Fort Montgomery

Heritage Spotlight: Fort Montgomery, Orange County

August 22, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Fort Montgomery was the scene of a fierce Revolutionary War battle for control of the Hudson River. Visitors today can tour the remains of the 14-acre fortification, perched on a cliff overlooking the magnificent Hudson. On October 6th, 1777, British, Loyalist and Hessian forces attacked Fort Montgomery and nearby Fort Clinton.

The defending Americans, outnumbered 3 to 1, fought desperately until driven out of their forts at the points of the enemy bayonets. More than half of the Patriot forces were killed, wounded or captured. [Read more…] about Heritage Spotlight: Fort Montgomery, Orange County

Chains Across the Hudson, Stirling Ironworks & The Townsend Family

April 5, 2022 by Peter Hess 1 Comment

“The importance of the Hudson River in the present contest, and the necessity of defending it, are subjects which have been so frequently and fully discussed and are so well understood that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon them.” – George Washington

It is hard to imagine a time in the United States when highways did not exist, but that was certainly the case at the time of the Revolutionary War. Some cities could brag of their cobblestone streets but once outside the residential area, roads could best be described as single-lane dirt paths, frozen solid but probably covered with snow in winter, mud bogs in spring, and deeply rutted, jarring, swaying and unstable conveyances the rest of the year.

A small military wagon could move along only as fast as a team of oxen could pull it. Moving armies and cannon along these roadways was a slow, difficult undertaking, offering opposing forces considerable advance notice and many opportunities to thwart progress or attack. [Read more…] about Chains Across the Hudson, Stirling Ironworks & The Townsend Family

Twin Forts Day: The Assault on Forts Montgomery and Clinton

October 5, 2017 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site is hosting Twin Forts Day: The Assault on Forts Montgomery and Clinton, on Saturday, October 7 from 10 am to 4 pm.

On October 6, 1777 an invading British Army assaulted Fort Montgomery and nearby Fort Clinton. Outnumbered 3 to 1, the defending Continental soldiers and militia held out as long as they could until at last the forts were overrun, the Continental ships burned by their own crews to prevent capture, and the Great Chain removed. Over half of the garrison was captured or killed. [Read more…] about Twin Forts Day: The Assault on Forts Montgomery and Clinton

Fort Montgomery: A Chain That Saved the Colonies

September 25, 2017 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site will host The Chain that Saved the Colonies, as part of their Thursday Night Speaker, on Thursday, September 28, at 7 pm.

To stop the British from gaining control of the Hudson River during the American Revolution, Peter Townsend manufactured a Great Chain for the Continental Army at his Sterling Furnace and Forge. This chain was placed across the Hudson River at West Point. [Read more…] about Fort Montgomery: A Chain That Saved the Colonies

Living History Program at Fort Montgomery Saturday

August 11, 2016 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Join the staff at Fort Montgomery and the 3rd New Jersey Regiment to find out what it was like to be a Continental Soldier during the American Revolution.

Watch and take part in
tactical demonstrations, drills, camp living demonstrations, and cooking at the Fort. [Read more…] about Living History Program at Fort Montgomery Saturday

Lecture: Lincoln’s Secret Visit to West Point

July 24, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

President Abraham Lincoln made a clandestine trip to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June 1862, during the Civil War. It was his longest journey away from the White House and his only trip to New York State during his Presidency.

Based upon new and original research, Anthony J. Czarnecki, past president of the Lincoln Society in Peekskill, will reveal why Lincoln came to West Point, what he did during his three-day stay in the Lower Hudson Valley, and how history changed as a result of his visit to the Academy. [Read more…] about Lecture: Lincoln’s Secret Visit to West Point

Lecture: David Bushnell’s Turtle and Underwater Mines

December 3, 2013 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

On September 6, 1776 American forces launched the first-ever submarine attack against British warships in New York Harbor. The submarine Turtle utilized in the attack was later called “an effort of genius” by George Washington.

Historian and author Mike Kochan will present the story of the Turtle’s inventor David Bushnell, his development of the first underwater mine and the submarine invented to carry it to the enemy, his later success with drift mines and the resulting Battle of the Kegs. [Read more…] about Lecture: David Bushnell’s Turtle and Underwater Mines

In the Words of Women: Rev War And Nation’s Birth

November 8, 2012 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site will host a presentation entitled “In the Words of Women: The Revolutionary War and the Birth of the Nation, 1765-1799” on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 7 pm.

The book In the Words of Women brings together the writings of women who lived between 1765 and 1799. These writings are organized chronologically around events, battles, and developments from before the Revolution, through its prosecution and aftermath. [Read more…] about In the Words of Women: Rev War And Nation’s Birth

AJ Schenkman: The Hasbrouck Ledger

October 10, 2012 by A. J. Schenkman Leave a Comment

One of the problems in researching the life of Colonel Jonathan Hasbrouck is that there are so few primary sources written by him left to us. We are fortunate that at least one of the treasures that give us a peek into his life, one of his account ledgers, has been preserved. It is a rich source for a researcher of not only Hasbrouck, but of others from his time period as well. [Read more…] about AJ Schenkman: The Hasbrouck Ledger

Forts Montgomery and Clinton: Twin Forts Day

October 3, 2012 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site in the Hudson Highlands on Saturday October 6th will commemorate the 235th anniversary of this bloody battle. Reenactors are portraying the American Continentals and militia as well as the British, their German allies, and the Loyalist Americans. There will be a reenactment of the battle on the actual battlefield of Fort Montgomery; cannon firings, including the fort’s 32-pounder “George” and military drill and living history demonstrations throughout the day.

Schedule:

10:00 AM – Camps Open. Living History Demonstrations and Military Drill throughout the Day
11:00 AM – Guided Tour of Fort Montgomery – Starting at the Museum
12:00 PM – Children’s Musket Drill – Reenactment Field
1:00 PM – Artillery Firing – Grand Battery
1:30 PM – Military Music Demonstration – Grand Battery
2:00 PM – Children’s Musket Drill – Reenactment Field
3:00 PM – “Soldiers of the Twin Forts” – Museum Terrace
4:00 PM – Battle Reenactment – Reenactment Field
5:00PM – Camps Close

Parking will be available off-site with a shuttle bus running throughout the day (follow the posted signs). Twin Forts Day is presented by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, the Fort Montgomery Battle Site Association, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Fort Montgomery is located at 690 Route 9W, ¼ mile north of the Bear Mountain Bridge. The museum and grounds are open Wed. through Sun. 9 AM to 5 PM. Call 845-446-2134 for more information.