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Publish Date: 6/28/2023

AMERICA’S WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE IS SET TO RETURN TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY Montgomery County Establishes an Official Commission Preparing for the Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 28, 2023
Contact: Morgan McClary, MMcClary@co.montgomery.ny.us; 518-774-9138
AMERICA’S WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE IS SET TO RETURN TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY


Montgomery County Establishes an Official Commission Preparing for the Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War

(FONDA, NY) – The sound of musket fire and cannon blasts once echoed across Tryon County and the Mohawk Valley. During the late 1770s and early 1780s, the founding of America and the struggle for the freedoms we all cherish was playing out across Montgomery County.

As the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Montgomery County is making its own preparations by establishing a special commission that will create educational programming, events, and messaging to promote the county’s significant connections to the Revolutionary War.

“Montgomery County played a key role in the struggle for independence and several Montgomery County residents had outsized voices as Founding Fathers,” said Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort.

“The 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding will be a major attraction for people looking to get back in touch with our country’s roots, and this commission will help us capitalize on the national excitement and activity. While it’s a few years away, establishing the commission and starting the planning process now will help us be prepared to make this a central part of our tourism initiatives in the coming years,” Ossenfort said.

Ossenfort noted that Visit Montgomery County, the county’s tourism initiative, has already prioritized local historic assets as part of its broader messaging, because of the interest generated by residents and visitors from outside of the region. 

“The Bicentennial brought renewed interest in American history and the Revolutionary War, and we hope to capture that same spirit with our 250th celebration. This is also a great opportunity to help educate young people about the connection between historic events they learn about in school and the communities where they are growing up. I look forward to working with our local leaders to create engaging and enjoyable events that educate the public and bring people to Montgomery County from across the state and the nation,” said County Historian Kelly Yacobucci Farquhar, who will chair the commission on behalf of Montgomery County.

Publicly accessible sites in Montgomery County connected to the Revolutionary War include:

  • Stone Arabia Battlefield and the Stone Arabia churches, including the cemetery where Col. John Brown is buried;
  • The Fort Plain Museum;
  • Fort Klock Historic Restoration;
  • Old Fort Johnson National Historic Landmark;
  • Van Alstyne Homestead;
  • Fort Lewis and the Currytown massacre;
  • Isaac Paris House; and
  • Palatine Church.

Members of the County Legislature passed a resolution officially establishing the Commission during the Full Board meeting on June 27.

Members of the Revolutionary War 250th Commemoration Commission will be tasked with developing public programming, events and marketing materials that commemorate and honor the Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Stone Arabia and other activities that occurred in the county at that time. Commission members will create a logo and messaging that showcases the county’s connections to the war, with an eye toward promoting long-term heritage tourism.

The commission will consist of 13 members, representing local historic sites, county government, and other relevant stakeholders.

In 2021, New York State passed the "New York State 250th Commemoration Act," which created the New York State 250th commemoration commission to develop a statewide plan to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Montgomery County’s Commission will look for ways to partner with New York State’s broader Revolutionary War commemoration efforts and work being done by other counties, to enhance the visitor experience.

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