• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar

New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Adirondacks & NNY
  • Capital-Saratoga
  • Mohawk Valley
  • Hudson Valley & Catskills
  • NYC & Long Island
  • Western NY
  • History
  • Nature & Environment
  • Arts & Culture
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Food & Farms
  • Subscribe
  • Support
  • Submit
  • About
  • New Books
  • Events
  • Podcasts

Archaeological Survey Begins Search For Fort Bull

May 31, 2019 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Map showing Fort Bulls relationship to other French and British posts in 1750Archaeologists from Binghamton University, State University of New York have started their search for the remains of the French and Indian War’s Fort Bull, an important British military outpost on Wood Creek at the Oneida Carry near Rome, NY.

Rome Historical Society (RHS) is working with Binghamton University’s Public Archaeology Facility (PAF) to locate and identify cultural features related to the British fortification. The research is a first step in the path to preservation for Fort Bull.

In addition to the recent listing of Fort Wood Creek on the National Register of Historic Places, this current project will help to recognize the importance of the region during the French and Indian War and the Nation’s history. Brian Grills, PAF’s project director, said that Fort Bull is a significant part of the region’s pre-Revolutionary War history.

Fort Bull was one of two British forts that secured the portage between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek. In 1756, French troops, supported by Native American allies, marched overland from Fort La Presentation (present day Ogdensburg) and attacked the British fort on the Oneida Carry. The French destroyed Fort Bull and killed or captured nearly 60 of the British garrison. The French victory deprived the British at Fort Oswego of vital supplies, ending British plans to attack the French-held Fort Niagara and leading to the French capture of Fort Oswego later that year.

Soon after the destruction of Fort Bull, the British returned and built Fort Wood Creek. Some say the new fort was built over the remains of Fort Bull, while others are convinced that traces of Fort Bull remain buried outside the footprint of Fort Wood Creek which is still visible today. PAF’s research will help answer the question about the location and what remains of Fort Bull.

The research is supported by a grant from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program. Funds for this project will allow researchers to conduct a detailed historical and military terrain analysis of the Fort Bull Battlefield. Archaeologists will also use innovative remote sensing technology to identify possible features or remains related to the fort. The results of this research will support a more informed assessment of Fort Bull’s location and serve as the first step in developing a long-term preservation strategy. Achieving these goals will accomplish a critical step to placing the greater military landscape associated with the Fort on the path to preservation.

The results from this research will help RHS develop a preservation plan for Fort Bull. “As stewards of Fort Bull, we are excited to work with PAF and our partners to ensure the battlefield and its fortification are protected for future generations.” said Arthur L. Simmons III, Executive Director of RHS.

Archaeologists will conduct their documentary and field research throughout 2019. The Rome Historical Society and the Public Archaeology Facility will plan to present the results in a public presentation after completion of the research. To learn more about plans to preserve Fort Bull, contact the Rome Historical Society.

The Rome Historical Society is located at 200 Church Street, Rome. For more information, call (315) 336-5870, or visit their website.

Illustration: Map showing Fort Bull’s relationship to other French and British posts in 1750.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: History, Mohawk Valley Tagged With: Archaeology, French And Indian War, Military History, Rome Historical Society, SUNY Binghamton

About Editorial Staff

Stories written under the Editorial Staff byline are drawn from press releases and other notices. Submit your news to New York Almanack here.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Help Finish Our 2022 Fundraising

Subscribe to New York Almanack

Subscribe! Follow the New York Almanack each day via E-mail, RSS, Twitter or Facebook updates.

Recent Comments

  • William Mills on DEC & APA Defy The Courts And Keep Unconstitutional Trails Open
  • Editorial Staff on Timber Framing Workshops at Finger Lakes Museum
  • Editorial Staff on Utica’s Henry DiSpirito: Stonemason to Sculptor
  • Sharon on Utica’s Henry DiSpirito: Stonemason to Sculptor
  • Robert A Rowe on Russell Shorto: The Dutch-American Perspective
  • Bill Wirz on Timber Framing Workshops at Finger Lakes Museum
  • Bob Meyer on State Rebuilding of High Peaks Wilderness Roads Challenged in Court
  • John Warren on Smugglers & The Law: Prohibition In Northern New York
  • Willem Bustraan (Amsterdam) on Restless Roamer: James Smithson’s Final Journey
  • Kim on Smugglers & The Law: Prohibition In Northern New York

Recent New York Books

The Sugar Act and the American Revolution
battle of harlem hights
Ladies Day at the Capitol
voices of wayne county
CNY Snowstorm book front cover
The Struggles of Boston's Black Workers in the Civil War Era
Expanded Second Edition of Echoes in These Mountains
historic kingston book
Buffalo Sports cover re-re-sized.indd

Secondary Sidebar

preservation league
Protect the Adirondacks Hiking Guide