Old Stone Fort Museum & Schoharie County Historical Society

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Old Stone Fort Museum & Schoharie County Historical Society

Local History Museum at the site of a Revolutionary War battle. A 1772 church fortified in 1777 and attacked in 1780 during the Revolutionary War.
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Now a museum for over 125 years. Thousands of artifacts in six historic buildings include a fire engine built before George Washington was born and Schoharie's first automobile! The museum is open daily May through October!

06/19/2026

Today, we join communities across the nation in honoring Juneteenth - a day of remembrance, reflection, and celebration of freedom.

Juneteenth marks the moment in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a powerful reminder that the promise of liberty must be continually protected, understood, and shared.

As a historic site dedicated to preserving and interpreting the past, the Old Stone Fort Museum encourages visitors and community members to reflect on the meaning of freedom in American history, to learn from the past, and to honor the resilience and contributions of African Americans throughout our shared story.

In recognition of Juneteenth, we are pleased to host a special presentation titled “To Be Remembered in Equal Measure” by Cathy Adams and Pat Hults. Their talk will share ongoing research into Black genealogy in Schoharie County, helping to recover and uplift family histories that are essential to understanding the full story of our region. The presentation will take place today, June 19th at 6:00 PM in the Badgley Annex (148 Fort Road, Schoharie, NY).

We invite you to take this day not only to celebrate, but also to listen, learn, and engage with history in a deeper way.

Happy Juneteenth.

06/18/2026

Bullet Mold

This bullet mold was used to make .58 caliber musket balls. Molten lead was poured into the opening at the top while the mold was held closed. Once cooled, the mold was opened and the excess metal was trimmed away using the cutter located just below the hinge.

The ends of the handles also function as a caliper, allowing the user to check that each musket ball was the correct size before use.

Thank you Matthew Avitable for adding this to the newspaper. This picture was taken and sent by Clay Edmunds.

06/17/2026

Take part in our Fort Building Competition on Sunday, June 28! Visitors of all ages are invited to put their creativity and building skills to the test as part of Hometown History Day, the kickoff to the Old Stone Fort Museum's week-long 250th Commemorative Celebration.

From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Badgley Annex, participants can design and construct their own fort creations. Put your STEAM skills to work as you design, build, and create your own fort! Builders of all ages are invited to take on the challenge and see where their imagination leads.

The completed forts will remain on display throughout the week, and visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite fort during our Pay What You Wish Week, when admission to the museum and all on-site events are by donation.

The winning fort will be announced on July 4 in the tent, immediately before the Tavern Toasts at 3:30 PM.

Bring your imagination and help us celebrate 250 years of history, community, and creativity. We can't wait to see what you build!

06/16/2026

To Be Remembered in Equal Measure

Join Cathy Adams and Pat Hults for a powerful presentation exploring the rich and often overlooked history of Black families in Schoharie County.

Through historical records, family research, local archives, and personal stories, this program highlights the lives, contributions, and legacies of Black residents whose histories are an essential part of our shared community story. Learn about the importance of preserving Black genealogy and ensuring that every voice is remembered in equal measure.

Details:

Date: Friday, June 19
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Badgley Annex, 148 Fort Road, Schoharie, NY
Suggested Donation: $5 per person to support future programming.

This special lecture is generously sponsored by Fenimore Asset Management.

All are welcome for an evening of remembrance, reflection, and discovery.

06/15/2026

We are less than TWO WEEKS away from our 250th commemorative events!

Join us June 28–July 4 for Pay What You Wish Week, a weeklong celebration commemorating America’s Semiquincentennial!

Enjoy Pay What You Wish admission to the museum and all on-site events throughout the week. Take part in a variety of special activities and programs, including our Eagle Scavenger Hunt, where visitors can search for 25 hidden eagles throughout the museum and grounds, and our Fort Building Competition.

Explore vehicles up close during Touch-a-Truck, uncover the secrets of Revolutionary War espionage during Spies of the Revolution, get creative at our Patriotic Painting Social, and experience dramatic readings of the Declaration of Independence. With hands-on activities, local history, and family-friendly fun throughout the week, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Join us at the Old Stone Fort and celebrate 250 years of American history with us!

Check our full schedule here: https://theoldstonefort.org/250th-at-the-fort/

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day!

Today we celebrate the Stars and Stripes, a symbol of our nation's history, ideals, and enduring spirit. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American flag on June 14, 1777, during the American Revolution, when the Founding Fathers and countless patriots were working to establish a new nation built on the principles of liberty and self-government.

As we reflect on the stories woven into our nation's past, we invite you to take a moment to appreciate the history and meaning behind the flag that has represented America for nearly 250 years.

From all of us at the Old Stone Fort Museum, we wish you a meaningful and patriotic Flag Day. ❤️🤍💙

06/13/2026

Civil War “Bowie” Knife

This knife was carried by Samuel Steinhover of Company I, 16th New York Heavy Artillery. Steinhover enlisted in the Union Army on January 8, 1864, at the age of 17.

Although not a regulation military sidearm, many soldiers carried large knives for use as tools and weapons. These knives were commonly known as “Bowie knives,” named after the famed frontiersman Jim Bowie, who fought at the Battle of the Alamo and was known for carrying a distinctive large hunting knife.

Thank you Matthew Avitable for adding this to the Cobleskill Herald (Mountain Eagle affiliate)! This picture was taken and sent by Clay Edmunds.

06/12/2026

Letter from Colonel Peter Bellinger, 1779

This letter concerns several soldiers who swore under oath that they continued to suffer from wounds received during a battle near Fort Schuyler in August 1777. It was written by Colonel Peter Bellinger on January 6, 1779, at Fort Dayton, located in present-day Herkimer, New York.

During the American Revolution, Bellinger commanded the 4th Regiment of the Tryon County Militia and played an important role in defending the Mohawk Valley frontier.

Thank you Matthew Avitable for adding this to the Cobleskill Herald (Mountain Eagle affiliate)! This picture was sent by Clay Edmunds.

06/08/2026

Join us for a fun and interactive adventure into the world of flags! Young explorers will discover the stories behind flags, learn to recognize common patterns and symbols, and design their very own flag to take home. Flags can tell amazing stories about people, places, and history!

Details:
Recommended for children ages 6–10 (1st–5th grade), older and younger siblings are welcome.

Cost:
• $5 per child
• FREE for museum members

Pre-registration is required.

Museum members: Please email [email protected] to pre-register. Include the lesson title, date you are registering for, and the number of children attending.

Non-members, please use the links below to sign up for the date you are interested in.

Dates & Times:
• Friday, June 12 at 10:00 AM https://theoldstonefort.org/calendar/junior-explorers-flag-lesson/
• Saturday, June 13 at 10:00 AM https://theoldstonefort.org/calendar/junior-explorers-flag-lesson-2/

Location:
Badgley Annex (148 Fort Road, Schoharie, NY)

Come discover how flags tell stories and create one of your own in this hands-on Junior Explorers lesson!

06/07/2026

Telescopic Level

Telescopic levels were used by surveyors and engineers to measure changes in elevation over long distances.

This level was manufactured around 1860 by Edmund and George William Blunt of New York City. It was used by George T. Lape, a civil engineer who helped design and construct the ramps and railroad approaches associated with the Brooklyn Bridge. He was also involved in the design and construction of some of the earliest bridges spanning the Connecticut River.

Donated by Samuel J. Lape.

Thank you Matthew Avitable for adding this to the Cobleskill Herald (Mountain Eagle affiliate)! This picture was taken and sent by Clay Edmunds.

Address

145 Fort Road/P. O. Box 171
Schoharie, NY
12157

Website

http://theOldStoneFort.org/

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