FORT STANWIX National Monument A Master Plan Contents Introduction 1 Purpose 5 Objectives 5 Summary 5 Regional Characteristics and Analysis Access and Circulation 6 Population Data 6 Park and Recreation Facilities 6 Surroundings and Existing Use 7 Resource Evaluation 8 Resource Description History 8 Later History of the Region 10 Factors Affecting Resources and Use Legal Factors 12 Climate 12 Resource Use Existing Land Use 12 Visitor Use of Resources 12 The Plan Site Development 18 Site Limitations 20 Interpretation 20 Fort Stanwix Museum Location 21 Priority of Needs 21

Maps Regional Map—MP FOST-1 2 City of Rome—MP FOST-2 3 Vicinity Map—MP FOST-3 4 Regional Development Map—MP FOST-4 7 Historic Base Map—MP FOST-5 9 Archeological Base Map—MP FOST-6 10 Troop Movement Map—MP FOST-7 11 Existing Use Map—MP FOST-8 13 Urban Renewal Area Plan—MP FOST-9 16 & 17 General Development Plan—MP FOST-10 19

Illustrations Artist's Conception of Fort Stanwix Frontispiece Small Scale Aerial Photograph 14 Large Scale Aerial Photograph 15 Site Limitations 20

A Master Plan for FORT STANWIX National Monument

INTRODUCTION

Fort Stanwix National Monument Secretary of the Interior may designate as during the depression. Gradually, interest 1 was authorized by an Act of Congress ap­ necessary, has been vested in the United in the project died. proved August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 665). States, the site shall be designated a na­ Then in 1963, the site of Fort Stanwix Legislation was introduced at the request tional monument by Presidential Proclama­ was designated a registered national .land­ of the Rome Chamber of Commerce and tion. The Secretary may acquire the site by mark. In 1964, at the request of the City of patriotic societies, who felt that a national donation or purchase with donated funds. Rome, the National Park Service agreed to monument would tie into and give more When established, the national monument advise on working the fort site into a pro­ meaning to a series of patriotic celebrations shall be administered, protected, and devel­ posed urban renewal project. then being planned, and that the site was oped by the National Park Service, subject important enough to deserve national mon­ to the Act of August 25, 1916, establishing Local public interest in developing the ument status. The Chamber of Commerce that Bureau. site took strong root among community or­ also felt that development of Fort Stanwix ganizations. By 1965, Rome's planning for would make an excellent emergency public This Act was not put into effect. The development of its historical resources had works project. Former Secretary of the In­ reasons for this are not clear. Probably the broadened to include many sites and struc­ terior Ickes recommended that the bill be additional responsibilities given to the Park tures besides Fort Stanwix, and interest in passed, noting that the area "is the site of Service by the Historic Sites Act of 1935 implementing the Fort Stanwix National a battle of great importance in American and the limited amount of money available Monument Act had revived. Urban Renew­ History and is worthy of Federal protec­ with which to develop the national monu­ al funds were available to acquire and clear tion . . ." ment combined to prevent its establish­ the site. At the request of city officials, the The Act provides that when title to the ment. Further, the cost of acquiring the site National Park Service prepared this Master site of Fort Stanwix, or a part of it, to­ for donation was estimated at $300,000 or Plan for administering, protecting and de­ gether with any buildings thereon that the more, a sum which would be hard to raise veloping Fort Stanwix National Monument. 2

• ••REGIONAL MAP 3 1. PROVISION OF FACILITIES Those facilities needed to tell the story of Fort Stanwix and to direct visitors to other places of interest in Rome will be provided.

2. VISITOR USE Visitors will be encouraged to use the interpretive facilities of the na­ tional monument and to visit the other historical and cultural attractions in Rome and its vicinity. 4 3. COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING Fort Stanwix National Monument is only one part of a comprehensive plan to develop Rome's her­ itage, and the National Park Service will work closely with civic and preservation

This plan recommends a boundary for the monument encompassing 18 acres. It provides for reconstruction of the fort and for the administrative and visitor facilities needed to present the fort story effectively. It provides guidelines for de­ veloping an interpretive program. It em­ phasizes that the proposed national monu­ ment is part of a broad program for devel­ oping Rome's historical features, and that close and harmonious cooperation among the National Park Service and other groups participating in the broader program is VICINITY MAP essential. PURPOSE The purpose of Fort Stanwix Na­ Treaty of Fort Stanwix negotiated and tional Monument is to preserve the site of signed here in 1768; and the decisive role the fort and interpret the events which took place there: The strategic importance of played by the fort in repulsing St. Leger's the site in controlling the Mohawk River— attack in 1777, a repulse which contributed Wood Creek Portage; the significance of the to the capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga. OBJECTIVES groups to fit monument planning and oper­ City of Rome may make to protect and importance of the fort site, the role of the ation into the overall plan. improve the setting around the monument fort in St. Leger's repulse, and the effect of through zoning, urban renewal, stream val­ this repulse on Burgoyne's campaign. The 4. CONSERVATION THROUGH KNOWLEDGE De­ ley park development or other methods. Treaty of Fort Stanwix will be treated as a velopment and management of the monu­ subtheme, as will the structural history of ment will be based on knowledge gained 7. MUSEUM COLLECTIONS Museum collec­ the fort. from comprehensive historical and archeo- tions will be limited to artifacts recovered logical research. This research will build from Park Service excavation at the site and 9. INTERPRETIVE METHOD Interpretation will upon the work already done. such other objects related to the fort as may center upon the restored fort, supplement­ be needed for the interpretive program. ed by exhibits and other devices as neces­ 5. ARCHITECTURAL THEME Developments Conflicts with and duplication of the col­ sary. The National Park Service will work will be designed to be in harmony with the lections of the Rome Historical Society will closely with the Historic Rome Develop­ 5 reconstructed fort and its historical setting. be avoided. ment Authority, the Rome Historical So­ ciety and other groups to mesh monument 6. PROTECTION OF THE SETTING The Nation­ 8. INTERPRETIVE THEME The story to be interpretation with the overall presentation al Park Service will encourage any effort the told at Fort Stanwix is that of the strategic of Rome's history. SUMMARY The Master Plan is contingent upon with preserving "colonial" houses, forts, three 19th century structures included in three things. First, a cleared site must be and battlefields, have broadened to include the Historic American Buildings Survey, donated to the Federal Government. Sec­ preservation of 19th and even 20th century another structure reputed to be the oldest ond, no development can take place until houses, and of sites and structures impor­ house in Rome, and a number of commer­ money for that development is appropri­ tant in the development of industry, com­ cial and institutional structures, all of ated by the Congress. Third, a decision merce, transportation, the arts, and indeed, which must be moved or demolished if the must be made that development of Fort every facet of our society. Stanwix should take precedence over preser­ national monument is to be created. The vation of the several buildings now stand­ This plan, in a sense, does not reflect people of Rome, acting through their city ing on the site, at least in their present the new and broader concept of preserva­ government, will decide whether the na­ location. tion. It provides for the creation of Fort tional monument is worth this price when The historic preservation movement Stanwix National Monument and for the they decide whether or not to donate the has matured in the years since 1935. Its in­ development required to make that monu­ Fort Stanwix site to the Federal Govern­ terests, once concerned almost exclusively ment effective. It does so at the expense of ment. REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS The Fort Stanwix site is located in is using this heritage to expand the eco­ the center of Rome, New York, overlooking Park and Recreation nomic base of the community. The pros­ the Mohawk River. The effective region is Facilities pects of phasing out Griffiss Air Force Base the City of Rome, covering 77 square miles has haunted business leaders and added in area, and its immediate vicinity. Existing: impetus for finding new business activity 1. FORT STANWIX MUSEUM History of Mo­ should the Air Base be actually closed. hawk Valley: Ice Age—1860. There is also evidence of a cultural explo­ 2. ORISKANY MONUMENT Site of Battle of sion in the community sustained by intel­ Oriskany. lectual forces as well as business enterprises. Access and 3. GRAVE OF FRANCIS BELLAMY Author of In February 1966, an economic feasibil­ Pledge of Allegiance. ity report, prepared by Economic Research Circulation 4. STATE FISH HATCHERY Supporting fish­ Associates of Los Angeles, California, was submitted to the City of Rome and the Rome is within 8 miles of Interstate ery research laboratories. Rome Urban Renewal Agency. This report Route 90, the New York State Thruway, 5. MEMORIAL TO BARON VON STEUBEN Drill- suggested procedures for developing the his­ and is accessible from it by New York master of Revolution. torical potential of the area and preserving Routes 69, 46, 26 and 33 which connects to 6. LAKE DELTA STATE PARK Approximately its cultural heritage—something that would 365. Rome and nearby Utica are served by 2 miles north (swimming, camping, boat­ result in a flourishing tourist industry for Mohawk Airlines, with limousine service to ing—being developed). the area. The Economic Research Asso­ Rome—a distance of some 7 miles. Rome is 7. VERONA DELTA STATE PARK Approxi­ ciates' report develops fully the feasibility also served by the New York. Central Rail­ mately 2 miles north (swimming, boating). of an extensive historic development in the 6 road and by transcontinental Bus Lines. 8. PIXLEY FALLS STATE PARK Approximate­ ly 10 miles north (camping). Rome area. Circulation within the city is by city The City Planning Associates-East, of streets. The city is operating a mini-bus 9. ADIRONDACKS STATE PARK Approximately 35 miles north. Buffalo, New York, prepared in June 1966, service between center city and the out­ for the City of Rome its final project report skirts. Circulation within the park will be 10. WOODS VALLEY SKI AREA Approximate­ ly 3 miles north. for the Fort Stanwix-Central Business Dis­ by foot. trict Urban Renewal Project. Last August 11. SNOW RIDCE SKI AREA Approximately 35 miles north. this report, accompanied by loan applica­ tion, was submitted by the city to the De­ 12. STRUCTURES OF HISTORICAL AND ARCHI­ TECTURAL INTEREST Some 24 such structures partment of Housing and Urban Develop­ and sites have been identified (see Region­ ment. Population Data al Development Plan) and are presented The city is implementing these recom­ mendations. The architect-engineering firm Rome had a population of 56,646 in through a walking tour of the downtown of Frank and Stein Associates has prepared 1960, an increase of 24 percent over the area and an auto tour. The Rome Histori­ plans for the extensive developed areas 1950 figure of 41,682. Oneida County, 1960 cal Society sponsors a bus tour for groups proposed. To give the project a practical population of 264,401, had an increase of on occasion, but not yet on a regular basis. start and spark, those sections which are 19 percent over the 1950 figure of 222,855. This tour takes about two to two and one- expected to yield immediate revenues will This increase has had no appreciable effect half hours and covers points along the be first developed. on the monument. Great Garrying Place and Oriskany Battle­ field sites. The total extensive programs envisage About one-fourth of the country's pop­ eight developments recommended by Frank ulation resides within five hours' driving The City of Rome has evaluated its and Stein for the early years of develop­ time of Rome. historical resources and their potential, and ment: AND ANALYSIS a. Canal Village Area cluded in this report, and on the Existing b. The Canal Boat Ride Surroundings and Use Map. c. Fort Bull Area Existing Use All of the national monument project d. Railroad Area is within the area designated for urban e. Brodock Corners Area There is no major difference in ter­ renewal. Within the urban renewal portion f. Arsenal Park Area rain, climate, vegetation or land use be­ of the site, over 90 percent of the structures g. Fort Stanwix Area tween the monument site and its surround­ have been declared as having minor to h. Oriskany Battlefield Area ings. major deficiencies. Out of a total of 69 i. Black River Canal Area The general appearance of the area structures, 19 are deficient warranting and the location of Fort Stanwix in relation clearance and 21 have blighted conditions. Proposed facilities are shown on the to existing buildings and streets can read­ Only 6 buildings out of 69 were listed as Regional Development Plan. ily be seen on the aerial photographs in­ being structurally sound. Most of the buildings contain commer­ important element of the downtown Rome cial establishments, but some are used for Urban Renewal area. Utilities private clubs, organizations, a museum, and The planning reports cited herein rec­ Municipal water and sewerage systems other purposes. In the northeast corner of ognize this significance and set aside an are available and future developments can the proposed monument area, there are a area for this purpose. The perimeter of the be connected to them. Likewise, power and few dwellings. fort itself, as identified in the archeological telephone lines exist in the vicinity with no Fort Stanwix National Monument is explorations, is to remain free from any problems of connections expected. an integral part of regional plans for devel­ construction other than that connected with oping historical resources, as well as an the restoration of the structure. RESOURCE EVALUATION From 1758 to the end of the Revo­ tion at Albany, contributing thereby to the Fort Stanwix National Monument will lution, Fort Stanwix controlled one of the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga on Oc­ be one of ten areas administered by the two water routes from Canada to New York tober 17. In addition to its role in the National Park Service which commemorate City. The stand by an American garrison at Revolution, Fort Stanwix was the scene of the military phase of the American Revolu­ Fort Stanwix during August 1777 was re­ a significant treaty of that name, signed on tion. It is closely related in theme to Sara­ sponsible for the repulse of the western November 5, 1768. By the Treaty of Fort toga National Historical Park. It represents prong of the British invasion of the north­ Stanwix the Iroquis ceded a vast territory one of the very few successful defenses of a ern American colonies, and checked the east of the Ohio River, as far west as the possibility of a Loyalist uprising in the fortification against a prolonged siege by Mohawk Valley. The retreat to Canada of mouth of the Tennessee. The Treaty thus either side during the war. A celebration of the western column under Barry St. Leger, cleared the way for a new and significant the successful defense of the fort may well after its failure to take Fort Stanwix, was a surge of westward settlement in the decades be included as part of the bicentennial ob­ 8 blow to the British strategy of concentra­ that followed. servance of the Revolution. RESOURCE DESCRIPTION Craven at the upper landing of the Mo­ as a military post, but remained an Indian History hawk and Fort Williams above, on the center for some ten years. The site of Fort Stanwix is a Regis­ same river. In 1756, the French attacked, In 1768 the fort became the scene of an tered Historic Landmark under the Theme, captured and burned Fort Bull. The Brit­ important treaty called the Property Line "The War of Independence." ish immediately began rebuilding the fort, or Boundary Line Treaty, also known as but in August 1756 the French captured the Treaty of Fort Stanwix of 1768, under Rome stands on the site of the port­ Fort Oswego. The British then destroyed which the Iroquois ceded a vast territory age between the Mohawk River and Wood Fort Btdl and its three sister forts and with­ east of the Ohio River, and thereby cleared Creek; the only portage on the water route drew from the area. the way for a new and significant surge of from Albany up the Mohawk, across to During the late summer and early fall westward settlement. Wood Creek and on to Oswego on Lake of 1758, Fort Stanwix was built on high With the coming of the Revolution, Ontario. Just before, or in the early stages ground overlooking the Mohawk portage American leaders were quick to recognize of the French and Indian War, the British landing, a short distance north of the site the strategic importance of the Lake Cham- built four small forts to protect this vital of Fort Williams on the Old Carrying plain-Hudson Route and Wood Creek-Mo­ portage; Fort Bull at the lower (low water) Road, to secure the portage route. After hawk-Hudson Route between Canada and landing and Fort Newport near the upper 1760, following the British conquest of New York City. In June 1776, General (high water) landing of Wood Creek; Fort Canada, this fort was gradually abandoned Philip Schuyler urged the rebuilding of Fort Stanwix. After nearly a year of inter­ that the fort was too strong to assault. St. from Fort Dayton. St. Leger's Indian allies, mittent and generally ineffective effort, Leger besieged it. The fort and its 750-man impatient with siege tactics and badly work began in earnest, and by August 1, garrison stood firm. On August 3, 1777, the mauled in the fight at Oriskany, were dis­ 1777, the fort was again in a defensible con­ first day of the siege, local tradition holds contented. During the battle at Oriskany, a dition. that the stars and stripes were raised above party of Americans had sallied from Fort In the fall of 1776, the British had the fort—the first appearance of the new Stanwix and looted and destroyed the launched an offensive southward up Lake flag in battle. camps of the Tories and Indians, adding to Champlain which was foiled by the naval Meanwhile, news of St. Leger's advance the disgust of the latter. Rumors of Ar­ battle of Valcour Bay and the advent of had spread, and a relief force of 800 militia nold's approach, artfully planted by the winter. A new campaign was then organ­ men gathered. On August 4, led by General General himself, alarmed St. Leger's In­ ized for the summer of 1777, to consist of a Nicholas Herkimer, it marched. On the dians and they urged retreat. The siege was thrust down the Champlain Route to Al­ 6th, this force was ambushed by St. Leger abandoned. The British thrust down the bany by an army under Burgoyne, and at Oriskany, six miles southeast of Fort Mohawk had failed. another thrust down the Mohawk Route by Stanwix. The Americans, after a savage bat­ Of the four French and Indian War a force under Colonel Barry St. Leger. tle, were left in possession of the field, but forts, only the earthworks of Fort Bull sur­ The Mohawk Expedition, composed of were too badly battered to continue on to vive. Fort Stanwix was abandoned in 1781, about 800 British, German, Tory and Fort Stanwix. and its above-ground remains cleared away Canadian troops and between 600 and Another American relief expedition before 1850. Preliminary archeology has un­ 1,000 Indians moved up Wood Creek, and was organized under the command of Bene­ covered significant remains below present on August 2 reached Fort Stanwix. Seeing dict Arnold, and on August 22 moved out ground level.

9 Later History of the Region The water route which Fort Stanwix had controlled became an increasingly im­ portant transportation route as the frontier moved west after the Revolution. In 1796, the Western Inland Lock and Navigation Company opened a two-mile long ditch, navigable by bateaux, connecting the Mo­ hawk with Wood Creek. In July 1817, work began on "Clinton's Ditch," a canal rough­ ly paralleling the Mohawk-Wood Creek route past Rome to a terminus at Buffalo. In 1844, Clinton's Ditch was improved, en­ larged and in part rerouted, and became the Erie Canal. Finally, in the early 20th century, the Erie was replaced by the New York State Barge Canal. The Mohawk Valley also became a route for other forms of transportation. In 1839, the Syracuse and Utica Railroad be­ 10 gan operations along a route paralleling Clinton's Ditch through Rome. Its original Rome station still stands. Even the New York Thruway of the 1950's passes within a few miles of the old portage route.

ARCHEOLOGICAL BASE MAP MP- FOST-6 11

TROOP MOVEMENT MAP

MP-FOST-7 FACTORS AFFECTING RESOURCES AND THEIR USE Average wind velocity is 9.9 miles per hour, Legal Factors Climate maximum recorded velocity is 69 miles per The climate of Rome is typical of cen­ hour recorded in December 1921. There is no legislative ceiling on de­ tral New York State. Summers are warm; Climate will have little elfect on area velopment costs or acreage, and no com­ average daily high temperature for July is development or operations. The relatively mitments have been made. Jurisdiction will 82°. Winters are cold; average daily low for severe winter weather will limit winter use. January is 17°. Record high is 102°; record However, since this is an urban area, use be proprietory. low, —26°. Precipitation is fairly evenly will be affected more by the general decline distributed throughout the year, and totals in tourist travel within the region brought All land required for the monument 36 inches. Snowfall averages 83 inches a about by winter weather, and less by the site will be donated to the United States by year. Maximum 24-hour rain and snowfall direct effect of cold and snow within the the City of Rome. are 4.79 inches and 27.2 inches respectively. site.

12 RESOURCE USE buildings, or parking lots. The remainder Existing land use within the monu­ Exti sting is in residential (.12 acres), commercial ment is incompatible; all lands within the (1.4 acres), public and semipublic (.66 boundary are required to effect restoration Land Use acres), mixed residential-commercial (.59 of Fort Stanwix in an effective setting and acres ) or residential-public (.07 acres ) use. to provide space for essential administrative The area proposed for inclusion in the Land uses around the study area are and visitor facilities. monument is bordered by James Street, generally similar to those within it, though East Park Street, and Black River and Erie there is less public and semipublic use of Visitor Use of Boulevards (see General Development adjoining lands, and some industrial use of Plan) and totals 18 acres. Existing land lands to the south. Resource use both within and adjacent to the monu­ This land use pattern has been rela­ The Fort Stanwix Museum had 9,250 ment is shown on the Existing Use Map. tively stable, but will be changed both as to visitors in 1964; 15,300 in 1965 and 22,300 Since the parcels within monument boun­ type and quality by urban renewal. through November 1 of 1966. daries will be purchased by the City of Several buildings encroach on the Fort Frank and Stein, planning and devel­ Rome through urban renewal procedures Stanwix site. Three, the Rome Club, the opment consultants to the Historic Rome and donated to the National Park Service Stryker House and the Women's Club or Development Authority, estimate visitor use by the city, property owners are not listed. Community Center are of sufficient archi­ of all proposed historical developments in tectural interest to have been recorded for Rome will rise from 100,000 in 1967 to More than half of the land within the the Historic American Buildings Survey. 400,000 in 1971, 700,000 in 1976, and 800,- monument is composed of city streets, yards The Fort Stanwix Museum houses excep­ 000 in 1980. Seventy percent of these visi­ which provide a setting for the various tionally good local history exhibits. tors will visit the national monument. 13

URBAN RENEWAL BOUNDARY BUILDING WITH NO DEFICIENCIES SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITH MINOR DEFICIENCIES TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITH MAJOR DEFICIENCIES MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING SUBSTANDARD TO A DEGREE REQUIRING CLEARANCE COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL PUBLIC & SEMI-PUBLIC SPLIT USE

EXISTING USE MAP CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT MP-FOST- 8 14

Small Scale Aerial Photograph 15

Large Scale Aerial Photograph 16 17

URBAN RENEWAL AREA CONCEPT OF PROPOSED FORT STANWIX CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

PREPARED BY CITY PLANNING ASSOC IATES - EAST, INC. BU FFALO , NEW YORK MP- FOST-9 The Plan

the relationship can be presented effectively to assure visitor understanding and enjoy­ 18 Site Development through other means. ment. The reconstructed fort will serve as a Several plans of the 1758 fort survive, focus and reference point for telling the The City of Rome now covers the and preliminary archeology indicates that story of Fort Stanwix. site of Fort Stanwix and its surroundings. some 70 percent of the sub-surface remains Only the faint trace of a portion of the of the fort remain and can be uncovered. Reconstruction of the fort will require: Fort's wall is visible, and the adjoining city While the fort as rebuilt in 1777 is not well 1. Donation of the site, cleared of all obscures its strategic location in relation to documented, further historical and archeo­ existing structures. the Mohawk and the Mohawk-Wood Creek logical research should establish the points 2. Completion of archeological excava­ portage. in which it differed from the 1758 fort. tions. While substantial archeological evi­ Available evidence indicates that major dif­ 3. A concentrated program of histori­ dence remains below the ground, there are ferences were limited to the number and cal research, building upon the work not sufficient remains of the fort to enable arrangement of structures within the walls, already done, to collect all surviving the visitor to visualize its appearance nor and did not affect the walls or the outer documentary evidence. quickly grasp its strategic location. ditch to any appreciable extent. 4. Possible use of more lasting con­ The General Development Plan shows struction materials than the original, The opportunity exists to obtain the how this opportunity will be handled. This to reduce maintenance costs. Such ma­ site of Fort Stanwix and enough additional plan proposes to reconstruct the major fea­ terials would simulate the color and land to provide a reasonably effective set­ tures of Fort Stanwix as it was in 1777. The texture of the originals. ting and space for necessary supporting reconstruction will include, subject to the 5. Preparation of reconstruction plans facilities. While the broader setting of the availability of appropriated funds for this based on the restdts of the above re­ fort in relationship to the Mohawk and the purpose, the outer palisaded ditch, the ram­ search. portage road cannot be recreated physically, parts, and those interior structures needed 6. Funding and execution of the work. 19

FORT STANWIX NATIONAL MONUMENT

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN •••

MP- FOST-IO Yet, to be effective in attracting visitors and in interpreting to them the story of Interpretation Fort Stanwix, any development of the site must provide space for the restored fort Fort Stanwix National Monument including its outer ditch, and a minimum presents an unusual opportunity for a crea­ open area to serve as a setting and physical­ tive interpretive program worked out in ly and psychologically separate the fort cooperation with the community. from the modern city around it. In addi­ Rome is very interested in developing tion, space for visitor parking, walks, ad­ its historical resources and presenting them ministrative offices, contact station, and to visitors. The Fort Stanwix Museum pre­ maintenance is required. sents an over-view of Rome's history from the sculpturing of its land forms by geo­ The recommended solution is shown logical forces through to 1860, and plans to on the General Development Plan. This expand on its presentation of 19th and solution provides space for the reconstruc­ 20th century developments. The Historic tion and a minimum setting for it, for lim­ Rome Development Authority has begun ited visitor parking, and for office, contact an ambitious and exciting program to de­ station, and maintenance space. velop and present several aspects of region­ This solution will require a larger area al history; notably Fort Bull, Clinton's than that assigned by the Urban Renewal Ditch and the Erie Canal, and the early Plan, since the space allocated by that plan railroad. The community is solidly behind is not adequate for effective development development of Fort Stanwix and the story and interpretation. It is recognized that the it represents, and has built an amphithea­ 20 General Development Plan does not pro­ ter, made costumes, and presented a pag­ vide for retention of the Daily Sentinel eant on this theme. Building, and it may preclude relocation of All this activity has great impact on Site Limitations the three HABS buildings across Liberty the monument's interpretive program. It means that much of the background mate­ Lands for the national monument Street as proposed in the Urban Renewal Plan. Use of some of the land recommend­ rial necessary to visitor understanding of must be cleared and donated, and their the main interpretive theme need not be purchase by the donor will be expensive. ed for commercial purposes, as indicated in the Urban Renewal Plan, for more visitor presented as part of the monument pro­ Among the buildings now on or adjacent gram; it will be effectively handled at the to the fort site are: parking or to continue existing buildings would at best seriously damage the setting Fort Stanwix Museum. Information on a. Knights of Columbus Hall of the fort and at worst preclude full what to see and do in the region, how to b. Office and plant of Rome Daily restoration. see and do it, where to stay, and so forth Sentinel Newspaper will be less necessary; it, too, will be pro­ c. Carpenters' Temple Requirements are: vided outside of, but in close proximity to, d. Women's Community Center (re­ the monument. Earlier and later events corded by HABS) 1. Those listed under Site Develop­ (the French and Indian War, development e. Stryker House (recorded by HABS) ment, above. of canals paralleling the Mohawk-Wood f. American Legion Post 24 2. Cooperation among the National Creek Route) which add to an understand­ g. Fort Stanwix Museum Park Service, urban renewal agencies, ing of Fort Stanwix will be presented in the h. Rome Club (recorded by HABS) and interested local groups in an at­ museum and given full treatment on site. i. Empire House (now a tavern; a tempt to arrive at a suitable site for the The community has both the enthusiasm wing of which is reputed to be the old­ three architecturally important build­ and the facilities to augment the presenta­ est structure in the city). ings. tion of the Fort Stanwix story through his- torical pageants, evening programs and so forth. Fort Stanwix The interpretive program at Fort Stan­ Museum Location wix National Monument should build upon these existing and proposed interpre­ The building now occupied by the tive activities within the Rome region. Rome Historical Society's Fort Stanwix The recommended method of interpret­ Museum must be removed to permit recon­ ing Fort Stanwix is to treat the recon­ struction of Fort Stanwix. The Society structed fort as an exhibit in place, re­ wishes to relocate, and would almost cer­ furnishing a representative sample of its tainly wish to relocate in the downtown buildings, and present the interpretive area. As noted above, the museum is an ex­ theme in the fort. Visitor contact, rest- cellent one which complements the inter­ rooms, information and fee collection, to­ pretive development proposed for Fort gether with office and maintenance space, Stanwix National Monument. The Nation­ will be provided in a contact station out­ al Park Service should encourage relocation side the fort. of the museum to a site outside of but near The details of interpretation will be the national monument. worked out later. Since we do not now have data as to the number and size of the struc­ tures within the fort, we will have to await Priority of Needs the assembling of this data so we will know Priority of needs is indicated on how much space will be available. the General Development Plan: first prior­ However, in broad terms, the interpre­ ity as "a" and second priority as "b". tive theme will be presented through litera­ ture, audio and audio-visual devices, and A. VISITOR FACILITIES, OFFICE AND MAINTE­ self-guided and guided tours. Space for NANCE these devices will be provided in those Office and maintenance space and visi­ rooms and structures not to be refurnished. tor facilities should be completed first to In addition, community interest and sup­ allow their use while other phases of devel­ port should be drawn upon to provide in­ opment are getting under way. That will terpretive demonstrations of 18th century also make it possible to provide interpreta­ military life, appropriate evening and ex­ tion of the archeological work which will tension programs, and so forth. be in progress on the site. Program requirements are: R. RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FORT 1. Site development. Completion of archeological investiga­ 2. Research on the Fort Stanwix story tions and simultaneously a concentrated to provide data for the interpretive program of historical research should be program. undertaken to collect and collate all surviv­ 3. Preparation of detailed interpretive ing documentary evidence. This research plans. should begin as early as possible. 4. Close cooperation with the Rome Preparation of reconstruction drawings Historical Society and its Fort Stanwix based on the findings of this research will Approved MarcliQ4, 1967 Museum, with Historic Rome Devel­ precede execution of the reconstruction. opment Authority and with other Research and development are con­ groups to insure an ellective and inte­ tingent upon appropriation by the Con­ by grated interpretive program. gress of the necessary monies. Associate Director United States Department of the Interior National Park Service FORT STANWIX National Monument A Master Plan Contents Introduction 1 Purpose 5 Objectives 5 Summary 5 Regional Characteristics and Analysis Access and Circulation 6 Population Data 6 Park and Recreation Facilities 6 Surroundings and Existing Use 7 Resource Evaluation 8 Resource Description History 8 Later History of the Region 10 Factors Affecting Resources and Use Legal Factors 12 Climate 12 Resource Use Existing Land Use 12 Visitor Use of Resources 12 The Plan Site Development 18 Site Limitations 20 Interpretation 20 Fort Stanwix Museum Location 21 Priority of Needs 21

Maps Regional Map—MP FOST-1 2 City of Rome—MP FOST-2 3 Vicinity Map—MP FOST-3 4 Regional Development Map—MP FOST-4 7 Historic Base Map—MP FOST-5 9 Archeological Base Map—MP FOST-6 10 Troop Movement Map—MP FOST-7 11 Existing Use Map—MP FOST-8 13 Urban Renewal Area Plan—MP FOST-9 16 & 17 General Development Plan—MP FOST-10 19

Illustrations Artist's Conception of Fort Stanwix Frontispiece Small Scale Aerial Photograph 14 Large Scale Aerial Photograph 15 Site Limitations 20 MP- FOST-9