Visit Fort Stanwix National Monument
Take a virtual tour of this pivotal location in the American War of Independence
Ariel view of Fort Stanwix including entranceFort Stanwix National Monument
Built by the British
Fort Stanwix was originally built in the summer of 1758 during the French and Indian war as a strategic site along the water route from Lake Ontario to the Hudson, under Brigadier General John Stanwix. The fort was abandoned at the end of the war and fell into ruins.
Restored by the Americans
In July 1776, American Continental troops under Colonel Dayton occupied the site and began rebuilding it. On August 15, 1776, the repaired fort was officially declared usable and renamed Fort Schuyler after Major General Philip Schuyler, the commander of the Continental Army's Northern Department.
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Bastion against the British
On this virtual tour you can look around Fort Stanwix and discover key elements of the fort, including what life was like on a military base. Be sure to use your cursor to move around and get a real feeling for the place.
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Welcome to Fort Stanwix National Monument
The structure is earth and timber clad with reinforced concrete. We are on a 50 foot long wood plank bridge over a ditch leading up to the entry to the fort. The drawbridge is located at the end of the walkway. When it is down, the drawbridge floor looks like an extension of the walkway.
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The fort's corners are built at 45° angles and around the fort the walls have embrasures, an opening through which cannons can be fired.
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Inside the fort
Wooden cabin-like barracks create a quad in the center of the fort. The dirt walkway goes around the quad and in the center is a grass area with a cannon, which sits on top of a rectangular base made of wooden planks.
Discharging the cannon, fort battlementFort Stanwix National Monument
Discharging the cannon
A reenactment of the cannon being fired through the embrasure.
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Flag pole bastion
Along the edge of the fort is a step staircase that goes from the ground level to the flag bastion.
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Defiance and the 1777 siege
The most significant flag ever hoisted is still unknown. Several descriptions exist. All are red, white, and blue, but arranged very differently. It was flown throughout August 1777, during a siege finally won by the Third New York Regiment and their allies.
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Jansen barracks or south east casemate
Soldiers’ Barracks called "Jansen" was built into the walls of the fort with thick log roofs and walls. Though cramped and dusty, these barracks provided extra warmth and protection from enemy attack, compared to the freestanding barracks.
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Inside Jansen barracks
The barracks for the enlisted soldiers appear primitive with the dirt floor and the long beds, called cribs. When not under siege, Fort Schuyler was an isolated frontier post. The men and the wider garrison endured supply shortages and freezing conditions.
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Southwest bombproof
During the 21-day siege, the British lobbed mortar shells relentlessly over the fort's walls. The only sanctuary was underground. These subterranean rooms, reinforced by massive logs and packed dirt, served as the fort's ultimate shield.
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Inside the bombproof
This subterranean sanctuary served two critical functions during the siege: protecting the fort's vital records and treasure and providing a haven for vulnerable inhabitants.
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Original fireplace
This hearth was unearthed in the early 1970s as archeological excavations began. It was located within an officer's barracks of the historic Fort Schuyler. It was left on view to the public, over the years. But time and exposure has taken its toll on it.
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