Bevier-Elting House
Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY
"THE GATHERING" held on Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY August 13-15, 2010 was a wonderfully successful event . More than 200 cousins and friends enjoyed days of rare mild New York summer weather. It was an amazing educational, entertaining and unique event coordinated by the HHS staff, with assistance from volunteers and Family Association members.
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| HHS President and Family Collaboration Committee Chair Mary Etta Schneider visiting at the Friday Night "President's Reception" on LeFevre House lawn. |
Gathering near one of the ancient trees on the LeFevre House lawn.
Gathering around the abundant food available throughout the weekend's activities.
Gathering at the workshops---so many interesting workshops.
HHS Marketing Director Richard Heyl de Ortiz presented this one on African-American history.
Gathering in the LeFevre House Gallery to hear
HHS Curator Leslie LeFevre-Stratton
share the history of the ancestor portraits.
(This is the original home of Ezekiel and Magdalene (Elting) Elting)
Gathering at the ice cream social---a very popular event!
The historical significance of New Paltz's Huguenot Street is just being fully realized.
We descendants are justifiably proud that the homes of our ancestors have been preserved, that our collections and archives are professionally catalogued and subjected to ongoing preservation techniques. We are also very proud that our professional staff is recognizing the importance of not only preserving these amazing examples of American life through the centuries from the mid-1600s, but finding ways to share them in special gallery presentations, programming, tours and publications. We were happy to hear that HHS has been a leader in exploring ways to survive in the current economic situation.
The purpose of this gathering was two-fold:
- to provide an opportunity for the descendants and their family associations to meet together and share in the excitement of being together where our ancestors lived through the centuries, and
- to bring more focus and attention to the financial commitments necessary to continue the presentation of this amazing example of a truly American story.
If you can contribute, or if you know of a foundation that is still issuing grants for preservation and related projects, please contact me at gecastle@cluesonline.com, or call the HHS office at 845-255-1660.
