August Activities at Fort Stanwix National Monument and at Partner Sites

Date: July 24, 2009
Contact: MIKE KUSCH, 315.338.7730

Rome, NY — This August, rediscover Fort Stanwix National Monument, and Oriskany Battlefield and Steuben Memorial State Historic Sites. Whether you are interested in exploring military, civilian or American Indian history, listening to summer evening concerts, or simply walking the grounds and having a picnic lunch; you will find an activity that meets your interests. There are activities for people of all ages. And best of all, there are no admission costs for visiting or participating in special activities and events – the sites are free!

"August is a busy month at Fort Stanwix. Visitors from throughout the United States and the world visit the park to enjoy our daily activities. There is something for everyone," said Mike Kusch, Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management. "In addition to experiencing Fort Stanwix for the first or the 100th time, please also visit the Oriskany Battlefield and Steuben Memorial State Historic Sites. Through a partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, National Park Service Rangers will be working at these sites."

Hours of Operation

Fort Stanwix National Monument

Willett Center: Open Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fort: Open Daily from 9:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Fort Grounds (Outside the Fort): Open Daily 24 hours a day

Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site

Entrance Gate: Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Battlefield Grounds: Open Daily Dawn to Dusk

Steuben Memorial State Historic Site

Entrance Gate: Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Memorial Grounds: Open Daily Dawn to Dusk

Summer Daily Activity Schedule at Fort Stanwix

Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday

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

Tuesday

10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Tuesday Fun at the Fort - Children’s Program

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

Wednesday

2 to 2:30 p.m. Legacy of Fort Stanwix Tour

3 to 3:30 p.m. Historic Weapons Demonstration

4 to 4:30 p.m. Legacy of Fort Stanwix Park Tour

Special Activities and Events

August 3, Monday
The Siege Begins
From August 3 to 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 and flag ceremony take place at 11 a.m. inside the Fort.

August 4, Tuesday Fun at the Fort - Revolutionary Children
On Tuesdays, from July 7 to August 4, join park rangers 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 6, Thursday
Willett's Sortie
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. Cannon signal fire at 11 a.m., Sortie at 2 p.m. Programs begin inside the Fort.

August 15, Saturday
Futile Thunder
The British forces besieged Fort Stanwix with undersized artillery. The Oneida Indian Nation joins park rangers to present this program. Cannon demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the east lawn (Black River Boulevard side) at the Fort.

August 23, Sunday
The Siege Ends
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 at 3 p.m. inside the Fort.

August 25, Tuesday
Founder's Day & 3rd Annual Fort Stanwix Junior Ranger Day
The NPS 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! At National Parks you explore how you can help preserve parks for the ‘enjoyment of future generations.’

Partner Sites

Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site - The site is open from dawn to dusk; the entrance gate is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the park ranger and explore the stories of this pivotal day in August 1777 that had profound effects on American, British and Canadian history. Bring a picnic lunch, reflect upon and enjoy the freedoms given to us by our gallant fore bearers during the American Revolutionary War. Please remember, if you bring a lunch, Oriskany Battlefield is a pack in - pack out facility. Also, please your own water to drink.

Steuben Memorial State Historic Site - The site is open from dawn to dusk; the entrance gate is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On land given by the State of New York for his service to the country during the American Revolutionary War, General Fredrick von Steuben constructed a cabin and invited immigrants to settle on the land. It is here that he is buried. Steuben was known for his generosity and hosting enjoyable picnics and parties for friends and neighbors. Take time to visit the site and enjoy a family picnic in honor of a man who sacrificed much to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. A park ranger will be on site to assist you in exploring the life of an important man in United States history. Please remember, if you bring a lunch, Steuben Memorial is a pack in, pack out facility. Also, please your own water to drink.

The mission of Fort Stanwix National Monument is to preserve the location and objects associated with the military, political, and cultural events that occurred at the site and to provide opportunities for visitor understanding and appreciation of these events. Fort Stanwix National Monument is significant because it commemorates the broader contest of nations for economic and political control of the rich resources within the Mohawk Valley region of New York State during the 18th century: in particular, the Siege of 1777, the stories of the combatants involved, and European-American Indian and United States-American Indian relations.

Fort Stanwix National Monument is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the park, and Oriskany Battlefield and Steuben Memorial State Historic Sites are 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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