Sweet & Sar Presents: An Intimate Acoustic Night
Join us for Sweet & Sar’s very first live music event, featuring three incredible local bands! Our cozy Art and Yoga studio is curating an unforgettable evening with performances by Kate and Dad, The Big Bong Theory, and Home Visitor. Enjoy an eclectic mix of covers and originals that blend folk, anti-folk, punk, grunge, and country vibes. Help us make these talented artists feel right at home as they fill our studio with music and community spirit.
Tag: fort plain
Events
Christmas at the Fort
Join us for Christmas at the Fort – Saturday, December 7th – 11am to 5pm – Local Author Book Fair – Bookstore with Huge Sales – Museum Shop with a Selection of Handmade Colonial Toys – Period Holiday Music – Eisenadler German Beer (local Brewer) – Homemade Christmas Cookies, Refreshments and more!
Firework’s Displays in the County for the Holiday weekend and beyond!
Here is a line-up of Firework’s displays happening in the County over the Holiday Weekend and beyond.
For a full list of events happening in the county, please check our Event Calendar HERE.
Saturday, July 02, 2022
- Amsterdam Mohawks Game, Shuttleworth Park, Crescent Ave, Amsterdam
- After Game
Sunday, July 03, 2022
- Amsterdam’s Independence Day Fest, Riverlink Park
- 9:30 PM
- 4th on the Weekend, Wiles Park, Fort Plain
- Fireworks at dusk
- Firecracker 50, Fonda Speedway, Fonda
- After Race
Saturday, July 9, 2022
- Wishfest, Riverlink Park, Amsterdam
- At Dusk
- After the 4th Celebration, Village of Fonda Recreation Park, Park St, Fonda
- 9:00 PM
New Local History Book – Fort Plain, Fork Plank, Fort Rensselaer: The Revolutionary War Forts of Canajohary
The Fort Plain Museum recently published a new local history book, Fort Plain, Fork Plank, Fort Rensselaer: The Revolutionary War Forts of Canajohary by Wayne Lenig. Lenig is a Fellow of the New York State Archaeological Association, vice-president of the Van Epps-Hartley Chapter NYSAA, archaeological curator and vice-chairman of the Fort Plain Museum Board of Trustees, and Research Associate in Archaeology at the New York State Museum.
A great deal of confusion has developed regarding the historical identities of Fort Plain, Fort Plank and Fort Rensselaer. This book reviews and analyzes the published secondary sources in chronological order to gain an understanding of when and how misconceptions developed. Following that review are chapters on the archaeology and historical research from primary sources, placing the final four years of the Revolutionary War on the New York frontiers into the broad fabric of contemporary events. A fourth chapter reviews the evidence for an earlier Colonial Anglo-American fort on the site of Fort Plain. This is the most comprehensive study of the most important American outpost during the final four years of the War for Independence.
The book is 8.5 by 11 with over 260 glossy pages with color images and maps. To order the book, please visit the museum’s online book store at https://fortplainmuseum.square.site/ or email info@fortplainmuseum.org. 100% of the book proceeds go to the museum for exhibits and education programming.
Book Talk – The Property of the Nation: George Washington’s Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the Memory of the First President
Book Talk – The Property of the Nation: George Washington’s Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the Memory of the First President
The Fort Plain Museum welcomes Matthew R. Costello, the Acting Director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History and the Senior Historian White House Historical Association as he presents his new book, “The Property of the Nation: George Washington’s Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the Memory of the First President”
This Book Talk is on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 6:30 PM at The Fulton-Montgomery Community College’s Allen House located at 2805 NY-67, Johnstown, NY 12095. There is a $10 Admission Fee and the speaker’s book will be available for sale ($5 off with paid admission).
Please visit the Museum’s website, http://www.fortplainmuseum.com for more information and how to register.
Washington’s resting place at his beloved Mount Vernon estate was at times as contested and in Costello’s telling, the many attempts to move the first president’s bodily remains offer greater insight to the issue of memory and hero worship in early America. While describing the efforts of politicians, business owners, artists, and storytellers to define, influence, and profit from the memory of Washington at Mount Vernon, this book’s main focus is the memory-making process that took place among American citizens. As public access to the tomb increased over time, more and more ordinary Americans were drawn to Mount Vernon, and their participation in this nationalistic ritual helped further democratize Washington in the popular imagination. Shifting our attention from official days of commemoration and publicly orchestrated events to spontaneous visits by citizens, Costello’s book clearly demonstrates in compelling detail how the memory of George Washington slowly but surely became The Property of the Nation.
Fall Foliage Report: September 25-October 1
I LOVE NY started the “New York Fall Foliage Report (opens in a new tab) ” on September 11 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Montgomery County has started its own annual report this year as well.
Reporting station: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) , Fort Hunter
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 20%
Brilliance: Dull to average as more color emerges
Predominating colors: Greens with pops of orange and reds developing
Rating: Beginning with a lot more brilliant and beautiful colors to come
Green is still predominant with more orange and yellow showing through.
Enjoy a night of music and dancing! Friday night at the Elk’s Lodge in Amsterdam, Grand Central Station (opens in a new tab) will perform; wings and craft brews will be available to purchase.
Saturday features A Taste of History, the Garden Bug Fall Festival, Family Fun Day, the Friends of Sanford Stud Farm Open House and so much more (opens in a new tab) . 
The Friends of Sanford Stud Farm Open House (opens in a new tab) will feature food trucks, vendors, and crafters. Tour the historical Hurricana Barn and enjoy a variety of local vendors.
Mohawk Valley Collective (opens in a new tab) in collaboration with the Fort Plain Free Library (opens in a new tab) host “Family Fun Day (opens in a new tab) ” in Haslett Park, Fort Plain. Including the popular Chalk-on-the-Walk where art is drawn on the sidewalk around the park, a bounce house, and many other family friendly events. Food and ice cream will also be available.
The Montgomery County Historical Society’s annual fall fundraiser, A Taste of History (opens in a new tab) , features over a dozen soups, along with freshly baked breads and homemade pies. Benefiting the preservation of Old Fort Johnson (opens in a new tab) , this year’s event will be held at the Century Club (opens in a new tab) in Amsterdam. Seating is limited seating and advance tickets are recommended. Admission includes unlimited soup samples, bread, pie, beverage and a special souvenir mug. Tickets can be purchased online (opens in a new tab) .
The annual Garden Bug Fall Festival (opens in a new tab) will have a variety of agricultural products and fall decor available for purchase: mums, pumpkins, indian corn, bows, hay bales, corn stalks, and more. Vendors and crafters will be on hand both Saturday and Sunday. Music, bounce house, cider donuts, wagon rides, car cruise-in (Saturday only beginning at noon), food and gifts are all available.
Explore our countryside, enjoy our events (opens in a new tab) , and take in the autumn season!
Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!
1.800.743.7337
Fall Foliage Report: September 18-24
I LOVE NY starts the “New York Fall Foliage Report (opens in a new tab) ” on September 11 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Montgomery County has started its own annual report this year as well.
Reporting station: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) , Fort Hunter
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 10%
Brilliance: Dull
Predominating colors: Mostly green with small hints of yellow and reds (sumac)
Rating: Just beginning
The leaves are still mostly green but more color is starting to show through – hints of yellow and red are currently the main colors.
This Saturday, September 21, the Town of Minden will hold its 5th annual History Fair (opens in a new tab) in Haslett Park, downtown Fort Plain. There will be historical displays, demonstrations and exhibits by local residents, historians, and collectors. Amongst the fun are an Old Tyme Movie Theatre, Old Farmer’s Market, scavenger hunt, and new this year will be the Chocolate Jumbles Baking Contest. A historical walking tour of the village will take place at 1pm. Admission is free.
The Ames Museum (opens in a new tab) is also hosting their End of Summer Festival on Saturday. Enjoy the fall colors, tour the museum, talk with and shop through the assorted vendors, 5K run/walk beginning at 9am.
Explore our countryside, enjoy our events (opens in a new tab) , and take in the autumn season!
Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!
1.800.743.7337
American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference
The Fort Plain Museum’s
5th Annual American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference
June 6-9, 2019
The American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference celebrates its 5th year with more speakers and an early sign-up special. Pre-registration is required. The early sign-up special is $10 off if you sign-up by May 7, 2019. Please Click Here for Conference Registration/Information (opens in a new tab) .
There is a great line-up of 12 notable historian/authors presenting on a wide variety of topics related to the American Revolution.
Presenting this year:
David L. Preston – First in Peace: The Delaware Indian Nation and its 1778 Treaty with the United States
Eric H. Schnitzer – Benedict Arnold at Saratoga: How a Newly Discovered Letter Changed History
Mark Edward Lender – The Plot against General Washington: The Conway Cabal Reconsidered
James Kirby Martin – The Man Who Wouldn’t Be King: George Washington, an Exceptional Revolutionary Leader
Holly A. Mayer – Women at War: Continental Army Followers
John Buchanan – The Road to Charleston: How Major General Nathanael Greene Dealt with Logistics, Savage Civil War, and Politics in the Carolina’s and Georgia
Bruce M. Venter – Defending the Mohawk Valley: Forts and Homes Illustrated by Rufus Grider’s Art Work
Glenn F. Williams – Beyond the Mohawk: the Battles of Newtown and Groveland (240th Anniversary)
Albert Louis Zambone – The Rewards of Persistence: Daniel Morgan in the Saratoga Campaign
Tony Williams – George Washington & Alexander Hamilton: A Revolutionary Relationship
Christian Di Spigna – Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolution’s Lost Hero
Douglas J. Pippin – The American Revolution in the St. Lawrence Valley
Also welcoming back the voice of the Mohawk Valley, Bob Cudmore, who will serve as Master of Ceremony.
Genealogy Day – Friday, June 7
Visit Mohawk Country historic sites (sites, schedules and admission fees will be posted separately). Sites will have presentations or historians on hand to discuss the families that fought on both sides during the American Revolution.
An Incident at Caughnawaga – Fundraising Dinner – Saturday, June 8
Join Mohawk Valley Historian, Norm Bollen as he describes the “Incident at Caughnawga” that ignited the Revolution in the Mohawk Valley in 1775. This incident includes neighbor against neighbor, an angry mob and a loyalist sheriff shooting at the rebels. The dinner includes a choice of one of three entrees with sides, salad and dessert. There will also be a Cocktail Hour with cash bar.
A few seats are open for each of the bus tours, call 518-774-5669 for details.
The Fort Plain Museum’s American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference
The Fort Plain Museum’s American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference (opens in a new tab) is back for 2018 and registrations are now being accepted. Pre-registration is required and please sign-up immediately, last year was a near sell-out. The Conference is held on June 7-10, 2018. Most of the conference will be held at the Fulton-Montgomery Community College (opens in a new tab) .
This year there are 11 Author/Historian Presentation and Panel Discussion. Starting on Thursday, June 7th, Michael E. Newton will present “Alexander Hamilton’s Revolutionary War Service”. On Friday, June 8th, Russell Shorto will present “Revolution Song: America’s Founding Era in Six Remarkable Lives”.
On Saturday/Sunday, June 9th and 10th, there are the following presentations:
- Edward G. Lengel – George Washington and the Burning of New York City, 1776
- Eric H. Schnitzer – “Hessians” at the Battle of Bennington, 1777
- James L. Nelson – Benedict Arnold’s Navy: The Story of the Rag Tag Fleet that Lost the Battle of Valcour Island and Won the American Revolution
- Don N. Hagist – Redcoats Along the Mohawk: British Soldiers in Western New York, 1777-1783
- Bruce M. Venter – Benedict Arnold’s Nemesis: Colonel John Brown’s Fateful Journey to the Mohawk Valley
- Jennifer DeBruin – Traitors, Spies & Heroes: Loyalist Espionage in the American Revolution
- Glenn F. Williams – Sir William Johnson, the Iroquois Confederacy and Lord Dunmore’s War
- John Buchanan – Two Warriors: George Washington and Sir William Howe
- Wayne Lenig – The Tryon County Committee of Safety
- New this year, a Panel Discussion where presenters and the audience will discuss which side they would choose, Patriot or Loyalist?
On Thursday, June 7th, there is a Bus Tour of the 1778 Battle & Raid Sites. The bus tour will feature the events of 1778; the Battle of Cobleskill, the Cherry Valley Massacre, Springfield, Andrustown, Adam Helmer’s Run, Fort Herkimer and Fort Plain/Rensselaer (opens in a new tab) . There is a lunch stop in Cooperstown.
New this year, is a Genealogy Day, this is held on Friday, June 8th. Guests can visit the Mohawk Country (opens in a new tab) historic sites located throughout Montgomery County. Sites will have presentations and/or historians on hand to discuss the families that fought on both sides during the American Revolution.
On the evening of Saturday, June 9th, “An Evening with Washington and Madison” including an all new Fundraiser Dinner held at the Bridge Walk at the Perthshire (opens in a new tab) . Join George Washington and James Madison, portrayed by Brian Hilton and Kyle Jenks, as they discuss their journeys to upstate New York and other founding moments.
To register or for further information such as pricing, locations and more details, please visit http://www.fortplainmuseum.com/conference (opens in a new tab) or email info@fortplainmuseum.org (opens in a new tab) or call 518-774-5669. This is the museum’s yearly fundraiser with 100% going back into museum exhibits and upkeep, your support is greatly appreciated.
2016 Fall Lecture Series Fort Plain Museum
Fort Plain Museum (opens in a new tab)
389 Canal Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339
fortplainmuseum@yahoo.com (opens in a new tab)
518-774-5669
Lectures start at 7:00pm
Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Thursday, October 13
“War on the Middleline – The Founding of a Community in the Kayaderosseras Patent in the Midst of the American Revolution” by James E. Richmond
Thursday, October 20
“Sir William Johnson and the Evolution of the Mohawk Valley Fur Trade” by Michael Perazzini 
Thursday, October 27
“350 Years of Firearms” including the Hamilton/Burr Dueling Pistols by John Phillips (Phillips will discuss and showcase replica Hamilton/Burr Dueling Pistols made before the American Revolution Bicentennial)
Thursday, November 3
“Forgotten Pioneers: African Americans in the Mohawk Valley” by Wayne Lenig and “West African Drumming in Colonial America” (drumming demonstrations included) by Charles Lenig