Montgomery County

The strategic location of Montgomery County-the "Gateway to the West"-and its valuable river, turnpike, canal, and railroad transportation routes make our history rich and complex.

Midpoint between today's celebrated Cooperstown and Saratoga attractions, Montgomery County has long been the center of some of the most important events in our nation's history: abundant natural resources sustained the Mohawk tribal people, whose villages once dotted the river corridor. The Dutch, and then German, British, and other settlers arrived in the early 1700s. It was at the center of intense fighting during the American Revolution, and postwar soldiers and pioneers traveled by river bateaux, then turnpike, and then via the Erie Canal to settle its fertile banks and supply the migration into the West.

With its natural break in the Appalachian Mountains at "The Noses," Montgomery County anchored America's main east-west axis, enabling New York to become one of the greatest manufacturing regions in the world.

Fort Johnson was built by Sir William Johnson in 1749. This baronial mansion next to Kayaderosseras Creek was, according to Johnson, "a good, strong dwelling by my mills, all of stone...." A National Historic Site.

Irish-born Sir William Johnson, England's superintendent of all Indian affairs in the northern colonies. Johnson was the most influential figure in Mohawk Valley Colonial history.

Attractions

Ames Museum Village Hall

The top floor of this 1839 academy houses many local artifacts featuring Ames' hey-day as the hops-growing "capital" of 19th-century America. Latimer Hill Road, Ames, 518-673-2601, call for hours.

Fort Johnson

250th-anniversary displays at the 1749 home of Sir William Johnson, the most influential figure in Mohawk Valley Colonial history. A National Historic Site. Routes 5 & 67, Amsterdam, 518-843-0300, May-October, W-Sun, 1-5 pm.

Fort Klock

1750 fur trading post with a fortified stone house typifies structures of the French and Indian Period. Route 5, St. Johnsville, 518-568-7779, May-October, Tues-Sat, 9 am-5 pm. Admission.www.global2000.net\fortklock

Guy Park State Historic Site

1773 home of Guy Johnson. Currently offices of Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. At Canal Lock 11, Route 5W at Evelyn Street, Amsterdam, 518- 842-8200; park open weekdays, 8:30 am-dusk. Margaret Reaney Memorial Library and Museum Extensive Revolutionary and Civil War displays, period rooms, paintings and bronzes, farm and trade tools, and genealogical resources. 19 Kingsbury Avenue, St. Johnsville, 518-568-7822, year round, call for hours.

Montgomery County Department of History and Archives

Vast collection of historical and genealogical collections and original county records. Old Courthouse, Fonda, 518-853-8187, weekdays (except legal holidays), call for hours. Research fees. The Palatine Church, located between Nelliston and St.Johnsville, is one of several stone Colonial churches in Montgomery County. The Palatine Church, located between Nelliston and St. Johnsville, is one of several stone Colonial churches in Montgomery County.

Nellis Tavern

A 1747 tavern and stone double-canal locks, currently being restored. Route 5, St. Johnsville, 518-568-2952, July-August, Sun 1- 5 pm and by appointment.

Palatine Church

A beautiful stone structure built by the Palatine Lutherans in 1770. Old Mill Road (off Route 5), Nelliston, 518-993-3539, by appointment. Queen Anne's Parsonage Currently a private residence. Originally part of the Fort Hunter complex, started in 1712. Queen Anne Road, Fort Hunter.

Walter Elwood Museum

One of only two public school-operated museums in New York. Exhibits on life in the Mohawk Valley, with special emphasis on the activities of children. 300 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, 518-843- 5151, year round, call for hours.

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and Visitors Center

Exhibits trace the history of the canal and its influence on New York State. Includes Yankee Hill Lock, a restored canal store with exhibits of the making of the Erie Canal. Accessible via the bike path (from Port Jackson section of Amsterdam) or by automobile. Public boat launch, 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter, 518-829-7516, May 15-last weekend in October, call for hours.

Stone Arabia Churches

Two 18th-century churches still stand side by side in the hamlet of Stone Arabia: The Dutch Reformed Church, a stone structure, erected in 1788, and Trinity Lutheran Church, constructed of wood, built in 1792. An 18th-century burial ground lies a short distance from the churches. Route 10, Stone Arabia, 518-993-2709, Sundays and by appointment.

Van Alstyne Homestead Society

Fortified 1745 homestead, typical of 18th-century Dutch architecture. Early colonial artifacts, furnishings, and 19th-century images of historic sites by artist Rufus Grider. Moyer Street, Canajoharie, 518-673-3317, by appointment. Family genealogies are lovingly preserved at The Montgomery County Department of History and Archives, Fonda. The department manages a vast research library with thousands of original county records and family genealogies.