Originally a church built in 1772, the Old Stone Fort in Schoharie, New
York became camp for about 800 loyalists during the
Revolutionary War. The church was enclosed by a log stockade from 1777 to 1785.
When the stockade was removed, the building resumed its use as a church until
1844.
The fort was sold to the state for $800 and used during the
Civil War as an armory. Eventually, it was given to Schoharie County
for historical use. The Schoharie County Historical Society was formed to operate
a museum at the old fort. By 1899, a catalog of 2,500 items was published.
There are multiple exhibits that populate this historical
site. This including the William
Badgely Museum
and carriage house (1972), Shaeffer-Ingold Dutch barn, a one-room school house
(1900), and many other curious exhibits. It also holds an exhibit of 20th
century communications where many old radios and other forms of communication
are gathered in one exhibit.
The fort complex also holds one of America's
oldest fire engines; Deluge No.1, from 1731 joins thousands of other antiques
and artifacts from the war. For the history buffs, a research library is
available. There are also many costumed people around to assist with the
learning experience.
There have been significant artifact additions since the
catalog of 2,500 items was initially created. There are collections of many
different historical items such as guns, weapons, arrowheads, buttons,
electronics, etc. A lot of items have been donated by certain families whom were
also included in the main exhibit. There are also a lot of documents that were
collected and preserved delicately under glass exhibits.
The Old Stone Fort also has a one-room schoolhouse that is
meant for kids to play  with. There are articles of clothing for kids to try and
imitate being in the schoolhouse during those times as well. At another
exhibit, there is a treasure hunt for one of the rooms with a checklist of
items to find.
There are a lot of events that take place at the fort. When
I visited, there were costumed militia-men ready to take pictures. There are
also featured re-enactments that are listed under events on their main website.
If you are observant when you visit, you will see the cannonball hole from the
rear of the building.
Resources:
http://www.schohariehistory.net/OSF.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Stone_Fort_(Schoharie,_NY)
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Re: The Old Stone Fort
