On Oct. 17, 1780 the Lower Fort (current day Old Stone Fort Museum) was put to the test when a force of approximately 800 loyalists and Indians under Colonel Sir John Johnson and Mohawk Captain Joseph Brant raided the valley and burned every farm, home and gristmill in their path in what was become known as the “Burning of the Valley” or the Johnson Raid.
The fort withstood a brief attack and at least two cannonball hits before the raiding forces moved on to the Mohawk Valley.
Today, you can still see one of those cannonball holes in a cornice at the rear of the building.
The 3-pound cannon ball which hit the fort on October 17,1780 actually remained lodged in the purlin plate until the roof was repaired in 1830 and is now on display in the actual piece of roof timbers it hit. It’s fascinating to be able to see that point of impact and the amount of a damage a 3-pound cannon ball can do after being fired from as much as a mile away!