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Fort Stanwix National Monument

Rome, NY

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.

CONTACTS

Email - FOST_Superintendent@nps.gov

Fax- 315-339-3966

Write to
112 East Park Street
Rome, NY 13440

Phone
Visitor Information - 315-336-2090
Headquarters - 315-336-2090

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Open daily, 9am to 5pm, April 1 thru December 31; closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Closed January 1 thru March 31.

Getting There
PLANE - The nearest airport is Oneida County Airport, 8 miles south of Rome.

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.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - 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.

Weather & Climate
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.

Accessibility
Directly in front of the entrance gate is a handicap temporary parking zone. Due to the authenticity of the site's reconstruction, accessibility is limited. The Visitor Center, Museum, and rest rooms are accessible. Natural lighting is used in the living history areas of the site, resulting in dimly lit rooms. Tours of the site for special needs groups and individuals can be arranged with reservations. Bus drop off zones are in front of the entrance gate and on the James Street side of the site. Buses can be parked in city lots across the street. The site bulletin is available in several foreign languages; Spanish, German, French, and Italian.

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.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
ENTRANCE FEE
Free!

THERE IS NO ADMISSION FEE
Free!

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
GREGG BARRACKS
Open From April 1 through December 31 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Phone - 315-336-2090
Location - Fort Stanwix National Monument is located in downtown Rome, New York, at the corner of North James Street and Erie Boulevard. All park facilities are located inside the fort.
Closures - Thanksgiving Day and December 25
Special Programs - Summertime Living History Programs
Exhibits - Orientation Diorama of the site
Available Facilities - Visitors step back in time when they cross the wooden bridge at the entrance to the fort. Located inside the Gregg barracks, the Visitor Center houses an orientation diorama, a theater and a bookstore. Brochures and event calendars are available FREE. Just behind the visitor center, people are invited to bridge the past and get a "feel" for archeology at the Discovery Table Exhibit in the museum casemate. The 5 minute slide show depicts the archaeological excavation and the reconstruction of the fort. Hundreds of artifacts on display help bridge more than 200 years. The largest exhibit at Fort Stanwix National Monument is the fort itself. By exploring this Living History Exhibit visitors can experience the sights, sounds, smells and touch of the 18th century and glimpse into the lives and events of the people who lived here more than two centuries ago. The bridge between the past and the future can be crossed, here at Fort Stanwix National Monument.

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