From Memory to Monument:

Blueprint plan of Fort Stanwix. (Fort Stanwix National Monument Collection, FOST 31500)

For the past 40 years, Fort Stanwix has stood as a reconstruction nestled in the heart of Rome, New York. The road to reconstructing the 18th century past was led by members of the Rome community and forever changed the City of Rome.

These images and film clips visually represent the process of reconstructing Fort Stanwix. This exhibit is also on display at two venues that each provide a different perspective of these events. If you would like to experience this exhibit in person, be sure to visit the park's visitor center and Rome Historical Society.

**Welcome Friends! Welcome Strangers! On this Greatest of Great Days

Fort Stanwix and Oriskany Come Forth from the Distant Past, Reincarnate!

May the Memory of this Event be Cherished by You,

as Will Your Presence Always be to Our People, a Charming Recollection

~ Headline of Rome Daily Sentinel, August 6, 1927.**

A Fort

Interest in the site continued to grow in the community and the Fort Stanwix Museum, operated by the Rome Historical Society (RHS), set out to locate the archeological remains of Fort Stanwix.

Former Airforce Colonel, J. Duncan Campbell, “boldly argued that more than 60 percent of the original fort features were still recoverable, leaving open the door for further archaeological work.”

~ Reconstructing the Past and Partnering for the Future: Fort Stanwix National Monument, 2008.

Newspaper headline from 1969 showing the proposed urban renewal plans that include reconstructing Fort Stanwix. Fort Stanwix National Monument Collection, FOST 31500

A Community

“I think that when National Park Service finally made the commitment that as

part of the urban renewal project, they would rebuild Fort Stanwix,

that is the real impetus...and gave the project a national prominence.”

~ William Flinchbaugh, Executive Director City of Rome Urban Renewal, 1976.

The requested video is no longer available.

The City of Rome donated 16 acres of land to the National Park Service to reconstruct Fort Stanwix. Once the buildings were removed from the site, archeological excavations could begin. Fort Stanwix National Monument Collections, FOST 22153

“The National Park Service began archeological investigations in July, 1970, under Dick Ping Hsu…"

~ Casemates and Cannonballs: Archeological Investigations at Fort Stanwix National Monument, 1975.

Dick Hsu's Field Journal Entry:

We began work at 8:10 AM. It was overcast and cool. There was no slumpage during the night, but there was some quite regularly during the day. It began raining steadily at 8:45 AM. The demolition of the gym and swimming pool began at 10:45 AM. The entire building was down by 4:00 PM. I continued explorations in the Carpenters Temple in the afternoon. At 4:00 PM we erected a fence across Willett Street. Afternoon was cool and partly cloudy. We began extending Excavation Unit #1. Had Benedict and Getzels removing dark ground features of an old fireplace as training in the use of the trowel.

Archeological excavations took place from 1970 to 1974. Fort Stanwix National Monument Collection, FOST 22153

"Because of the lack of time and a limit to the area available for excavation (the site was still inhabited) work during the first season concentrated on locating the fort, and identifying key features to which 18th-century plans could be related.”

~ Casemates and Cannonballs: Archeological

Investigations at Fort Stanwix National Monument, 1975.

The requested video is no longer available.

Volunteers with the Fort Stanwix Garrison. Fort Stanwix National Monument Collection, FOST 22153

A Future

“May this Fort stand as a reminder of the sacrifices made by our Revolutionary soldiers who served here and as a tribute to the 20th Century Americans who banded together to restore and preserve this vital part of our national heritage.”

~ Thomas Kelppe, Secretary of the Interior,

Speech given on May 22, 1976.

On May 20, 1976, the reconstructed

fort opened to the public under much

pomp and circumstance.

Approximately 90 volunteers had been

preparing for the public since 1973 with

the formation of the Fort Stanwix Garrison.

The requested video is no longer available.

Even though this project is near to completion, near reality, it's still embryonic, as it will affect the life of this community...the good years are all in the future.

~ William Flinchbaugh, Executive Director Rome Urban Renewal

Made in America: Rome, NY

Annual Visitation to

Fort Stanwix Since Opening

1976 ~ 211,700

1977 ~ 102,000

1978 ~ 87,043

1979 ~ 68,288

1980 ~ 64,975

1981 ~ 60,696

1982 ~ 66,595

1983 ~ 63,154

1984 ~ 56,352

1985 ~ 67,100

1986 ~ 57,857

1987 ~ 45,338

1988 ~ 52,659

1989 ~ 51,271

1990 ~ 53,007

1991 ~ 57,172

1992 ~ 59,621

1993 ~ 54,785

1994 ~ 50,193

1995 ~ 56,139

1996 ~ 48,429

1997 ~ 82,552

1998 ~ 46,007

1999 ~ 51,228

2000 ~ 38,667

2001 ~ 53,065

2002 ~ 77,863

2003 ~ 56,646

2004 ~ 68,427

2005 ~ 38,237

2006 ~ 60,589

2007 ~ 59,643

2008 ~ 71,263

2009 ~ 93,170

2010 ~ 103,748

2011 ~ 102,874

2012 ~ 195,057

2013 ~ 129,089

2014 ~ 60,819

2015 ~ 86,678

2016 ~ 94,006

Total ~ 2,997,864

As the National Park Service moves through the next 100 years, Fort Stanwix National Monument remains dedicated to preserving the archeology of the fort, the objects from the people who lived here, and the reconstruction as a way to educate and inspire the next generation Americans with the local histories of resilience, freedom, and community here in Rome.

Left image

Right image

A modern view of James Street in Rome, NY looking north. To the right you can see the grounds of Fort Stanwix National Monument.

Credit: National Park Service

Part of a series of articles titled
The Momentous History of a Monument.

Previous:
Welcome to 1935, The Year That Created a National Monument

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