Date: August 7, 2010
Rome, NY: Summer is nearing its end, it will not be long before the children are back in school, and people have been visiting Fort Stanwix National Monument from around the world. For August, Fort Stanwix is announcing its 2010 program and events calendar. This August's highlights include the park's 75th birthday party, and the continuing partnership between the National Park Service at Fort Stanwix and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at the Oriskany Battlefield and Steuben Memorial State Historic Sites.
"We are excited about this August's events," said Debbie Conway, Superintendent of Fort Stanwix National Monument. "This summer our staff at Fort Stanwix will provide special 75th anniversary events and present special programs at Oriskany Battlefield and Steuben Memorial State Historic Sites. Please come out and join us. And remember, all of our events and activities are free."
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Operating Hours and Seasons
Willett Center: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fort: Open 9:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Summer Daily Activity Schedule
Daily, Sundays to Saturdays, August 4 to 25
10 to 10:30 a.m. Legacy of Fort Stanwix Park Tour
11 to 11:30 a.m. Historic Weapons Demonstration
2 to 2:30 p.m. Legacy of Fort Stanwix Park Tour
3 to 3:30 p.m. Historic Weapons Demonstration
4 to 4:30 p.m. Legacy of Fort Stanwix Park Tour
Special Programs and Events
August 3,
Tuesday Fun at the Fort - 75th Anniversary
10 to 11:30 a.m.
On Tuesdays, July 6 to August 3, join park staff as you explore the history of the fort, and have some fun! Each program is different, and includes a hands-on activity as well as something to take home to remember your time at the park. These drop-in programs will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the James St. lawn in front of the Willett Center.
August 3 and 4, Tuesday and Wednesday
Museum Collections Tours - 75th Anniversary Event
10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from June 29 to August 25, join park curators for a behind the scenes look at the park museum collection. Learn what it means to take care of a collection and why the park has a collection in the first place. The tour is for people ages 16 and older, and the group size is limited to 8. Sign up is on a first come basis the same day as the tour at the Willett Center Information Desk.
August 3, Tuesday
The Siege Begins
11 to 11:30 a.m.
From August 3 to the 23, 1777, British forces under command of Barry St. Leger laid siege to Fort Stanwix. Events this day honor the beginning of the siege and its importance to national and world history. Cannon salute takes place from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at the fort.
August 6, Friday
Willett's Sortie
2 to 3 p.m.
On this day, Lt. Col. Willett and 250 men triumphantly left the fort, raided, and destroyed the camps left empty by the same loyalist and British Indian allies participating in the nearby Battle of Oriskany.
August 10 and 11, Tuesday and Wednesday
Museum Collections Tours - 75th Anniversary Event
10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from June 29 to August 25, join park curators for a behind the scenes look at the park museum collection. Learn what it means to take care of a collection and why the park has a collection in the first place. The tour is for people ages 16 and older, and the group size is limited to 8. Sign up is on a first come basis the same day as the tour at the Willett Center Information Desk.
August 14, Saturday
Futile Thunder
11 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 to 3 p.m.
The British forces besieged Fort Stanwix with undersized artillery. The Oneida Indian Nation joins park staff to present this program.
August 17 and 18, Tuesday and Wednesday
Museum Collections Tours - 75th Anniversary Event
10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from June 29 to August 25, join park curators for a behind the scenes look at the park museum collection. Learn what it means to take care of a collection and why the park has a collection in the first place. The tour is for people ages 16 and older, and the group size is limited to 8. Sign up is on a first come basis the same day as the tour at the Willett Center Information Desk.
August 21 to 22, Friday to Sunday
75th Anniversary of Fort Stanwix National Monument
Come and celebrate the establishment of Fort Stanwix National Monument. The national monument was established on August 21, 1935.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Living History Encampment
10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Behind the Scenes Tours
10 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Family Programs
11 a.m. (Food Fort), and 3 p.m. (Making and Flying Kites)
Concert Featuring Linda Russell
1 p.m.
75th Birthday Celebration, Concert and Dance
7 to 10 p.m.
Celebration Includes:
-Birthday Cake and Ice Cream Social
-Community Concert and Dance featuring music from 1930s
-Ballroom Dancing with Instructors
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Living History Encampment
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Behind the Scenes Tours
10 a.m., 12 noon, and 2 p.m.
Family Programs
11 a.m. (18th Century Toys and Games)
Concert Featuring Linda Russell
1 p.m.
1935 at the Movies - Capitol Theater [1935 ticket prices: 35¢ for adults, 15¢ for children]
-Review of the Year (1935) by Hearst-Metrotone News
-Tit for Tat, with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy
-Dancing on the Moon (Fleischer Comicolor Cartoon)
-Farmer Takes a Wife, with Janet Gaynor, Henry Fonda, and Charles Bickford
August 23, Monday
The Siege Ends
3 to 3:30 p.m.
On this date in 1777, British forces under command of Barry St. Leger abandoned their siege of the area as Continental troops under Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold arrived to aid the weary New York and Massachusetts troops. Cannon salute and flag ceremony from 3 to 3:30 p.m.
August 24 and 25, Tuesday and Wednesday
Museum Collections Tours - 75th Anniversary Event
10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from June 29 to August 25, join park curators for a behind the scenes look at the park museum collection. Learn what it means to take care of a collection and why the park has a collection in the first place. The tour is for people ages 16 and older, and the group size is limited to 8. Sign up is on a first come basis the same day as the tour at the Willett Center Information Desk.
August 25, Wednesday
Founder's Day and 4th Annual Fort Stanwix Junior Ranger Day - 75th Anniversary Event
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The National Park Service was founded on August 25, 1916, and now manages 392 national parks, historic sites, and monuments. Come to Fort Stanwix today and enjoy special programming honoring 93 years of National Parks! Activities to include – planning your own park and learning how to plan an adventure anywhere! Learn how you can help parks improve for the „enjoyment of future generations. Programs throughout the day.
August 26, Thursday to September 6, Monday
Fort Stanwix at the New York State Fair
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join park staff, volunteers and partners at the New York State Fair in Syracuse and explore the National Park Service units in New York and New York‟s many state parks and recreation areas, and cultural, historic and natural sites. Park staff, volunteers and partners will be at the state fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Oriskany Battlefield
Operating Hours and Seasons
Parking Lot Gates Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Programs Available Upon Request
Special Programs
August 6, Friday
Battle of Oriskany Commemoration
7 to 8 p.m.
August 6th holds a special place in the hearts and minds of many people. On this day we commemorate this battle and the sacrifices men and women made on this battlefield. Come join us during this remembrance ceremony and honor all those who struggled on this field of battle.
August 7, Saturday
18th Century Medicine and the Battle of Oriskany
1 to 2 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m
As a result of the battle at Oriskany on August 6th, many were killed or wounded. Their medical treatment may surprise you. Learn about the accepted medical practices of the 18th century that restored some to health and caused others to die. Also learn about the role of the Oneida Indians from Oriska who cared for the wounded after the battle. Bring a blanket to sit on the lawn and join these programs beginning at 1 and 2 p.m. at the General Nicholas Herkimer monument.
Steuben Memorial State Historic Site
Operating Hours and Seasons
Parking Lot Gate Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Programs Available Upon Request
Special Programs
August 14, Saturday
Picnic with the Baron - Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
12 noon to 2 p.m.
Friedrich von Steuben was a strong supporter of public education. Bring your picnic lunch and discover 18th century educational opportunities, write with a quill and ink, use flash cards to learn the alphabet, and read children‟s stories with the park rangers. Please remember, if you bring a lunch, Steuben Memorial is a pack in - pack out site. Also, please bring your own water or other nonalcoholic drink.
August 15, Sunday
Growing Words - Literature in the Baron's Garden
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Baron Steuben put down roots in the wilderness of Upstate NY, and kept in correspondence with his friends, especially about gardening. See samples of these letters. Compare his garden plans with his friends, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Consult farmers' almanacs of the time and today's. Start your own almanac and garden journal with quill pen and ink.
Fort Stanwix National Monument is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the park is free. Activities are ongoing unless noted. For more information about upcoming events please call the park at (315) 338-7730. Please visit the park’s web page at www.nps.gov/fost for additional information about the park and up-to-date news about park events.
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