A Cannonball Hit Central New York’s Old Stone Fort, and You Can Still See the Hole

My sister lives not too far from the Old Stone Fort in Schoharie, and whenever I visit her and drive past it, I think about all the family trips we took there as kids. My mom wanted us to soak in as much history as we could, and this was one of the places she made sure we saw.

If you enjoy exploring New York history, the Old Stone Fort could make a great day trip. The museum complex includes seven historic buildings and exhibits across 25 acres in the Schoharie Valley. Its centerpiece began as a church, became a Revolutionary War fort, and now holds artifacts and stories from the region.

The Old Stone Fort Began as a Schoharie Church

The building was constructed in 1772 as a High Dutch, or German, Reformed church. When the Revolutionary War reached the Schoharie Valley, builders built a log stockade around it in 1777, and the church became known as the Lower Fort. The Old Stone Fort’s history says early parishioners carved their names into the outside stones.

See the Cannonball Mark at Central New York’s Old Stone Fort

On October 17, 1780, Loyalist forces led by Sir John Johnson and Mohawk Captain Joseph Brant raided the Schoharie Valley. The fort was briefly attacked, and a cannonball struck the building. You can still see the hole in the rear cornice.

The cannonball remained lodged in a roof timber until repairs in the 1830s. Today, the museum displays it with the timber it struck. You can see details about the cannonball from the 1780 raid before you visit.

Explore the Old Stone Fort Museum

The Old Stone Fort is the centerpiece of a museum complex with historic buildings, exhibits, and thousands of artifacts connected to Schoharie County. Inside, you’ll find objects and stories from the region’s early settlers, the Revolutionary War, and everyday life in rural New York.

I remember being fascinated by places like this as a kid, and I still enjoy standing somewhere that has witnessed so much history. If you like the same kind of thing, this could be a fun stop to explore with your family.

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Check Old Stone Fort Museum Hours Before You Go

The season runs May through October. It’s open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s closed Wednesdays and Thursdays except by appointment.

Check the Old Stone Fort’s visitor information before you make the drive.