Each year on the second Saturday in July, some of America's oldest stone houses are opened to the public. This year, several of the 200-300-year old homes in the old Dutch village, settled 347 years ago, will be open for your enjoyment. The time you spend in each house is at your discretion.
Stone House Day
Hurley, New York - First settled in 1661
Saturday, July 12th, 2008
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, rain or shine
(Houses close promptly at 4 PM)
Showing several of "America's Oldest Private Homes"
59th Annual Stone House Day to Show 300-year-old Private Homes
 | Crispell House
The Jonathan Crispell House was built in 1725 by farmer Jonathan Crispell. It was owned by the family until 1836 when it was sold to the Hurley Church for use as a parsonage. |
 | Ten Eyck House
Dr. Richard Ten Eyck's House is unusual in that it has two stories (most have 1½). The house was built by the doctor as a wedding gift to his wife Jenett Baker in 1786 and is an indication of the family's wealth and social standing. |
 | Du Mond House
The VanEtten/Dumond (Spy) House, built prior to 1685, is the oldest colonial house in the town. During October and November 1777 the house was used by the Continental army as a guard house for prisoners and a "spy" was held in the basement dungeon. |
 | Ostrander-Elmendorf House (1709)
The original section of the Ostrander-Elmendorf House was built in 1709. Two later additions completed in the 1700's provided more living space and a weaving room to make linen. During the Revolutionary War period, the oldest section was used as a tavern which apparently was very popular. |
 | VanDeusen House
The Jan VanDeusen Jr. House was built in 1744 by Captain Jan. This house is one of the earliest rural Georgian cottages in the town. The parlor served as the meeting room for the NYS Committee of Safety during the Revolutionary War. |
 | Patentee Manor
The Patentee Manor, an excellent Georgian, is a two-story house built by the Cole family. It represents the ultimate in upper-middle class wealth and social status. Although the owners were of Dutch descent, the style was strongly influenced by the nearby English community. |
 | Ten Eyck Bouwerie House
The Ten Eyck Bouwerie was originally the homestead of Matys Ten Eyck. In the early 1700's, Matys was a large landowner who farmed, raised grains, and created extensive orchards. He was part-owner of the Ten Eyck-Newkirk Grist Mill. |
 | Newkirk House The Benjamin Newkirk House was built about 1750, and is unique in that it still has the original basement kitchen. This house was owned and occupied by the Newkirk family for 200 years. |
The annual opportunity to tour historic Hurley stone houses will be Saturday, July 12, 2008. The stone houses, which are homes owned and lived in currently by Hurley residents, were originally built between 1685 and 1786. Several of the homes will be opened to the public from 10 AM through 4 PM; rain or shine. Main Street of Hurley will be closed to traffic in order to provide a safe, leisurely walking tour to five of the seven houses. There will also be a free shuttle bus service in order for ticket holders to reach the two remaining stone houses on the tour. This is the 59th year the Hurley Reformed Church has sponsored this event, but it is a community event made possible by the involvement from the townspeople.
You can experience "a step back in time" on your visit. As you tour the houses and are greeted by guides in costume, you have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our forefathers, and yet this event encompasses so much more. Music lovers will enjoy an 1800's instrumental ensemble called "Salmagundi" in one of the stone houses and organ recitals by two organists, Lonnie Kulick and Justin Foster, in the Hurley Reformed Church. Also in a stone house on your tour will be a display of past and present cross stitched pieces, and a chance for you to learn cross stitching by crafter Lori Baker.
The 3rd Ulster County Militia encampment, where Militia and their wives offer a re-enactors view of what camp life was like. Colonial rifle demonstrations will also take place. Re-enactors will be there to answer visitor's questions.
A brand new addition is a performance, by talented Debra Zuill, of Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman?" Sojourner gave this speech in 1851 as she bravely battled against many black women's social injustices and lack of freedoms.
Homemade food will be served in the Church Hall throughout the day as well as a home-baked goods booth, handmade craft items and Grandma's Garret. The Hurley Library will have their gigantic book sale; the Hurley Genealogical Society and the Hurley Heritage Museum will be open, to the public; within walking distance visit two antique shops and numerous community yard sales.
Houses on Tour: One of the five houses on Main Street is the Dr. Richard Ten Eyck house, the only full two-story stone house. The house was built by the doctor as a wedding gift to his wife, Jenett Baker in 1786 and indicates the family's wealth and social standing.
Across the street is the Anthony Crispell House built in1725 by Jonathan Crispell, a farmer. This house was owned by the Crispell family until 1836, when it was sold to the Hurley Church as a parsonage. Inside will be a house tour and an interactive table for the children and "young at heart" who would like to learn basic cross stitch and take home their efforts.
Also on Main Street is the Jan VanDeusen house, built in 1744 by Captain Jan. This house, built as one unit, is one of the earliest rural Georgian cottages built in the town. The parlor served as the meeting room for the New York State Committee of Safety during October and November of 1777 of the Revolutionary War.
The Van Etten/Dumond (Spy) House, built prior to 1685, is the oldest colonial house in the town. During October and November of 1777 the house was used by the Continental Army as a guard house where prisoners and a "spy" were held in the basement. More will be heard about the spy and his demise during the tour.
The fifth stone house on the walking tour was built in 1709, it is the Ostrander/Elmendorf home. During the Revolutionary War period, the oldest room in the house was used as a very popular tavern. This provided a means of livelihood for the family and a social atmosphere - things haven't changed dramatically since the time of our ancestors. A 1730 addition to the original home provided more living space, and yet another room added in 1750 provided needed space for weaving linen.
A house reached by a four minute, free shuttle bus, is the Ten Eyck Bowery. This was originally the homestead of Mattys Ten Eyck. In the early 1700's Mr. Ten Eyck was a large landowner who farmed, raised grains and created extensive orchards. He was also part owner of the Ten Eyck-Newkirk Grist Mill where, his and other farmer's grain, were ground. This provided an important staple for the local residents and sold to other communities.
Also on the free shuttle tour is the Patentee Manor which is an excellent Georgian, two-story house built by the Cole family. It represents the ultimate in upper-middle class wealth and social status. Although the owners were of Dutch descent, the style of the house is strongly influenced by the nearby English community, Marbletown. In the music room 18th Century music will be played by the instrumental group called "Salmagundi." Dressed in period attire, they will entertain you with cello, dulcimer, and guitar just as earlier musicians entertained the original Cool family.
Other Houses to Visit: Also on Main Street is an original stone house known as the Colonel Jonathan Elmendorf House built between 1783 and1790. It now houses the Hurley Heritage Society Museum. The museum's exhibits presently mark both the area's bluestone industry and the revolution war period. Delve into a quarry driver's workday, view a film on Minutemen or browse through the materials that enable you to catch a glimpse into Hurley's Revolutionary history.
Tour Tickets: The regular prices are as follows:
Children under 5: free
Children 5-12: $2.00
Seniors and students: $10.00
Adults: $12.00
Discounted ticket prices are available until June 30th, as follows:
Children under 5 free
Children 5-12: $1.00
Seniors and students $: 8.00
Adults: $10.00
To order, go to "www.StoneHouseDay.org", or at Ben Franklin stores in Kingston and Saugerties.
For further information, contact:
Pat Baker, Publicity Chair
23 Golf Terrace, Kingston, NY 12401
Phone: 845-331-2556
E-mail: Publicity@StoneHouseday.org
Beyond its' obvious benefit as drinking water and wildlife habitat, the reservoirs are open to the public providing a great source for recreation. The reservoir itself and the land around the reservoir can be accessed with permit, for hiking, hunting and fishing. The permits are free and easy to obtain. For more information on how to obtain permits, use the information below.