Fort Stanwix National Monument ⓘ

The museum collections at Fort Stanwix National Monument consist of approximately 500,000 objects. Most of the collection consists of archeological artifacts recovered from the excavations that took place during the 1970s prior to the reconstruction of the fort. These artifacts include military arms and accoutrements, clothing, hardware, utensils, furniture, and furnishings from the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War periods. Numerous artifacts related to the history of the City of Rome (1796-1970) are also part of the collection. Historic objects in the collection include ledgers, an orderly book of the 1st New York regiment, and powder horns. The park's relationship with the New York Oneida Indian Nation has also led to the inclusion of ethnographic objects, such as a modern day wampum belt and a traditionally crafted bow. A portion of the collection is permanently on exhibit at Fort Stanwix National Monument in the Marinus Willett Collections Management and Education Center. To see detailed images of some of the collection at Fort Stanwix, please visit the National Park Service Museum Collection Web Catalog . Visit the Curious Collections of Fort Stanwix pages (below) for indepth information on select materials.

A listing of all research documents related to the park can be found here . Research requests may be submitted to the Division of Cultural Resources. For more information, please e-mail the Division of Cultural Resources .

Nearly 50 years ago archeologists began to locate the remains of the original Fort Stanwix (briefly renamed Fort Schuyler, 1776-1781). Remnants of the original fort were discovered and nearly 500,000 artifacts were found dating to the 18 th , 19 th , and early 20 th century.

Archeology continues today at Fort Stanwix National Monument. When maintenance or construction activities take place, archeology is done first in order to ensure that the site is not destroyed and the resources are preserved. These projects are driven by the desire to preserve the archeological resources at the park and meet compliance standards of the federal government.

The initial excavations took place in order to locate and document for the purposes of reconstructing the original fort. The results of those excavations can be read in Casemates and Cannonballs. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/archeology/14/index.htm As a result of these excavations other professional publications are available at: Hanson, Lee (1974) "Outhouses in Rome, New York," Northeast Historical Archaeology: Vol. 3 3, Article 3. https://doi.org/10.22191/neha/vol3/iss1/3 Available at: http://orb.binghamton.edu/neha/vol3/iss1/3 Hanson, Lee & Dick Ping Hsu (1971) "Nineteenth Century Transfer Printed Earthenware from Rome, NY" Historical Archaeology, 5:74. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03374456 More recent archeological excavations have taken place in order to document buried cultural resources that may be impacted by park activities and construction related projects. During the summer of 2013, NPS archeologists uncovered and documented the first 18th century feature found at the site in nearly 40 years. For details about this excavation, see the full report: Roache-Fedchenko, Amy (2014). Mitigation Report for 2013 Monitoring Excavations Related to the Fire Suppression and Parade Ground Replacement Projects (PEPC Project #29475), Fort Stanwix National Monument, Rome, NY. ( pdf ) Currently there are no ongoing archeological excavations at the park, but several researchers continue to access the archeology of the site through the museum collection, including: Scholz, Elizabeth, "The Teapots In The Tempest: Ceramics And Military Order At 18th Century Fort Stanwix" (2016). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. College of William and Mary. Paper 1477068174. http://publish.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1061&context=etd Hippensteel, Jamie, "An Analysis of Faunal Remains From Fort Stanwix, New York: 1758-1781" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. Indiana University in Pennsylvania. Paper 1407. http://knowledge.library.iup.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2304&context=etd Bowes, Jessica (2013). Archaeobotanical Remains at Fort Stanwix National Monument. Survey prepared for Fort Stanwix National Monument during National Council for Preservation Education internship. ( pdf ) Jacobson, Michael (2013). Battlefield Delineation: Siege of Fort Stanwix and Battle of Oriskany Battlefield KOCOA Assessment and Mapping Project. Research Based on a Grant from The American Battlefield Protection Program to Rome Area Chamber of Commerce. ( pdf ) Visit the park’s Museum Collection page to learn more about the artifacts and other museum objects.

A recent historic resource study of resistance to the systems of slavery in and around what is now Fort Stanwix National Monument was completed in 2022 in partnership with the Organization of American Historians ( OAH ) by Judith Wellman, Principal Investigator. It is focused on the underground railroad in the broadest sense and describes anti slavery, abolition, avenues of and support for freedom taking by enslaved people and their allies.

Wellman, Judith, (2021). "We Took to Ourselves Liberty" Historic Sites Relating to the Underground Railroad, Abolitionism, and African American Life in Oneida County and Beyond, prepared for the National Park Service in cooperation with the Organization of American Historians.

An in-depth study of historical events at Fort Stanwix focused on the treaties that were negotiated or signed at Fort Stanwix. This latest publication closely examines the treaties through historic texts to examine those involved with the treaties, and their actions before, during, and after negotiations took place. During the 1970s, the NPS completed a report titled Fort Stanwix: History, Historic Furnishing, and Historic Structure Reports . This document helped to inform the design of the reconstruction, the park’s living history program, and better contextualized the significant history of Fort Stanwix. The individual reports compiled in the document include: Luzader, John F. (1976). Construction and Military History 1758 to 1777 , in History, Historic Furnishing, and Historic Structure Reports , Office of Historic Preservation, National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/fost/history/history.htm Torres, Louis (1976). Historic Furnishing Study , in History, Historic Furnishing, and Historic Structure Reports , Office of Historic Preservation, National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/fost/history/hfs.htm Carroll, Orville W. (1976). Historic Structure Report, in History, Historic Furnishing, and Historic Structure Reports , Office of Historic Preservation, National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/fost/history/hsr.htm

The archives at Fort Stanwix consist mainly of park related documents. These files document the operations and management of Fort Stanwix National Monument and the history of park services and projects. More specifically, the park’s archives include records about the development of the park, administrative history, cultural resources management, interpretive programs, and the events occurring at the park during the course of its operation. The Finding Aid ( pdf ), provides further information about the archives at Fort Stanwix National Monument. It should be noted that historic documents, which include the 18 th century Roseboom Ledgers and the Orderly Book of the 1 st NY Regiment ( pdf ), are included in the museum collection. An interesting history of the park can be found in: Zenzen, Joan (2009) Reconstructing the Past, Partnering for the Future: An Administrative History of Fort Stanwix National Monument . http://npshistory.com/publications/fost/adhi.pdf Caldwell, M. (2009). The Fort Stanwix Administrative History: A Superintendent's Perspective. The Public Historian, 31(2), 66-70. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/tph.2009.31.2.66?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

Ethnographic studies reveal the complicated cultural histories of the people associated with Fort Stanwix. The ethnographic study completed to date is: Bilharz, Joy (2009). Oriskany: A Place of Great Sadness, A Mohawk Valley Ethnography . Northeast Regiona Ethnography Program, National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Boston, MA. Further ethnographic research regarding the treaties signed or negotiated at Fort Stanwix is currently underway and will be made available once published.

2016 Foundation Document: Fort Stanwix National Monument. National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Washington D.C. ( pdf ) 2009 Fort Stanwix National Monument Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement . National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=230&projectID=11256&documentID=28518 1999 National Park Service Cultural Landscapes Inventory: Fort Stanwix . National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. https://www.nps.gov/oclp/FOST%20Fort%20Stanwix%20CLI.pdf

Before the construction of the fort, the area served as a meeting and exchange location for several American Indian tribes. This tradition of traveling through the area along the waterways and meeting to trade was continued through the construction and occupation of Fort Stanwix, the establishment of the Erie Canal as a primary transportation avenue, and today with the use of the nearby New York State Thruway. The park partners with Rome Historical Society to help tell this complex and rich history. For more information about these resources and the resources of connected sites visit our partners at:

For thousands of years the ancient trail that connects the Mohawk River and Wood Creek served as a vital link for people traveling between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Ontario. Travelers used this well-worn route through Oneida Indian territory to carry trade goods and news, as well as diseases, to others far away. When Europeans arrived they called this trail the Oneida Carrying Place and inaugurated a significant period in American history--a period when nations fought for control of not only the Oneida Carrying Place, but the Mohawk Valley, the homelands of the Six Nations Confederacy, and the rich resources of North America as well. In this struggle Fort Stanwix would play a vital role. Known as "the fort that never surrendered," Fort Stanwix, under the command of Col. Peter Gansevoort, successfully repelled a prolonged siege, in August 1777, by British, German, Loyalist, Canadian, and American Indian troops and warriors commanded by British Gen. Barry St. Leger. The failed siege combined with the battles at Oriskany, Bennington, and Saratoga thwarted a coordinated effort by the British in 1777, under the leadership of Gen. John Burgoyne, to take the northern colonies, and led to American alliances with France and the Netherlands. Troops from Fort Stanwix also participated in the 1779 Clinton-Sullivan Campaign and protected America's northwest frontier from British campaigns until finally being abandoned in 1781.

Since 1976, Fort Stanwix National Monument has occupied 16 acres in downtown Rome, NY. Between the 1790s and mid-1800s, several canals, including the Erie were dug through the historic grounds of the fort and the City of Rome filled in the areas inbetween. Eventually, this all became cityscape. In 1835, it was noted that the last remains of the fort were finally removed and buried over by Rome. Today, the park serves as the local "front lawn" with many city events being held on site, and what can be seen is a unique mix of the historic and modern. Roads have replaced canals, walking trails, and rivers. It also serves as a refuge for many insects, small mammals, and birds. Humans play and excercise on the lawn and rest under its trees. The view of the Mohawk River is no longer direct and the historic spring stream Teochnorhat, which flowed along the east of the fort and into the Mohawk, has all but disappeared. But within the remains of the spring bed, the damp enviroment provides a nursery for small anphibians like toads and frogs.

Urban parks have wildlife too! When you visit this little park in the middle of the city, make sure to bring your binoculars! Although most would think of the forest or less populated area as “wild,” there are many unique species that call this urban park home.

Lots of birds that visit raise their young at the fort. Many just use the surrounding thermals (warm air currents that circulate above the park) to get where they need to go. Birds like European starlings have taken over the ecological niche left from when native birds, like the passenger pigeon, went extinct. From ospreys to falcons to bluebirds to chimney swifts, there is no shortage of birds to watch!

Hundreds (if not thousands) of species of insects live at the park. You can find “masked hunters” (a type of assassin beetle whose young cloak themselves in sawdust for camouflage) and many friendly native bee species that call this place home. From orchard bees (who look like small flying emeralds) to squash bees who nap and snuggle in our garden squash blossoms, the fort is always buzzing with activity! There are even two threatened bumblebee species that call this park home: the golden bumblebee ( Bombus fervidus) and the yellow banded bumblebee ( Bombus terricola) .

There are many mammals that have been recorded throughout the area surrounding the park. Some of the species that helped to contribute to the historic growth of the area, through the fur trade, include: beaver, rabbits, fox, squirrel (red), white-tailed deer, and mink. Wolves, elk, wolverines, fisher, and marten numbers declined rapidly or became extinct throughout the 1800s as trappers flooded the area. Beaver are the best example of a species on the brink because of trapping and hunting as their numbers were nearly wiped out in the mid to late 1600s and again in the 1700s (dependent on New York region). Today, many smaller species, like voles, grey squirrels, and field mice thrive on park grounds. But every so often, a larger species, like white tailed deer or black bear, make their way into the heart of the city to visit the park! Every season provides a new opportunity to observe and study wildlife in this unique environment! What can you find?

On the west and northwest of the Oneida Carry, the soils are loamy clays, sands, and some shale that contributed to many swampy bogs to the south of the carry and sand plain or pine barren areas, like those that can be found sur rounding Wood Creek upon its exit from modern Rome, NY and along the eastern shore of Oneida Lake. This is a unique habitat that, today, is very hard to find in North America and would have been distinct in its appearance compared to the surrounding forests. This would have looked like an odd mash of sand dunes, beach shore, and deciduous/coniferous forests. Around Wood Creek, there would have been many aquaticplants (such as sedges and sea grasses) more similar to those found in northern seacoast mixed in with a variety of trees from different northern growth zones (such as white pine, hemlock, white, red, and black oaks, white and yellow birch, pine pitch, wild black cherry, and sassafras). In swampier bog and flood areas toward the south and southeast, red and silver maples, elms, basswoods, red ash, tulip trees, cottonwoods, and tupelo trees could be found in the mix. Various shrubs and grass, including honey suckle, Canada violets, goldenrod, wild sarsaparilla, and partridge berry, would be found along with an exhaustive list of ferns, grasses, and other plants native to the “Austral” growing region of North America. Just on the north and eastern end of the carry, underlying bedrock and soils are mostly shale and clay. Trees such as white pine, various oaks, beeches, birches, tamaracks, and others form to make the foothill forest of the Adirondacks and hardwood forests of the western Mohawk Valley. Looking at the area surrounding the fort during the time of the American Revolution one would have seen: To the north, an area cleared by the British military during the French and Indian War period and those hardwood forests sloping upwards towards the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. To the east, a clearing that extended to a freshwater stream about 100 yards, beyond that a mixture of hardwood and swamp forests leading to the banks of the Mohawk River. To the south, the portage road, passing through a cleared field that lead from east to west. In the southeast view would have been a fenced military garden on the banks of the stream. In the southwest view would have been grouping of military out buildings, including: a hospital, blacksmith shop, and stable area. An “Indian House” was also in this area. A small arrangement of buildings belonging to the Roof family (homestead, barn, outbuilding, etc.) would have also been visible. Beyond those would have been mixed swamp forest and sand plains. To the west would have been a view of the portage road leading to Wood Creek through a cleared field. Beyond that was a sand plain environment. Wandering as freely as their owners would allow would have been livestock belonging to the colonial settlers, the American military, and to the private soldiers.

Birds in the Oneida County area had been studied extensively throughout the late 1700s to early 1900s. In 1977, after compiling historic data and records, there were 289 native species known to Oneida County. One of the more notable species is the wild (passenger) pigeon, which has gone extinct and were recorded as an easy meal for the soldiers of Fort Schuyler in the time of the Revolution (they netted them on walls). There are several pigeon bones in the park collection. Others include the wild turkey, which was almost eliminated through hunting and development by the mid-1800s, the peregrine falcon, and bluebird. Mockingbird, titmouse, and Carolina wren (although native) spread further into the area as trees were cut from the forests as they survive on forest perimeters and lowlands. There are many mammals that have been recorded throughout the area surrounding the carry. Some of the species that helped to contribute to the historic growth of the area, through the fur trade, include: beaver, rabbits, fox, squirrel (red), white-tailed deer, and mink. Wolves, elk, wolverines, fisher, and marten numbers declined rapidly or became extinct throughout the 1800s as trappers flooded the area. Beaver are the best example of a species on the brink because of trapping and hunting as their numbers were nearly wiped out in the mid to late 1600s and again in the 1700s (dependent on New York region). Mountain lion and bobcat were recorded throughout New York, however rarely because their range can be large. Most sightings in the in the early 1800s took place in northern most reaches of Oneida County’s borders. There is debate about whether or not moose may have occurred in northern Oneida County during the 1700s and years prior. It should be noted that the forested lands that both the cats and moose require would have extended down into the area of the carry prior to its development. The 1600s era Dutch man, Harmen Mydenstern Van Den Bogaert, who became the first European to record his journey through the area in 1634, stated that he was fed white hare, beaver, dried and fresh salmon, bear bacon, and venison. He also saw (living or pelts) elk, beaver, bear, otter, mountain lion, and deer. Amphibians and reptiles could be found as well including the bullfrog, wood turtle, box turtle, copperhead snake, timber rattlesnake, and eastern massasauga rattlesnake (or swamp rattler). Because of the many fish brought to stock ponds in the 1800s, it is difficult, if not impossible to determine what species of fish are specifically native to the Mohawk River, Wood Creek, and Oneida Lake. However, the recorded Atlantic salmon migrations to Oneida Lake stopped in 1856 as further development along the lake began. It has also had a consistent record of walleye pike, which were restocked as their numbers dropped. There are about a dozen walleye bones in the park collection. Brook trout were recorded in many of the streams flowing into the lake. Northern Pike, perch, large and small mouth bass, and sunfish would have been found throughout the lakes, streams and rivers of the modern New York area, including the Mohawk.

National Park Service At the Visitor Center Become a Junior Ranger Watch the park movies Visit the park bookstore Learn about the American Revolution Browse "A Forgotten Civil War: The Revolution in the Mohawk Valley" Build a fort Reserve a group tour

There's always something new to do at Fort Stanwix National Monument! National Park Service Inside the Fort Go on a ranger-led program or tour Become a Junior Ranger Have your pet become a BARK! Ranger Watch a historic weapons demonstration Explore some really cool architecture Climb through the wicket gate...a "secret door" in an old fort! Attend a special event Take a self-guided tour through the rooms Play with historic toys and games Join the Continental Army for a day Take a field trip with your classroom

National Park Service On the Trail Take a walk Ride your bike Play on the lawn Have a picnic Fly a kite, play frisbee, or throw a ball Explore the waysides Have your pet become a BARK! Ranger Build a snow fort or snow army during the winter! Pay your respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier or visit Gansevoort Park Join a summer concert on the park lawn Take a walk to see the Mohawk River or Erie Canal Listen to the park cell phone tour or use the NPS App tour More details about accessibility within the park .

There are many opportunities for hands-on learning and fun when your group visits the park! National Park Service/Ranger Dan U. Group Reservations The park offers on and offsite programs for a wide audience. Past groups have included military organizations, group homes, motor coach tours, and senior groups. If you are interested in reserving a program for your group, please read the listings below and then contact the Park Reservation Coordinator . If you are part of a youth or education group, please visit the Plan a Field Trip page for more options.

The Marinus Willett Center houses the park's visitor center and bookstore. The story of the people and events that helped determine the fate of a continent are presented in the gallery area through audio/visual presentations, period artifact displays, and hands on activities.

Time: At least 45 minutes is recommended to view all of the exhibits/presentations in the Willett Center. Assistance: A staff member will give your group an orientation to the Willett Center and will be available for any questions that may arise. Accessibility Notes: The Willett Center is entirely accessible based on ADA compliance. Learn more about park accessibility.

Have a park ranger lead your group on an in-depth tour of Fort Stanwix, the fort that never fell. The ranger will take your group into a number of the fort rooms from the sutlery to the enlisted men's barracks. In the Hearth Room, you'll see an original fireplace uncovered during the initial archeological excavations of the fort. Schedule extra time to see the fort's audio/visual presentation, "I Was So Wore Out With Fatigue," and to climb the bastions!

Time: At least 60 minutes is recommended for this tour. Accessibility Notes: The Gregg Barracks/visitor contact station and the restrooms are accessible. Ramps are provided to allow for accessibility into a number of the fort rooms. Learn more about park accessibility.

See the fort from the British perspective! Discover how close their trenches were to the fort. Learn what the stream on the east side of the fort was used for. Walk the trails in the park and explore!

Time: At least 30 minutes is recommended to walk the trails and view the wayside exhibits. Assistance: This walk will is self-guided; however, park staff will always be close by to answer any of your questions. Accessibility Notes: The park trails and waysides are completely accessible to wheelchairs. Learn more about park accessibility.

Is your group within a 50 mile radius of the park? Have the park come to you! These free programs could be a great way to prepare your group for an upcoming visit, a follow-up to your trip to the fort, or an 18th C. topic based discussion around something of interest to your organization.