Fort Stanwix National Monument
Rome, N.Y.
Visited: April 30, 2004
NPS Site Visited: 31 of 353
NPS Website
 WHAT IS IT?
A reconstruction of the fort the American Continental Army used in 1777 to repel the British during the early stages of the Revolutionary War.
BEAUTY (3/10)
To recreate the historical fort, the city of Rome moved or demolished homes and businesses, some of them historical landmarks themselves, from several city blocks. Fort Stanwix sits on the cleared land.
It is quite disconcerting to see a relatively new (the Fort was completed in 1976) 18th Century-era wood fort in downtown Rome, New York. Although decidedly neat looking, the Fort’s placement and pristine nature just does not make sense. Even though the drawbridge, the turrets, the cannons, etc… are standing exactly where they did nearly 250 years ago Fort Stanwix looks and feels more like Epcot Center ® than a National Parks Site.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE (6/10)
The Fort does stand exactly where it did when originally built in 1758. Nearly all parts of the Fort have been faithfully reconstructed. It is easy to imagine what life must have been like under siege for 20 days. How historically important was the siege at Fort Stanwix? The Fort Stanwix National Monument literature says that it was vital to the American cause. Without the victories at both Fort Stanwix and at Saratoga a few months later the French would not have pledged their support to the United States. The Saratoga NHP literature and film does not emphasize the Fort Stanwix siege.
CROWDS (7/10)
We attended Fort Stanwix NM on a delightful 80 degree Thursday in April. Two days earlier it had actually snowed. Everyone at the Fort was in high spirits. We were also lucky enough to be entertained by a large group of 6th graders on a field trip. They marched two to a row around the Fort’s parade ground yelling orders while carrying fake wooden muskets on their shoulders. Later, a Ranger dressed like a Revolutionary War soldier taught them all the proper way to load, unlock and fire their flintlock facsimiles. It was just like our lesson at the Minute Man NHP except a lot funnier. There were also no actual shots fired.
The only field trip Michael remembers as a grade-schooler was a similar trip to Gettysburg. He marched, carried fake rifles, real drums and American flags. The Park Service Ranger sparked his imagination back then by engaging him in history. He even recalls specific historical discussions the class had about the reasons behind the war, the food the soldiers ate, and how many of the soldiers died. We learn when we are allowed to become involved and are not just ears at one end of a lecture.
 EASE OF USE/ACCESS (2/5)
Rome, N.Y. is easy to get to, being just a few miles away from New York Thruway exits 32 or 33. You can’t miss the Fort either. It is near downtown and takes up a lot of space. If that doesn’t help you, there are numerous brown NPS signs to lead you to the destination. The NPS signs lead you into a paid Parking Garage across the street. We parked next to what we thought was the Visitor Center. We were wrong but thankfully our car wasn’t towed.
We went on our tour with a gentleman in a wheelchair. He found it difficult to get into most of the Fort’s rooms. His room entry problem was somewhat alleviated when the Park Ranger brought out a homemade wooden ramp. He still couldn’t get into a few of the soldiers quarters and there was no possible way for him to climb the steep stairs to any of the Fort’s bastions. We thought that the bastions, with their cannons, embrasures and parapets were the coolest part of the Fort. You can easily picture the places, some 150 to 600 yards away, from which the British fired their cannons for 20 solid days. Our friend in the wheelchair could not.
CONCESSIONS/BOOKSTORE (2/5)
Nothing special.
COSTS (4/5)
Free.
RANGER/GUIDE TO TOURIST RATIO (4/5)
With two Park Rangers and four Period-dressed volunteers, we were never left wanting for information. Although none of them could explain to Gabby why the fort is known as Fort Stanwix and not Fort Schuyler, the name it held during the Revolutionary War.
TOURS/CLASSES (6/10)
The introductory 20-minute video is at least 15 years old. It does not wear its age well. It tells the story of the siege with poor actors and a mildly interesting script, obsessed with scalping. If you are at all familiar with the history of Fort Stanwix, skip the video.
On the other hand, the Self-Guided Walking Tour pamphlet is terrific. It succinctly and thoroughly explains each of the Fort’s 23 rooms. Our tour guide, a volunteer, did not add much to the pamphlets descriptions.
 FUN (5/10)
We had fun and it sure looked like the grade school kids had a good time. The Site is a great example of living history. And it is free. We have already passed over many living history museums because of both their exorbitant price and dubious historic authenticity. Plimouth Plantation at $22 a person and Slater Mill at $7 are two examples. We are already balking at the $50 entrance fee to Colonial Williamsburg.
WOULD WE RECOMMEND? (3/10)
Only for Revolutionary War diehards. The Fort is nice but it is a complete reconstruction. We will be going to other National Park Service forts and will see how Fort Stanwix compares.
TOTAL 42/80
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