Fort Stanwix, in Rome, NY, was built during the French and Indian War, to provide protection for “The Carry.” The Carry was a trail on dry ground between the popular waterways, Wood Creek and the Mohawk River. It was so named because settlers and traders had to hop out of their boats when they reached the end of one waterway and carry their boat and goods to the next waterway. The fort was built by the British, back when we were a British colony. It was named after British General John Stanwix. Americans renamed it Fort Schuyler, after the popular General Phillip Schuyler (who was Alexander Hamilton’s father-in-law, by the way). General Schuyler already had a number of forts named after him (including one in Utica), so the name was dropped and everyone called the place Fort Stanwix.

Legend has it that the first real flag of the United States of America was flown here.

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Fort Stanwix was one of the targets of the British “three pronged attack” during the Revolutionary War. The British planned to invade and conquer Albany, NY, our state capital. In doing so, the British would slit the 13 Colonies in half: the plan was a brilliantly devised one of divide and conquer.

Through the hand of Divine Providence, the British plans went awry. The British army led by General St. Leger coming from the west were stifled at Fort Stanwix. The British army led by General Burgoyne was sabatoged and captured in Saratoga, NY. And the British army led by General Howe that was supposed to come up from Philadelphia from the south never even got started. New York proved much more resistant than the British thought– after this event, the French joined the Americans and the British scampered down to the Southern Colonies to try to conquer there. You can read more about the three-pronged attack in what is considered the “bloodiest battle of the American Revolution” here.

After the war, the fort was abandoned. It fell into disrepair, and the city of Rome was built over it. A revival of interest in our historic heritage spurned the interest of people in the city. The Fort was declared a national historic park in 1935. The site was excavated and rebuilt in 1976, America’s Bicentennial Year.

This weekend, Fort Stanwix is celebrating her 75th birthday, with parades, reenactments, music, and more. This is one of the BEST national parks we have ever visited. We try to go every year or so. Unfortunately, I will miss my visit this year; we are renovating our home and are on a tight deadline. If you want to visit, see the official Fort Stanwix website, or call 315-338-7730.

Happy birthday, Fort Stanwix! You are an example of the tenacity and faith of our golden founding era.

At the fort, you are free to roam the grounds. There are rooms where you can enter and see exact replicas of colonial life as it was back then. And you can mingle with the soldiers and officers and strike up a chat about the importance of, say, the First Amendment. There were also several marching and musket drills to enjoy watching.

I took so many photos, that I’ll have to make another post. It was GREAT! If you are ever in Rome, NY, do check in on the Fort. Admission is free and it’s one of the finest national parks, ever.

Now for the photos! I recommend that you enlarge the first photo for the full effect. The fort is surrounded by a high earthen berm, for added protection against invading enemies. So the view is really great!

Everything at Fort Stanwix is very “hands on.” They even has things like toy wooden muskets and fur pelts for the children to play with and feel. And the re-enactors frequently perform drills. Its an absolute blast!!

Also on the grounds a short walk from the Fort is a visitor’s center. It’s very nice. We enjoyed exploring it, inside and out.

As for us, we’re still traveling around New York, but we’ve been making plans to do some very large trips in the near future, both out of state, and (we hope someday) to other countries. Of course, I will blog about them here, too!

There’s a drawbridge at the entrance. The fort was made historically accurate. Big meaty stakes with sharpened points tilt outward. There’s a big dry moat all around the fort. During times of peacefulness, the women and children camped in these big ditches.

Inside the fort is a great big spacious area, with wooden walls leading to rooms. You can wander freely inside the rooms.

There are a variety of rooms– captain’s quarters, soldier’s quarters, missionary’s quarters, the “Suttler’s” room (like a general store), and more. It’s really great to meander throughout the grounds!

What a great time! Be sure to check out Fort Stanwix if you are ever in the Rome, NY, area. You won’t regret it!

We try to go to this fort every year. And this year, it was extra special: we went on July 4th, Independence Day, for the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

I took a few videos of the reading (it was thrilling!!) but I have not pieced the clips together. I, uh, HOPE to have this done before NEXT July 4th rolls around…

After the reading, we wandered around the fort and it’s various displays. Inside rooms, re-enactors stood by the chat with us or tell us tales of life in the fort during the early colonial days of wild Upstate New York.

And there were also a few demonstrations. They frequently played the drums and fife, marched around the square, and mingled with us visitors. I tell you– this park is just amazing. The rangers have got the public relations New York down pat. This place is SO great!

Here are some of the kids, learning how to drill and use a musket. This may come in handy someday!

I took loads of photos. I will be posting more photos and anecdotes in the posts to come. I’m also hoping my posts will be good PR New York for the fort, and get even more attention. It’s just a TERRIFIC place!