2008 Schedule . . .

Holding Down the Fort:
225th Anniversary of Washinton's Visit to Fort Plain & the Mohawk Valley
the Fort Plain Museum, Fort Plain, NY - Aug. 1-3, 2008

Fort Plain was built during the winter of 1778 in response to the Cherry Valley massacre the previous fall. The fort was the staging area for 4 Revolutionary War battles in the greater Mohawk Valley area. In 1781 it became the headquarters of Colonel Marinus Willett who had been given command of all upstate New York forces from 1781 to the end of the war in 1783. The fort and surrounding fort hill terrain housed both local Militia and Continental Troops.

On August 2, 1780, Joseph Brant attacked the surrounding settlements with a force of 600. Women and children took up the defense of the fort until relief arrived from the 2nd Albany Militia and the fort was saved. Our annual "Holding Down the Fort" event is a celebration of that victory, with this year’s main event day being its actual 228th Anniversary.

Join fellow Reenactors from all over the Northeast for “Holding Down the Fort” 2008. The Fort Plain Museum offers a premier reenacting experience like no other. 60+ partially wooded acres are available for camping, battle reenactments, and making the most of the living history experience. Troops can drill on the actual ground where Militia and Continental Soldiers alike worked, trained and lived from 1780 to 1783.

Special Feature:
We have secured the services of Dean Malissa of Philadelphia, the nation's leading portrayer of George Washington, who will be the guest of honor at a fund raising Reception Friday evening in the 1786 Isaac Paris House, a Colonial Trading Post and the oldest structure in Fort Plain, and a Colonial dinner Saturday evening at the Van Alsytne Homestead. He will also be putting on interactive programs, and will be reenacting General Washington’s arrival at Fort Plain in late July 1783. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime event!

Other Special Happenings:

• Friday Evening Reception - On the evening of Friday, August 1, at 6pm, there will be a reception held in General Washington’s honor at the Isaac Paris Trading Post in Fort Plain. This is open to the public and reenactors alike for a fee, as this is a fund raising venture for the Museum. The reception is being catered by Chef Melissa Davidson, owner of Melissa’s in Canajoharie.
  • Download Reception Info (pdf)
• Saturday Evening Dinner - On the evening of Saturday, August 2, at 6pm, there will be a dinner held in General Washington’s presence at the Van Alstyne Homestead in Canajoharie. This is a limited seating event open to public and reenactors alike for a fee, as this is a fund raising venture for the Museum. There will only be one seating, and tickets are expected to sell out quickly. The reception is being catered by Chef Melissa Davidson, owner of Melissa’s in Canajoharie.
  • Download Dinner Info (pdf)

Preliminary Event Info

• Powder and Extra Insurance Provided
• Powder given to Unit Leaders upon Sunday departure.
• Registration and Set-up begins Friday afternoon.
• Complimentary cookout at 6pm Friday.
• Coffee & donuts provided Saturday and Sunday mornings.
• Units will be asked to have participants in some programs beyond the re-enactments.
• Morning Worship Service provided on Sunday.
• All re-enactors will receive Commemorative Awards.

More details to follow as plans are firmed.

The Fort Plain Museum is hosting this event with the assistance of the First Tryon Militia acting as co-chairs in organizing the programs.