Mission & Vision
The Schoharie County Historical Society is dedicated to encouraging and promoting a knowledge of and appreciation for the history and cultures of Schoharie County and its inhabitants from the prehistoric period to the present through advocacy, education, research, interpretation, preservation and restoration.
The Old Stone Fort
Originally constructed in 1772 as a High Dutch (German) Reformed church, the Old Stone Fort was the third building erected by the Palatine German settlers of Fuchs Dorf (Fox Town). Many of the original builders left their mark by chiseling their names into the stone walls, names that still reflect the valley’s earliest families.
With the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, the church was fortified in 1777 with a surrounding log stockade, transforming it into what became known as the Lower Fort, one of three defensive forts along the Schoharie River.
The fort complex expanded to enclose approximately one acre and featured blockhouses with mounted cannons at two corners. Inside the walls, huts were built to shelter local families, with their roofs doubling as firing platforms for defenders. Initially garrisoned by troops from the 5th New York Continental Regiment, the fort was later manned by Albany County militia and New York State levies.
On October 17, 1780, a force of approximately 800 Loyalists and Native American allies led by Sir John Johnson and Mohawk Captain Joseph Brant raided the Schoharie Valley. The fort was briefly attacked before the force moved north toward the Mohawk Valley. Evidence of the conflict can still be seen today, a cannonball hole remains visible in the rear cornice of the building.
Post Revolutionary War
Following the war, the stockade was removed in 1785, and the building resumed its role as a church until 1844, when the congregation divided and established new churches in Schoharie and Gallupville.
In 1857, the building was sold to New York State for $800 and converted into a militia armory. During this time, structural modifications were made, including raising the tower, removing the belfry, and adding a second floor. The fort served as an armory through the Civil War and until 1873, when it was transferred to Schoharie County for preservation.
The Historical Society
In 1889, the Schoharie County Historical Society was officially chartered to operate a museum at the site. By 1899, the Society had already cataloged 2,500 items in its growing collection. For more than 125 years, the Society has remained dedicated to preserving the rich history of Schoharie County.
At the heart of its mission is the Old Stone Fort, a significant site from the Revolutionary War era. The Fort is owned by Schoharie County and continues to be jointly operated by the County and the Historical Society. In addition, the Society owns and maintains six other historic buildings on the site.
Over time, the Society has amassed a collection of more than 50,000 artifacts, each helping to tell the story of the region’s past. The second-floor exhibits have changed little over the years and still reflect the eclectic collecting and display methods of the late Victorian era. Thousands of antiques and artifacts—from both war and everyday life—are on display in this “Cabinet of Curiosities.” Visitors can discover local geological specimens such as “turtle rocks” and “clay buttons,” as well as hundreds of household items, toys, firearms, archaeological objects, and more.
Today, the Society also maintains an extensive local genealogy collection, publishes a semi-annual historical review, and offers a full calendar of educational and family-friendly programs for the community.
