Events

New Local History Book – Fort Plain, Fork Plank, Fort Rensselaer: The Revolutionary War Forts of Canajohary

Posted on May 13, 2020

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.

Order Takeout! Win Prizes! From Now until May 31st!!

Posted on April 3, 2020

Order Takeout! Win Prizes!

Play Bingo with the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, and our restaurants that are open during this time. Visit any of our Fulton/Montgomery County restaurants, and when you get a BINGO, take a photo of your card and your receipts —and email it to tourism@fultonmontgomeryny.org, or Private Message our Facebook page.

At the end of this contest we will draw 5 winners, and if chosen, you will receive a $20 chamber check. If you send in a card with all the squares completed, then you are in a drawing for a $100.00 chamber check!

CLICK HERE for the BINGO card. Take a picture of the bingo card with your smartphone and send in your receipts. Use the edit photo feature in the camera app to “X” out a square. A single takeout can be used for multiple squares if applicable. Good luck and please email tourism@fultonmontgomeryny<wbr />.org with any questions!

Thank you for your continuous support of our businesses!

Fall Foliage Report: October 16-22

Posted on October 16, 2019

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: 75%

Brilliance: Average to bright

Predominating colors: Oranges and yellows are really showing off

Rating: Near peak to peak

As temperatures drop, more bright colors are emerging. The upper edges of the Mohawk Valley are nearer peak so a drive along the Mohawk River provides an explosion of fine fall foliage. Fingers crossed the rain doesn’t put a damper on the leaf peeping. Leaves that changed earlier in the season have already fallen with the help of wind and rain.

The Noses as seen traveling east on Route 5

This weekend is full with a variety of events including the annual Halloween Parade (opens in a new tab) in Amsterdam, a Taste of Chocolate & Basket Fundraiser (opens in a new tab) for the Frothingham Free Library, an Evening at Nellis Tavern (opens in a new tab) , Old Fort Johnson’s Harvest Festival (opens in a new tab) , a concert from the Mohawk Valley Chamber Ensemble (opens in a new tab) , and an Open House (opens in a new tab) at an alpaca farm.

This Friday and Saturday the Historic League of Amsterdam presents Ghosts of the Past: A Haunted History Tour of Green Hill Cemetery (opens in a new tab) . Meet past notable Amsterdam residents and learn their stories while experiencing beautiful and historic Green Hill Cemetery. All tours begin and end at Amsterdam City Hall. Free refreshments provided. Tour times for both Friday and Saturday nights are 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30pm. Tickets are available at the Book Hound and Damiano’s Flowers.

Saturday the VanAlstyne Homestead & Museum (opens in a new tab) is holding the 8^th Annual Soup Tasting & Craft Fair (opens in a new tab) . There will be delicious soups donated by local chefs, and eateries, fall seasoned crafts available by vendors from far and wide, and delicious harvest specialties grown by local producers. There will also be local and international artists on hand with their beautiful works on display. Live music will be performed in the century old ballroom, museum tours will be available, as well as a 50/50 raffle.

The Arkell Museum (opens in a new tab) presents Adirondack Lumber Camp Songs (opens in a new tab) on Sunday afternoon. Join in for an afternoon of rousing lumberjack songs. Enjoy the music and learn about this tough, rough, and crucial work. This program also includes informative narratives about Adirondack Mountain logging camps in the 1800s. This program runs about an hour and is most enjoyable for older children and adults. Admission is free. Donations are always welcome and help support future programs.

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

History of Beer in New York State

Posted on August 23, 2019

History of Beer in New York State

On August 27 at 6:30 pm Historian Craig Gravina will be speaking at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site about the history of beer brewing in New York State. The talk will take place in the Enders House adjacent to the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center at 129 Schoharie Street. The Friends of Schoharie Crossing will have a very brief meeting before the talk, and refreshments will be served following the presentation. All are welcome to attend.

As Craig Gravina says he is a ‘”world class beer drinker, so infatuated with the stuff that he took to researching and writing about over the last ten years”. He will talk about the history of the brewing industry in the Hudson Valley and include its close connection with the Mohawk Valley including the Erie Canal and grain production in the valley and as well as other interesting personalities and events. He will also be doing a book signing of his book Upper Hudson Valley Beer.

For more information about these events and more, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, email: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov, or visit our Facebook page Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual state parks, historic sites, golf courses, boat launches and recreational trails, which are visited by 71 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

Posted on July 1, 2019

Canal Day at Schoharie Crossing

The annual Canal Day event at Schoharie Crossing will be on Saturday, July 6 from 11:00am to 4:00pm. This year the festival is being held in conjunction with the Tri-County Old Power Associates Engine Show as well as the Metis Nation St. Kateri PowWow. All events are happening on the grounds of the historic site, 129 Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter. Parking is free.

The Metis Nation North America-Canadian Bands will open their PowWow on Friday, July 5 with Grand Entry at 12 noon. The event lasts three days ending on Sunday afternoon. The cost per day is $5 for Adults, $3 for age 65 and older, Children under 5, people with disabilities, and veterans receive free admission. There will be several dances, drumming circle, music, food, and crafts available throughout the event.

The Old Steam Power and Gas Engine Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm in the field adjacent to the Visitor Center. Come see these old ‘putt putt’ engines and old motors crank up and demonstrate the power of yesteryear.

The historic site will offer live music by Rusticator, food vendors, games, a bounce house, free wagon rides, a community tent, an equestrian show by JD Winslow, balloon art by Airigami, and more. An Aqueduct Alliance tent will be open so that people can find out more of the work being done to save the remains of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct. The Friends of Schoharie Crossing will also be in attendance.

Pathway to Empire, an exhibit on the Erie Canal will be open in the Visitor Center. There will be a photography gallery open in the Enders House next door. An opening reception for The Passage of Time exhibit will occur at 5pm on Saturday and is open to the artists and the public for live music, food, and beverages.

This year the event is sponsored in part by: Alpin Haus, NYS Canal Corporation, Price
Chopper Supermarkets, WEXT Radio, and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor!

For more information contact the site: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov or (518) 829-7516. Find and like Schoharie Crossing on Facebook.

Amsterdam’s Independence Day Fest Sponsored by The Leader-Herald

Posted on June 25, 2019

Amsterdam’s Independence Day Fest Sponsored by The Leader-Herald

The City of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Tourism, Marketing & Recreation Department presents Independence Day Fest Sponsored by The Leader-Herald on Saturday, July 6^th from 6PM-10PM at Riverlink Park and the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Bridge!

Come celebrate the 4th of July on the 6^th, along our beautiful waterfront, enjoy food and drink specials! Starting at 6PM- Scotty Nut Nut Entertainment will be on the MVGO Bridge, 6PM-8PM join the Patriotic Paddle with Down by the River Kayak Rentals, or walk over to Riverlink Park for Watercolor class for kids. Then, at 7PM the Amsterdam Waterfront Foundation and their sponsors present, Whiskey Highway, a high energy country band playing today’s new country along with some 90’s/00’s, at Riverlink Park. The night will end with fireworks at 9:30PM over the Historic Erie Canal Sponsored by Lanzi Family Restaurants!

5th Annual Putman Porch Music Series at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on May 21, 2019

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site has announced the return of the Putman Porch Music series for its fifth year starting on Thursday, June 6th at 6:00pm. This series invites local musicians to come spend an evening on the historic Putman Canal Store porch to jam and enliven the vibe of the former Erie Canal stop off. Putman’s store building is located at Yankee Hill Lock on the grounds of Schoharie Crossing, 553 Queen Anne Road.

Musicians with an interest in American roots, bluegrass and folk music are encouraged to spend some time on the porch and be a part of a great experience. Much like a group of canawlers that happen to be stuck waiting at the lock, a few instruments and strong voices is all that is needed to pass the time.

Putman Porch Music will occur every Thursday in June from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. These are free events open to the public.

The grounds for the site are open all year from dawn until dusk.

For information about this event or what is available at Schoharie Crossing, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516 or email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov. Find and like us on Facebook. For more information about New York State Parks, visit the website at www.nysparks.com.

American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference

Posted on May 1, 2019

(opens in a new tab)

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.

AMERICAN PICKERS to Film in New York!

Posted on March 12, 2019

AMERICAN PICKERS to Film in New York!
Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are excited to return to New York! They plan to film episodes of the hit
series AMERICAN PICKERS throughout the region in May 2019!
AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on History.
The hit show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s
most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting
stories behind them.
As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten
relics. Along the way, the Pickers want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. The pair
hopes to give historically significant objects a new lease on life, while learning a thing or two about America’s
past along the way.
Mike and Frank have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve
never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them. AMERICAN
PICKERS is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a
large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking
through, send us your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to:
americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST.
facebook: @GotAPick
AMERICAN PICKERS is produced by Cineflix Productions for History. New episodes air Mondays at 9pm EST on History.

Fall Foliage Report: October 17-23

Posted on October 18, 2018

I LOVE NY started the “New York Fall Foliage Report (opens in a new tab) ” on September 12 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.

Mohawk Valley Welcome Center at Lock E-13

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: 40%

Brilliance: Average

Predominating colors: Still green with mostly yellow with hints of orange and red

Rating: Nearing Peak

While there is still green in many places, the leaves are changing fast and the wind has blown several off the trees. This weekend and over the next would be ideal to still see some color.

This weekend is packed with more events!

Lock 13 10_17_18 — Mohawk Valley Welcome Center at Lock E-13

The Historic Amsterdam League (opens in a new tab) host the annual “Ghosts of the Past Tour”. Do you have the courage to walk the historic Green Hill Cemetery in the dark? There is only one way to find out!

The 1^st Annual Palatine Bridge 19^th C. Themed Old- Fashioned County Fair (opens in a new tab) is this weekend. The event boasts craft and food vendors, children’s activities including pony rides, music and more!

George Steele will be on hand at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and Landis Arboretum (opens in a new tab) for an “Owl Prowl” this weekend. During this hootin’ good family program listen for, look for, and should you be so lucky, see owls. Learn about the owls of the region and explore these nocturnal birds of prey.

The circa 1729 Van Alstyne Homestead & Museum (opens in a new tab) hosts their 7^th Annual Soup Tasting, Craft Fair, and Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday. There will be delicious soups donated by local chefs, and eateries, fall seasoned crafts available by vendors from far and wide, and delicious harvest specialties grown by local producers. As well as local and international artists on hand with their beautiful works on display and live music performed.