Old Hurley’s Main Street is known as a National Historic Landmark: well-preserved stone houses that have served as homes for more than 300 years are concentrated along the street. Those interested in the town’s architectural history will find not just individual historic buildings here, but an entire group of preserved homes. The Hurley Heritage Museum adds exhibitions on everyday life, wartime history, and Indigenous cultures to this view of the town.
Stone Houses and Stories of Hurley
At the museum, the Dutch Room recreates a living space from the Dutch and colonial periods of the 17th and 18th centuries. Period household items bring its focus on domestic life to life. Two houses with specific historical connections offer another way to explore the Revolutionary era: the Van Deusen House was home to New York’s Safety Council when the capital was moved to Hurley in 1777. The DuMond “Spy” House served as a guardhouse in 1777 and housed the convicted British spy Lieutenant Daniel Taylor.
The exhibition on Indigenous cultures also has its own chronological focus. It includes a timeline with projectile points from the earliest prehistory through 1350 AD. For the 2026 season, the exhibition “Hurley in the Revolution: History Happened Here” tells the stories of Hurley residents during the war years. “The Wynkoop House: Inspiring the Arts Across the Centuries” describes a farm in Hurley that belonged to eight generations of the Wynkoop family for more than 300 years. The virtual exhibition “Winslow Homer's Hurley – An Artist's View” features works of art inspired by houses and landscapes in Hurley.
Plan Your Visit and Tours
The Hurley Heritage Museum’s 2026 visiting 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. These hours apply to the stated 2026 season. If you are planning a visit later, check the schedule in effect at that time.
Those who want to see the historic houses from the outside can consider guided tours of the historic district along Main Street in Hurley. They showcase the exteriors of private homes dating from the late 17th through the late 18th century and take place on the fourth Sunday of each month from May through October. The Hurley Heritage Society also offers tours of historic sites for private groups; these must be arranged in advance with a knowledgeable guide.
For a self-guided tour, the Hurley Heritage Society offers a map of 27 historic sites in and around the village of Hurley. Another annual event is Stone House Day: it takes place on the second Saturday in July and includes special events and tours of many historic houses. The guided tours along Main Street, the map for independent exploration, and Stone House Day are different ways to explore Hurley’s houses and history; when planning, note the stated date or the need to arrange a tour in advance.
Hurley Beyond the Historic Village Center
To get a sense of the geography, look to the Town of Hurley, which lies between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. The municipality also includes large farms in the Esopus floodplain. This regional overview describes the Town of Hurley; it is not solely a description of the historic village center.
The O&W Rail Trail also runs through the Hurley area and is suitable for hiking, biking, skating, running, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. Alongside the town’s history, these outdoor activities offer other ways to spend time during a visit. The historic tours focus on homes and their history, while the listed activities center on the trail. This can help you decide whether you’d rather focus on Hurley’s historic streetscape or set aside time for an activity on the trail.
Discover more destinations: Stone Ridge, Shandaken, Clintondale, Ellenville, Wallkill, Accord, Highland, Phoenicia.
For the broader travel overview: Ulster.
