Fort Stanwix National Monument

Built in 1758 to guard a strategic portage along a major transportation route,
Fort Stanwix stands today as an inspiration to the people of the world. Fort
Stanwix guarded the centuries old Oneida Carrying Place. This strategic Iroquois
Confederacy portage in upstate New York bridged the waterways between the
Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.

The events that occurred at the site
included the development of European and later American-Indian affairs, the
melding of diverse cultures, and the protection of the Mohawk Valley during two
world wars: the French and Indian, and the American Revolutionary Wars.
During the American Revolution, British military forces were repulsed while
attempting to besiege the fort. American militia and Oneida allies tried to come
to the aid of Fort Stanwix, but were cut off in an ambush at Oriskany,
considered one of the bloodiest engagements of the war. These events directly
contributed to the American victory at Saratoga.

Fort Stanwix is also a site where Americans developed their own sense of Indian
Affairs. Several treaties were negotiated at the site, setting precedents for
future Indian and American treaties and relationships.
Fort Stanwix National Monument maintains an extensive archaeological collection
and a nearly complete reconstruction of the fort.

112 East Park Street
Rome, NY 13440
315-336-2090 - Visitor Information
315-336-5138 - Headquarters

By Plane
The nearest airport is Oneida County
Airport, 8 miles south of Rome.

By Car
All
major state routes thru Rome; 26, 46, 49, 69, and 365, pass within sight of
the Monument. To get to Rome from the New York Thruway, take exit 32 at
Westmoreland to Rt. 233 north to Rt. 365 west, following the signs to downtown
Rome. City parking is available within sight of the Monument.

By Plane
A bus terminal is within two blocks of the site on Liberty Street. There is an
Amtrak railroad station located within one mile of the site at Lawrence Street
and Route 233.

Getting Around
The entrance gate to the Monument requires a short walk of less than one
quarter mile or 275 meters from the city parking facilities on James Street. For those touring the area by bicycle, a bicycle rack can be found at the entrance gate.
The Monument has 3 short trails that encircle the fort. One of the trails
follows a portion of the Oneida Carrying Place. The other two trails interpret
the events of the siege of 1777.
Park rangers conduct regularly scheduled interpretive programs daily,
averaging 45 minutes long.
Check with the ranger on duty in the Gregg Barracks Visitor Center for times and locations of
all programs offered that day.

Summers in central New York tend to be warm and humid, with daytime
temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees F and rainfall averaging 4.5 inches
every month. With cloud cover 45 per cent of the time, rain gear is suggested.
Visitors often remark how lush and green the area appears.
The spring and fall temperatures varies even more than the summer, ranging
from freezing to 70 degrees F. Snow is common as late as May and as early as
October. Clothing worn in layers is recommended. The area is noted for its
spring bulbs and flowering crab apples, while the fall foliage is spectacular.

Since Fort Stanwix National Monument is one of the most authentically
reconstructed forts in North America, it also has plenty of authentic mud.
Most activities are outdoors. Good, walking shoes with closed toes and low
heels are advised.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Educational Programs

Recommended Activities
Visitors are encouraged to start their experience of Fort Stanwix National
Monument on the path to the fort, walking the Great Oneida Carrying Place.
Once inside the Visitor Center, visitors receive an orientation from the
ranger on duty. After hearing and seeing some of the background history and
drama of the events that happened at Fort Stanwix, join a ranger led
interpretive program and gain a greater understanding of the struggles these
people endured. Visitors have an opportunity to discover their own bridges to
the past in the museum. Other activities in the fort include living history
programs. These programs are real hands-on activities for visitors. All
visitors are welcome to watch a military drill demonstration and experience
the blast and smoke of 18th century weaponry. Visitors can enlist and
experience for themselves what it must have been like 200 years ago in a
wilderness fort. Take a different path back to the 20th century parking and
see the fort from a whole new perspective.