost $15 general admission, $12 for members, seniors and military. Note that Friday hours have been extended to provide for evening visits to the National Historic Landmark District.
Grand Opening/First Responders Picnic, Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Historic Huguenot Street, 88 Huguenot Street, New Paltz; (845) 255-1660, www.huguenotstreet.org.
Join the family! 
