About Our Town

Throughout the centuries, the abundant resources of the region, the natural beauty of the area, the hospitable climate, and the proximity to key metropolitan areas in the Northeast, have made New Paltz a vibrant, cultural and richly historic place that is welcoming to residents and visitors alike. 

In 1677, a group of twelve Huguenots (French Protestants), known as the "Duzine," purchased nearly 40,000 acres of land near the Wallkill River from the Esopus, which became known as the "New Paltz Patent." The founding families and their descendants built the stone houses that stand to this day in the National Historic Landmark District along Huguenot Street in the village of New Paltz.  The Esopus inhabited the New Paltz region for several centuries, however, by the time Dutch explorer Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River in 1609 in The Half Moon.

New Paltz is arguably best known around the world for its outdoor attractions, and for good reason. New Paltz offers a host of trail options for hikers & bicyclists, with some of the best views of the Hudson Valley. 

In addition, our area boasts an amazingly diverse range of cuisines, as well as twelve wineries on the Shawangunk Wine Trail that all follow the tradition of fine winemaking established by the early French Huguenot settlers who brought their wine making expertise to this valley over 300 years ago.  No matter what your taste, mood, or budget, there’s always something great to eat or drink in the Hudson Valley. Our region's farmers, winemakers, bakers and chefs are proud to have been early and vocal adopters of farm-to-table principles, and the idea that relationship-building between farmers and consumers yields delicious results.

Local and sustainable are more than a few trendy words in New Paltz and the surrounding region--they're a way of life.

Thanks to the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce and Historic Huguenot Street for the above information.

 

For information on the History of New Paltz, contact:

Town Historian, Susan Stessin-Cohn

New Paltz Chamber of Commerce - A History of New Paltz

Historic Huguenot Street - About the Huguenots

History of the SUNY New Paltz Campus

Visit Elting Memorial Library

Historic Preservation Commission

 

For information on Visiting New Paltz, visit these links:

New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce - Visit New Paltz

Historic Huguenot Street

Ulster County Tourism

Mohonk Preserve

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

 

For information on the "Fact & Figures" of New Paltz visit:

New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce - Fact & Figures