Decoration Day Ceremony

Prior to Memorial Day, every May 30, the graves of Civil War soldiers were decorated with fresh flowers in what was known as Decoration Day.

The Old Stone Fort Museum will continue that tradition on Monday, May 30th at 1 p.m., in collaboration with the local chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the American Legion.
The first Decoration Day observance in Schoharie County occurred in Cobleskill in 1877, by the Civil War veterans organization the Grand Army of the Republic or GAR. That organization was later succeeded by the Sons of Union Veterans.

Since 2009, the Corporal James Tanner Camp #134 of the Sons of Union Veterans have been re-creating this ceremony at the Old Stone Fort’s Civil War monument and in the nearby cemetery where some 34 Civil War gravestones are located.

Starting at 1 p.m., there will be a ceremony led by the Schoharie County American Legion Honor Guard recognizing the dead of all wars. Followed by the traditional Decoration Day ceremony, and after a military volley, guests are invited to join in decorating the graves of the 35 Civil War soldiers buried in the Old Stone Fort Cemetery.

We hope to see you there!