Hurley: Historic Houses and Revolutionary History

Hurley is best explored through its historic houses and the exhibits at the Hurley Heritage Museum. Old Hurley's Main Street is a National Historic Landmark: it is lined with well-preserved stone houses that have served as homes for more than 300 years. This makes the area interesting for travelers who want to consider history and architecture when choosing where to stay.

Historic Houses and Stories from the Revolution

Main Street is known for its concentration of historic stone houses. A look at the buildings gives a sense of how long these houses have been used as homes. Individual houses are also connected to specific events from the Revolutionary era. The DuMond “Spy” House at 37 Main Street was used as a guardhouse in 1777 and housed convicted British spy Lieutenant Daniel Taylor. The Van Deusen House housed New York’s Safety Council when the capital was moved to Hurley in 1777.

These places offer different perspectives: one house is associated with a guard and a prisoner, while the other is connected to the relocation of the capital. Visitors interested in Revolutionary history will find more than a general historical overview here. The “Hurley in the Revolution: History Happened Here” exhibit at the Hurley Heritage Museum tells the stories of Hurley residents during the war years.

Discover the Hurley Heritage Museum

The museum also brings history to life through a reconstructed living space. The Dutch Room recreates a room from the Dutch and colonial periods of the 17th and 18th centuries, furnished with household objects typical of the era. An exhibit on Indigenous cultures includes a timeline of projectile points, spanning from the earliest prehistory through A.D. 1350.

During the 2026 season, the museum will also present “The Wynkoop House: Inspiring the Arts Across the Centuries.” The exhibit tells the story of a farm in Hurley that remained in the Wynkoop family for more than 300 years, across eight generations. The virtual exhibit “Winslow Homer's Hurley – An Artist's View” presents artworks inspired by houses and landscapes in Hurley. Together, these offerings provide different ways to explore the area: a reconstructed living space, historic objects, stories from wartime, and art connected to Hurley.

The Hurley Heritage Museum's 2026 visitor season runs from May 2 through October 25. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.; admission is free. Check these hours before your visit if you want to include the museum in your plans.

Tours and Annual Events

Guided tours of the historic district along Hurley's Main Street show the exterior views of private homes dating from the late 17th to the late 18th century. They take place on the fourth Sunday of each month from May through October. Visitors planning a tour for a private group can arrange one in advance with a knowledgeable guide through the Hurley Heritage Society.

For independent exploration, the Society offers a self-guided tour map. It lists 27 historic sites in and around the village of Hurley. This offers a different way to explore than a guided tour: the map brings together several locations, while the tours focus on exterior views of historic homes along Main Street.

Another annual event is Stone House Day. It takes place on the second Saturday in July each year and includes special events and tours of many historic houses. If you want to plan your trip around this event, check the dates in advance.

Hurley and the Surrounding Town of Hurley

For regional orientation, it is helpful to distinguish between the village and the town it belongs to. The Town of Hurley lies between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains and includes large farms in the Esopus floodplain. This landscape adds another aspect of the community to the historic Main Street, without conflating the farm areas with the village center.

The O&W Rail Trail is also a relevant recreational option in the Town of Hurley. It is suitable for hiking, biking, skating, running, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. This lets you consider outdoor activities in addition to the historic houses and museum offerings when planning your stay. Hurley thus combines a clear historical focus with other options within the town to consider when planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Ellenville, Accord, Shandaken, New Paltz, Saugerties, Wallkill, Oliverea, Kerhonkson.

For the broader travel overview: Ulster.