Fort Ontario

09/06/2026

09/04/2026

Join Fort Ontario SHS staff and others at The Steuben Memorial SHS next weekend for this wonderful commemorative event!

Step back in time this September!

History comes to life at the Steuben Memorial State Historic Site during Drill, Duty, Revolution, a two-day encampment honoring Baron von Steuben.

On September 12 & 13, explore what life was like during the Revolutionary era with military camp demonstrations, historic trades, 18th-century games, artillery demonstrations, and more.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can experience: 🪖 18th-century military camp life 🍺 Historic brewing demonstrations 🧺 Historic laundry demonstrations 🎲 18th-century toys & games 💥 Artillery demonstrations 📜 The Revolution Traveling Exhibit 🎶 A performance by the Utica Maennerchor and a commemorative ceremony on Sunday

📅 Saturday & Sunday, September 12–13
📍 Steuben Memorial State Historic Site 9941 Starr Hill Road, Remsen
🎟️ FREE and open to the public!

Bring the family and spend the weekend experiencing history right here in Oneida County.

👉 Save the date and come see the Revolutionary era brought to life!

08/29/2026

Come see the Hospital Steward [portrayed by Erin] today! The set up is under the shade of our horse chestnut tree between both of the Officers' Quarters!

08/26/2026

We had so much fun at opening day of the NYS Fair! Fort Ontario SHS will also be in attendance 8/27, 8/28, 8/29, 9/2 and 9/5 from 10am-6pm with our statewide Revolutionary War Showcase. Join us for a world class exhibit featuring original objects from the war tied to NYS history, trade & transportation programing, soldiers life & camp demonstrations and a whole lot more. All located at the NYS Park at the Fair.

08/20/2026

Join us this weekend!

08/15/2026

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the dedication of the David MacLean Memorial Post Garden today. We enjoyed perfect weather and a wonderful musical performance by Tamara Moser.

08/14/2026

Tomorrow August 15th at 1pm please join us for the dedication of the David MacLean Memorial Post Garden at Fort Ontario. Dave was among many things, a true friend of the fort and often made period reproductions for display and educational programing. Tomorrow we will unveil his last piece, a post civil war design water cooler pictured here. US Army soldiers on garrison duty post civil war would typically not carry a canteen unless on fatigue or guard duty. Dave started this amazing piece based on historic examples so our interpretive staff can keep cool and hydrated all summer while remaining authentic to our living history standards. It is also built around a modern igloo water cooler keeping everything cold all day!

Dave passed before its completion so Fort Ontario staff worked hard to finish this remarkable piece just in time! Join us for some ice cold water from the cooler, foodways programing, historic toys and games, refreshments and a very special musical performance in Dave's honor. All kicking off at 1pm August 15th.

08/12/2026

We can't wait to show you the new Dave MacLean Memorial Post Garden this Saturday! Join us for the dedication ceremony from 1-3pm.

08/12/2026

82 years ago today - "During the first few weeks, before visits by friends and relatives were allowed, the telephone booths at the shelter were busy until the late hours of the night as refugees received calls from relatives and friends whose voices they had not heard in many years. The list of shelter residents had been published in the papers at the time of the group's arrival, and many persons called the shelter in the hope of locating family members and friends who might be included in the group. WRA (War Relocation Authority) staff members who voluntarily assigned themselves during the evening to help the refugees in placing and receiving the calls were struck by the poignancy of a number of these telephone 'reunions' in which a relative reestablished contact with a son, brother, or nephew."

Photo: Telephone Exchange at Fort Ontario through which phone calls were routed. William McCarthy Collection: Fort Ontario SHS.

Fort Ontario, Oswego, NY - Where the Holocaust Came to America.