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Old Fort Johnson

The French and Indian War: A New York Perspective

August 31, 2023 by Peter Hess Leave a Comment

Miniature of Fort Prince George under attack by French troops (diorama in the Fort Pitt Museum, Pittsburgh)In the early 1750s, the French were establishing trading posts and building forts along western the frontiers of the British colonies. In the fall of 1753, in part to protect his own land claims, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie had sent 22-year-old George Washington (then a militia leader and surveyor) to deliver a letter to Fort Le Boeuf at what is today Waterford in northwest Pennsylvania, demanding they stop.

When Washington returned without success, Dinwiddie sent a small force to build Fort Prince George at the confluence of the Allegheny  and Monongahela Rivers (today Pittsburgh). Soon a larger French force arrived, torn down the small British fort, and began and built Fort Duquesne, named for then Governor-General of New France, Marquis Duquesne. [Read more…] about The French and Indian War: A New York Perspective

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, History, Mohawk Valley, Western NY Tagged With: Albany, Albany County, Appalachian Mountains, Battle of Carillon, Battle of Lake George, Canada, Crown Point, Detroit, Edward Braddock, Ephraim Williams, Essex County, Fort Carillon, Fort Duquesne, Fort Edward, Fort Frontenac, Fort Oriskany, Fort Oswego, Fort St. Frederic, Fort Ticonderoga, Fort William Henry, French And Indian War, French History, George Monro, George Washington, Hendrick Theyanoguin, Hudson River, Indigenous History, James Abercromby, James Wolfe, Jean-Armand Dieskau, John Bradstreet, Joseph Blanchard, Joseph Brant, Lake Erie, Lake George, Lord Howe, Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, Military History, Mohawk, Mohawk River, Montreal, New France, Niagara River, Ohio, Ohio River Valley, Old Fort Johnson, Old Fort Niagara, Oneida Lake, Oswego, Oswego River, Pennsylvania, Philip Schuyler, Pontiac's War, Quebec, Robert Rogers, Rogers' Rangers, Saratoga County, Seneca Nation, Seven Years War, Siege of Fort William Henry, Virginia, Virginia History, Warren County, William Shirley

Montgomery County Establishes Commission for America’s 250th Anniversary

July 10, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Revolutionary War reenactorsAs the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Montgomery County, NY is making its own preparations by establishing a commission to create educational programming, events and messaging to promote the county’s significant connections to the Revolutionary War. [Read more…] about Montgomery County Establishes Commission for America’s 250th Anniversary

Filed Under: Events, History Tagged With: American Revolution, Battle of Stone Arabia, Fort Klock, Fort Lewis, Fort Plain, Fort Plain Museum, Isaac Paris House, Montgomery County, Old Fort Johnson, Palatine Church, Stone Arabia, Stone Arabia Church, Tryon County Militia, Van Alstyne House

Scott Haefner of Old Fort Johnson on Historians Podcast

August 10, 2018 by Bob Cudmore 1 Comment

The His torians LogoThis week on The Historians Podcast, site manager Scott Haefner talks about Old Fort Johnson, the 1749 limestone house that British Indian agent William Johnson built on the Mohawk River in colonial New York. It was fortified for protection during the French and Indian Wars. [Read more…] about Scott Haefner of Old Fort Johnson on Historians Podcast

Filed Under: History Tagged With: French And Indian War, Military History, Mohawk River, Old Fort Johnson, Podcasts

Old Fort Johnson Flood Recovery Events Planned

November 23, 2011 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Amsterdam City Hall and Old Fort Johnson National Historic Landmark will bring history and creativity together as local area businesses, designers, organizations and individuals craft festive wreaths for all seasons that will decorate Amsterdam City Hall. All the wreaths will be available for sale at a silent auction, and all the proceeds will go to Old Fort Johnson’s Flood Recovery Fund.

It has been over two months since Old Fort Johnson National Historic Landmark was damaged by devastating floods. Approximately five feet of water rushed into the Old Fort, reaching the tops of the mantels on the first floor. The Visitor’s Center had close to two feet of water inside, and the 18th century privy was tipped on its side. Restoration costs have been high and there is still much work that needs to be done.

The event will kick off on Saturday & Sunday, November 26th & 27th with an open house at Amsterdam City Hall where there will be a children’s craft activity, holiday refreshments, local items for sale and wreath hunt to locate the many mini-wreaths hidden throughout City Hall. You can also do a little holiday shopping.

Amsterdam City Hall will be decorated with almost 50 wreaths of all types and for all seasons. Many include gift cards or other items. For example, Dolci Bake Shoppe’s “Sugar and Spice, Emerald Cinemas’ “Experience the Magic of the Movies”, Oakes Framing and Art Gallery’s Ebeneezer’s Redemption”, and the Marching Rams, Boosters and Alumi’s “All That Glitters” all have gift certificates included with their wreaths. Damiano’s Flower’s wreath “Pine Cone Greeting” has a matching table centerpiece. Other wreaths include Rulison Honey Farm’s “Sweetness and Light”, Get It Done Construction’s “Sweet But Don’t Eat” , Kara Reed’s “Christmas at the Cape”, and Mary Lou Kristie’s “Four Seasons” to name just a few of the wreaths that will be a part of this fundraising event.

On Saturday, November 26, local author Bob Cudmore will be on hand from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to sign his latest book – “Stories from the Mohawk Valley: the Painted Rocks, the Good Benedict Arnold and More”, a great holiday gift. Also, Rachelle Cotugno will be providing musical entertainment singing holiday carols. On Sunday, November 27, the Amsterdam High School Select Chorus will be performing at 3:00 pm.

On Saturday, December 3rd from 1:00 pm to 4: pm Amsterdam City Historian Rob von Hasseln will be conducting free tours of historic Amsterdam City Hall. This is a chance to learn more about the building and one of the most prominent families in Amsterdam history. Participants will be able to view the wreaths and place any silent bids on ones you’d like to see in your home.

The wreath display will continue through December 6th, and wreaths can be viewed and bid on during normal City Hall business hours. All wreaths will be available to be picked up on Saturday, December 10 at Amsterdam City Hall during a closing reception at 1:00 pm.

For additional information call 518-843-0300, or visit www.oldfortjohnon.org.

Photo courtesy Old Fort Johnson.

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Amsterdam, floods, Montgomery County, Old Fort Johnson

Old Fort Johnson and Irene: An Update

October 10, 2011 by Peter Feinman Leave a Comment

In response to my recent posts (Parts 1, and 2) on Irene and New York State History which included excerpts from an email from Old Fort Johnson asking for help, I received the following update from Museum Director Alessa Wylie: [Read more…] about Old Fort Johnson and Irene: An Update

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Mohawk River, Montgomery County, Old Fort Johnson, Peter Feinman, Public History

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