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Learn the history of the building's name

Shawangunk Hall is a residence hall in the Peregrine Complex, constructed in 1968. Suites in each of the Peregrine Complex halls consist of two to four double occupancy bedrooms, a common bath and a small lounge area.

Students who live in the suites enjoy the privacy of their own "living room" and can personalize it (along with their individual rooms) with posters, plants, rugs and furniture. Residents are responsible for maintaining and cleaning their own bathrooms.

Common areas feature modern furnishings and decor that provide students with a comfortable space to study or relax with friends. 

In the basement of Shawangunk Hall are a laundry room with washers and dryers, a computer lab, a TV lounge with a ping pong table, a bike rack, a recycling room, and cooking facilities. Located on the first floor are vending machines, a microwave oven, public restrooms and a study lounge.

Shawangunk Hall is in close proximity to the tennis courts, Peregrine Dining Hall, the Student Union Building and parking facilities. Shawangunk Hall houses students with diverse backgrounds, high energy and enthusiasm. This positive interaction has traditionally created innovative program offerings within the hall.

What’s in a Building Name?

Shawangunk Hall is named for the iconic Shawangunk Ridge overlooking the Village of New Paltz, which is visible from multiple points on campus. Pronounced “sha-WAN-gunk,” the word is translated in the Brinton Lenape-English Dictionary (Unami dialect) as “southward.”

From 1968-2019, the building was named Lefevre Hall after Andries and Simon LeFevre, original patentees of New Paltz who settled in this region along with other original Huguenot patentees during the 17^th century.

Early generations of the LeFevre family owned enslaved Africans prior to the 1828 emancipation in New York State. During the Civil War, many LeFevre family members fought with the Union Army, including Johannes LeFevre, who rose to the rank of Captain in the 156^th regiment of the New York Volunteer Army before his death at the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Subsequent generations of the LeFevre family demonstrated strong commitment to education and contributed to founding, governing and supporting the schools that would eventually become SUNY New Paltz.

The SUNY New Paltz College Council and the SUNY Board of Trustees voted to change the name of this and five other buildings in the Peregrine Complex in 2019, following nearly two years of research and inclusive dialogue initiated by President Donald P. Christian and led by the Diversity & Inclusion Council.

The SUNY New Paltz College Council and the SUNY Board of Trustees voted to change the name of this and five other buildings in the Peregrine Complex in 2019, following nearly two years of research and inclusive dialogue initiated by President Donald P. Christian and led by the Diversity & Inclusion Council.

The process involved a broad constituency of students, faculty, staff, alumni, the College Council, campus leadership, and community stakeholders, including Huguenot descendants and Historic Huguenot Street leadership.

The Diversity & Inclusion Council ultimately recommended that changing the building names would position the College to better serve the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. President Christian supported this recommendation and advocated strongly for its approval by the College Council and Board of Trustees.

Consistent with our mission as an academic institution, a contemplative space will be created on campus (fall 2020) to present a more complete history of the College. That includes the history and lasting impacts of slavery, especially northern slavery, the contributions of enslaved Africans and their descendants, the history and legacy of indigenous people before and after European settlement, and the many positive contributions of Huguenot descendants to civic and educational life in New Paltz and beyond.

Read more about the building renaming process.