Society Saturday: Historic Huguenot Street

Historic Huguenot Street will remember the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572 this weekend. On 24 August 1572, over 2,000 Protestants were slain in the city of Paris during what is now known as the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Public programming is planned to provide guests with a historic look back at the event and its effect on the future of the Huguenots in France.

A series of two educational and touching vignettes will be performed today at the DuBois Fort at noon and 4 p.m. Inspired by Giacomo Meyerbeer’s grand opera Les Huguenots (1836) and John Everett Millais’ pre-Raphaelite painting “A Huguenot, on St. Bartholomew’s Day, Refusing to Shield Himself from Danger by Wearing the Roman Catholic Badge” (1852), the vignettes will depict the circumstances of two star crossed lovers on the eve of the massacre. These performances are free and open to the public.

Throughout the weekend, the daily interpretation of the Crispell Memorial French Church will be updated to explore the events leading up to the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, its implications, and its eventual effect on the history of New Paltz. This interpretation is included as part of the daily tours at no additional cost.

In addition to these memorial programs, Historic Huguenot Street will also host a demonstration and workshop by master red ware potter Rick Hamelin from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. today at the 1799 LeFevre House. Hamelin will perform live on the wheel, throwing red ware and relaying the history of pottery and tile-making, and guests will be invited to partake in a pinch pot workshop led by Hamelin. Members, seniors, and military $10, non-members $15. Students free with ID. Pre-registration for the pinch pot workshop is encouraged; email kara@huguenotstreet.org to register.

This type of special programming is an example of Historic Huguenot Street’s commitment to engage guests and better connect them with the history and heritage of this National Historic Landmark District. Since re-opening earlier this year in May, the improved guest experience and diverse range of public programs have driven remarkable increases in visitation, donations, and membership. The staff and Board of Trustees of Historic Huguenot Street are committed to continuing on this path of change and growth.

A National Historic Landmark District, Historic Huguenot Street is a 501(c)3 non-profit that encompasses 30 buildings across 10 acres that was the heart of the original 1678 settlement, including seven stone houses that date to the early eighteenth century. It was founded in 1894 as the Huguenot Patriotic, Historical, and Monumental Society to preserve their French and Dutch heritage. Since then, Historic Huguenot Street has grown into an innovative museum, chartered as an educational corporation by the University of the State of New York, that is dedicated to protecting our historic buildings, conserving an important collection of artifacts and manuscripts, and promoting the stories of the Huguenot Street families, from the sixteenth century to today.

NOTE:
The above is a press release from Historic Huguenot Street.

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