Independence Day and Weekend Events

Date: June 30, 2008
Contact: Bill Sawyer, 315-338-7730

Rome, NY — Fort Stanwix National Monument will celebrate our nation's Independence Day with events throughout the weekend of July 4th to 7th. Events include public readings of the Declaration of Independence, honoring the soldiers buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, and remembering the sacrifices the people of the Mohawk Valley made as a result of they decisions made at the Battle of Oriskany. Come out Friday night and enjoy the music of the Rome Community Concert Band which will be followed by the city’s fireworks display. And, enjoy an evening strolling around Fort Stanwix Monday night during our open house.

"At Fort Stanwix we remember those who struggle and sacrifice for our freedoms every day; these are our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and security personnel, and their families. It does not matter if they served over 200 years ago or are deployed around the world today; we owe our freedom to them. Independence Day is always extra special for us. Come out and listen to the words of the Declaration of Independence and be reminded that our freedom has a price; a price often paid with the ultimate sacrifice," said Debbie Conway, Superintendent of Fort Stanwix National Monument. "Join us in standing together to remember and honor their courage, determination and sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today."


July’s Hours of Operation:

Marinus Willett Center           
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fort Stanwix                           
9:15 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Oriskany Battlefield               
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Steuben Memorial                  
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Independence Day and Weekend Special Events:

July 4th-Honoring or Nation’s Heroes – Tomb of Unknown Soldier. The staff at Fort Stanwix joins Rome’s annual event to honor our nation’s heroes at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Liberty and James Streets, 9 a.m.

July 4th-Public Readings of the Declaration of Independence – Fort Stanwix. Join the park staff for the annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

July 4th-Holiday Concert and Fireworks. Come enjoy the music of the Rome Community Concert Band on the west lawn of Fort Stanwix; the concert concludes with the City of Rome’s fireworks, Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

July 5th-Irreversible Decisions, The Legacy of Oriskany – Oriskany Battlefield. These programs explore the impacts of the decisions made at Oriskany that forever changed the lives of families within the Mohawk Valley, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

July 7th-Evening Open House – Fort Stanwix. The Marinus Willett Center and the Fort will be open for early evening visitation and tours in partnership with Utica Monday Nite, 6 to 8 p.m.

Fort Stanwix National Monument is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the park is free.  Activities are ongoing unless noted. For more information about upcoming events please call the park at [phone]. 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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