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Fort Plain/Fort Rensselaer The village of Fort Plain was originally named for an important military outpost in the Revolutionary War. It began, like literally dozens of other forts on the New York frontier, as a refuge for local inhabitants in times of danger. After the Battle of Oriskany in 1777 the valley was virtually defenseless. Attacks on frontier settlements such as the Cherry Valley Massacre continued through 1778. During the fall and spring of 1779, Fort Plain was rebuilt into a strong military outpost. By 1780 General Van Rensselaer had decided to make the tiny fort his headquarters and the fort was thus renamed Fort Rensselaer. The summer of 1780 brought the “Burning of the Valleys”, a devastating series of raids led by Sir John Johnson. Johnson and his chief lieutenants, Walter Butler and Joseph Brant moved through the valley burning homes, farms and fields. In August of that year a raiding party came within a few hundred yards of the fort, burning the Canajoharie Reformed Church, then located on adjacent Sand Hill. Almost the entire garrison was away escorting supplies to Fort Stanwix. Women and children fled into the fort and donned men’s uniforms to walk the walls and give the impression of a strong defense. The ruse worked and the fort was saved. After the Battles of Stone Arabia and Klock’s field, Marinus Willett, the hero of Fort Stanwix, replaced General Van Rensselaer. It was Willett who led the attack against the British camps outside of Fort Stanwix and later slipped through the enemy’s lines to come down the valley for help. Willett also made Fort Plain his headquarters and began improving the fortifications there. He added an exterior Blockhouse about 400 yards northwest of the main fort effectively transforming the entire hilltop into a much larger fortified position. The space between the fort and the blockhouse filled with additional soldiers, displaced families and supportive services such as a cookhouse and blacksmith shop. While Willett clearly preferred the name “Fort Plain” out of respect for the local citizens he was under orders to use the name Fort Rensselaer in all official correspondence. In July of 1781 scouting parties from Fort Rensselaer discovered the camp of a Loyalist raiding party at present day Sharon Springs. Willett immediately assembled 140 men to march all night to surprise the enemy. Under Willett’s daring leadership they attack and defeat an enemy force twice their size. Again in October of that year Willett attacks and defeats a much larger British force at the Battle of Johnstown. In February 1783 Willett is entrusted with what must be the final mission of the Revolution. General Washington asks Willett to lead an assault team to capture Fort Ontario in Oswego. The mission is kept secret and no one knows the destination until the last minute. The mission fails when the guides become confused in the dark and the element of surprise is lost. The fort remains in British hands for another 13 years. In July of that year General Washington decides to visit the upstate areas before returning home to Virginia. On July 28th Washington reviews the troops at Fort Rensselaer and receives a welcome worthy of the new Commander in Chief. The Strategy of Fort Plain
The site of Fort Plain was chosen both for its defendable hilltop and strategic location in the valley. From the hilltop one could observe the Mohawk River in both directions and also the Otsquago Creek, which runs south to meet the headwaters of the Susquehanna River System. It was at this point on the river that General James Clinton brought his 2000 man army to head south to Otsego Lake and down the Susquehanna River to join General Sullivan in their march to attack the Loyalist Indians of western New York. The fort hilltop itself was an almost impregnable position. Three sides of the hill are very steep and at the time were covered with sharpened brambles and thorn bushes called “the abates”. The fourth side of the hill formed an isthmus, which was cut across by trenches and a series of defensive Redoubts that could monitor the approach of an enemy. Fort Plain Today
The Fort Plain Museum began operation in 1961 as the Fort Plain Restoration with an emphasis on rebuilding Revolutionary War Fort Plain. At that time the museum began archaeological field work on the Fort Plain hilltop, unearthing 18th century period artifacts relating to the fort's history. On April 26, 1963 the museum received a "Provisional Charter" from the State of New York and a designation as a 501C3 not-for-profit educational institution. Archaeology continued in 1964 as additional sites relating to colonial Fort Plain/Fort Rensselaer were unearthed. In 1968 the organization received an "Absolute Charter" from the University of the State of New York Making the institution a permanent member of the museum community. Archaeological investigation and research continued in 1975 under the auspices of Wayne Lenig who excavated the site of the original fort's stockade. The exploration uncovered barracks buildings, a dining hall, officers quarters, a small blockhouse and sentry posts. During the 1980's and 90's the museum has developed exhibits on the different eras of history of the village of Fort Plain. Currently the museum's exhibits span the 17th, 17th and 19th centuries covering such topics as the Mohawk and Oneida Indians, German Palatines of the Mohawk, Victorian Era in the valley and the Erie Canal. Recently the Board of Directors decided the museum should refocus its efforts on the original colonial Fort Plain/Fort Rensselaer story. Research is again underway focusing on the fort's role in American history as the defender of the Mohawk Valley. The museum property encompasses a park of approximately 75 acres and contains the following site and features:
In 2009 the museum débuted new indoor and outdoor exhibits on Fort Plain’s role in the Revolutionary War and the defense of the Mohawk Valley. The hilltop grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. By Norman J. Bollen
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