FORT STANWIX AND ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE SIGN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Date: April 25, 2008
Contact: Deborah L. Conway, 315-336-3113
Contact: Eileen Larrabee, 518 486-1868

Officials of the National Park Service (NPS) and the New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation have entered into a cooperative management agreement for the management of Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site and Steuben Memorial State Historic Site. Under this agreement, Fort Stanwix National Monument staff will provide day-to-day management of the two New York State historic sites. National Park Service park rangers and maintenance employees will work with existing OPRHP employees to provide site maintenance, interpretive and educational programs and other visitor services.

“This is a great opportunity to share resources and better connect the stories of these sites.” says Fort Stanwix National Monument Superintendent Debbie Conway. “The battle of Oriskany ensued because of the efforts by the Tryon County militia to relieve the besieged fort during the American Revolution in 1777. Baron von Steuben was a key military leader during the revolution. Both sites have a rich history which we are looking forward to sharing with the visitors.”

“This partnership will lead to a more meaningful experience for Oriskany Battlefield and Von Steuben Memorial State Historic Site visitors,” said New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash. “People like Baron Von Steuben and places like the Oriskany Battlefield helped shape the course of the American Revolution. I look forward to bringing the expertise of the National Parks Service staff to these unique historic sites to help better illuminate New York’s storied history.”

Under the agreement, the NPS will:

• Provide interpretive and educational programs on a routine basis, including black powder demonstrations;
• Supervise existing OPRHP staff and manage day-to-day operations of the two state facilities; and
• Explore with OPRHP ways to enhance the partnership, for example, by providing trail connections between the sites.

OPRHP will provide $260,200 over five years to the NPS to cover general operating costs such as utilities, supplies and seasonal staff support. The New York State OPRHP sites remain in the ownership of New York State but gain access to the additional resources and expertise of the National Park Service at Fort Stanwix National Monument.
    

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