Schedule Announced for Rome Appreciation Day at Fort Stanwix National Monument

Date: April 18, 2014
Contact: Valerie Morgan, 315-338-7730

Preparations for the inaugural Rome Appreciation Day are underway at Fort Stanwix NM!The staff and volunteers are excited about welcoming the citizens of Rome to the park, and have many great activities planned for all those who attend.

Exciting living history programs and behind-the scenes tours will allow visitors to discover why the history Fort Stanwix is significant to our national story, how we share the story with visitors from around the world, and why the City of Rome is such an important partner in the success of the site.

From the time the park opens at 9 am until it closes at 5 pm, there will always be something to do!Take a look at the day's schedule, and choose your path:

9:15 am -12:45 pm: Maintenance Facility Tours (Every 30 minutes at :15 and :45 past the hour)
Have you ever wondered how our Maintenance staff keeps the fort clean and safe?Come meet members of the maintenance staff and find out what goes on behind the scenes to keep the park in tip-top shape.

9:30 am and 3:30 pm: Willett Center Gallery Talk
Discover the "Who's Who" of New York's Mohawk Valley in the 1700s, and learn how they influenced events up to and including the AmericanRevolution during this 15-minute talk in the museum gallery.

10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Behind-The –Scenes in Collections Management (Ongoing, limited to 8 at a time)
Learn from museum curators about what it means to preserve and protect the archeological resources found at Fort Stanwix. Discover why archeological research is important to those who interpret the site, and view some of the archeological treasures in the park's museum archives that have been discovered during past excavations.

10:00 am and 2:00 pm: A Walk through Time (Begins at Willett Center)
Join a ranger for an in-depth history walk!This 30-minute program will guide visitors through the site's history from first contact with the Native Americans to how it became a part of the National Park Service.

10:30 am and 2:30 pm: Historic Weapons Program (Inside Fort)
Fort Stanwix was created to defend the frontier of New York State. See a 30- minute demonstration of the historic weapons that were used at the fort during the American Revolution.

10:30 am and 2:30 pm: Historic Weapons Program (Inside Fort)
Fort Stanwix was created to defend the frontier of New York State. See a 30- minute demonstration of the historic weapons that were used at the fort during the American Revolution.

11:00 am and 1:00 pm: Stories of a Wilderness Outpost (Inside Fort)
Join a park ranger for a unique look at life on the western frontier of New York in the 1700s!Discover how a military presence at the Oneida Carrying Place forever changed the area and how the military had to adapt to life on the frontier.

2:00 pm: Superintendent's Chat (Inside Fort – Gregg Barracks Theatre)
Bring your questions and ideas to share with Superintendent Debbie Conway.She will be available for a 1-hour "Superintendent's Chat" to share what challenges and opportunities the park is facing at this time.Have your questions answered about past, present, and future initiatives, and learn about some of the planning underway to celebrate the National Park Service's centennial in 2016.

3:30 pm: Daily Life Demonstration (Inside Fort)
Explore what daily life might have been like for those who lived, visited, or traded at Fort Stanwix during this special living history demonstration.

4:15 pm: Junior Ranger Activity (Willett Center)
Designed for children ages 5-12 and their families!As part of the national "Let's Move Outside" program, create a take-home Fort Stanwix garden with fresh vegetables to enjoy at harvest time.

While you're at the park, be sure to visit the Eastern National bookstore in the Willett Center.The bookstore offers a wide array of books and gift items relating to the fort's history and the National Park Service.Thanks to Eastern National, those with proof of residence in the 13440, 13441, and 13442 ZIP codes will enjoy a 10% discount off their purchase.

The park staff and volunteers are looking forward to showing the local community how much their continued partnership and support means to both Fort Stanwix NM and the National Park Service. Whether you have a few minutes or a few hours to spend with us, we are certain you will make some long-lasting memories as part of your day!

Fort Stanwix National Monument is open seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission to the park is free. 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.