New York, Montgomery County, Fort Plain![]()
First Frame of Text: Fort Plain Museum
Fort Plain, also known as Fort Rensselaer, was built 1778-79 on two-thirds of an acre of hilltop, an ideal strategic and defensive position. Families from nearby settlements retreated behind the fort's stockade for protection from enemy raids. In the spring of 1781 Fort Plain replaced Fort Stanwix as the western headquarters for the defense of the Mohawk Valley, under the command of Colonel Marinus Willett.
Archeological digs have confirmed the plan of the original 1779 Fort Plain. Willet expanded the fort in 1781 with a redoubt and new buildings to house as many as 600 troops. A new blockhouse designed by Major Jean de Villefranche was added in 1782 to hold 200 men. General George Washington inspected the fort on a tour of the region in 1783.
Second Frame of Text:
During the American Revolution, almost half of the military actions in New York State occurred along the strategic corridor of the Mohawk Valley. In 1777 British, Native American and Loyalist battalions attacked from the west and north. Defeats at Fort Stanwix and elsewhere forced a British surrender at Saratoga, the war's turning point.
The bloodshed at Oriskany in 1777 was one of many encounters between former neighbors on the battlefield. In this region the Revolution was a civil war that divided families and communities, both European and Native American. Many stayed loyal to the British King and were forced to move, forfeiting their property. The remainder took up arms or struggled to remain neutral.
For seven long years enemy raids terrorized the Mohawk Valley, periodically burning the fertile farms of this "bread basket" of New York. By 1783, the region had been reduced to little more than fortified homesteads, militia posts and abandoned fields.
Explore the many sides of America's revolution for independence. Visit the Revolutionary War Heritage Trail sites of the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor.
Revolutionary War Heritage Sites by Regions:
Western Region
1. Shako:wi Oneida Cultural Center, Oneida
2. Fort Stanwix National Monument, Rome
3. Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site, Oriskany
4. Steuben Memorial State Historic Site, Remsen
5. Oneida County Historical Society, Utica
6. Herkimer County Historical Society, Herkimer
7. Fort Herkimer Church, German Flatts
8. Herkimer Home State Historic Site, Little Falls
9. Indian Castle Church, Danube
Central Region
10. Margaret Reaney Memorial Library, St. Johnsville
11. Nellis Tavern, St. Johnsville
12. Fort Klock, St. Johnsville
13. Fort Plain Museum, Fort Plain
14. Palatine Church, Town of Palatine
15. Stone Arabia Preservation Society, Stone Arabia
16. Van Alstyne Homestead, Canajoharie
17. Cherry Valley Museum, Cherry Valley
18. Johnstown: Johnson Hall State Historic Site, Battle of Johnstown, Drumm House, Tryon County Courthouse, Fort Johnstown
19. Montgomery Co. History & Archives, Fonda
20. Old Fort Johnson, Fort Johnson
21. Guy Park, Amsterdam
22. Old Stone Fort Museum, Schoharie
23. Palatine House, Schoharie
24. Battle of Flockey, Fultonham
Eastern Region
25. Mabee Farm, Rotterdam Junction
26. Schenectady Stockade, Schenectady
27. Philip Schuyler Country House, Schuylerville
28. Saratoga National Historical Park, Stillwater
29. Van Schaick Mansion, Cohoes
30. Crailo State Historic Site, Rensselaer
31. Albany: Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, Ten Broeck Mansion
(Forts, Castles • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 11 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Sand Hill School
Sailing vessels used two channels when navigating this part of Green Bay. The first was the western passage on the far side of Chambers Island. The second lies before you: the treacherous passage between the shore and the Strawberry Islands.
1779
First Frame of Text: Fort Plain Museum
This Church Was Moved to
Tredegar Iron Works
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