If you have ever driven through the City of Rome, New York, you can’t help but notice the imposing Fort smack dab in the middle of town. Looking at this fort, it’s hard to believe it’s a replica of the original Fort Stanwix, constructed during the French and Indian War. Fort Stanwix, famously known as ‘the fort that never surrendered,” was the center of a fierce siege in the Revolutionary War.
We have driven by Fort Stanwix a number of times, but we never had the opportunity to stop and visit until recently. This is a fascinating place to explore, and the Fort, while it might be a replica, is an almost perfect replica, allowing visitors to get an up-close experience of what 18th-century military life was like.
The best part is that unlike most of the historic forts in New York State, this fort is entirely FREE to visit.
A Little Bit of the History of Fort Stanwix
Construction and Early History
Constructed by British forces from 1758 to 1762 during the French and Indian War, Fort Stanwix served mainly to protect a crucial portage called the Oneida Carrying Place. This route linked the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, enabling transportation and trade between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.
The Siege of 1777
One of the most notable events in Fort Stanwix’s history is the siege of August 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. British forces, led by Brigadier General Barry St. Leger, attempted to capture the fort as part of a larger strategy to divide the American colonies. Despite being outnumbered, the American defenders, commanded by Colonel Peter Gansevoort, successfully withstood the siege.
Fort Stanwix and the Treaty of 1784
In 1784, the fort was the site of the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, where the United States negotiated with Native American leaders. This treaty was significant in shaping post-war territorial agreements.
Rebuilding the Fort
The Fort was abandoned after 1781 and eventually deconstructed. In 1935, the land where Fort Stanwix once stood was designated as a National Monument by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1970, a 3-year long archeology dig provided archeologists with all the information they needed for rebuilding the Fort with as much accuracy as possible.
Reconstruction started in 1974 and concluded in 1978, with the visitor center added in 2005. The project aimed to faithfully recreate the fort using historical records, archaeological findings, and modern accounts. Today, the reconstructed fort functions as a living history museum, providing insights into 18th-century military life and the notable events that occurred there.
The only remnant of the original fort is the remains of a fireplace.
Touring the Fort (and Visitor Center)
It is free to enter the Fort and the Visitor Center. We really enjoyed touring the Fort. There are ranger-led tours or you can tour the fort on your own. You have free range to explore almost every area in the Fort. You can walk into the different officers’ quarters, the casements, barracks, store rooms, the infirmary, and more.
There are numerous exhibits and artifacts in the visitor Center. If you have young children, there are activities inside that will entertain them, and they can also become a junior ranger.
The Fort is closed from just before Christmas through early April, but you can still walk around the outside of the Fort, which is still very cool.
Christmastime at Fort Stanwix
We visited on the weekend after Thanksgiving, and the Fort was decorated in a unique way. Different rooms of the Fort were decorated in the traditional way of different nations and cultures.
Getting to Fort Stanwix
There is no designated parking lot near Fort Stanwix. Parking is available along the street.
Address: 100 N James St, Rome, NY
Google Map Link
