Homeschool Day: Happy Birthday, United States!

Event Times

09:30 AM - 11:30 AM

12:30 PM - 02:30 PM

Registration Details

Please note: Registration is limited to 500 participants, which is typically reached within the first 48 hours of being live. All digital reservations are confirmed, unless you receive a "Waitlist" email stating otherwise. Waiting List: If you weren’t able to register before registration closed, call the park at 315-338-7730 and add your family’s name to the waiting list. If a spot opens, you will be notified the Saturday prior to the event.

Cost

This is a free event.

Event Description

A day just for you!
“Happy 250^th, America!” is a program created with the unique needs of homeschool families in mind.  Designed to be self-guided, participants may spend as much or as little time as they need at any of the learning stations.  In addition, the staff and volunteers are trained to help learners of all ages meet their curricular goals.  All you have to do is decide which activities are best for your students – we’ll be there to help with the rest!

How Do I Register?
Follow the link to the registration form on our social media post or on the website. All you need to do is fill out the form and follow the instructions to confirm your registration when you check in the day of the event. Please note: Registration is limited to 500 participants, which is typically reached within the first 48 hours of being live.

Waiting List
If you weren’t able to register before registration closed, call the park at 315-338-7730 and add your family’s name to the waiting list.  If a spot opens, you will be notified the Saturday prior to the event.

 What Will the Day Look Like?
Your day will be arranged the way you’d like it to be!  Choose the learning stations which meet your educational needs, and go have fun with hands-on history with a bit of adventure to guide your way!  Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your day:

• The morning session runs from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• A lunch break will be provided from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for your convenience. You may eat either a picnic meal with your family on the fort lawn, or go out to any of the great restaurants in Rome, many of which are within walking distance of the fort.  Please note: If you will be eating lunch on site, the park does not have covered picnic areas, and tables are limited.  Feel free to bring a blanket or chairs to enjoy your lunch on the lawn. Additionally, Fort Stanwix NM is a pack-in, pack-out site.
• The afternoon session runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

New This Year!
Along with tried-and-true favorites, we have some great new experiences to help commemorate our country’s 250^th birthday!

Johnson Hall State Historic Site

• “One Bowl More” – Did you know there were enslaved people living in the Mohawk Valley? What were their lives like? Discover their stories through the objects they used!
• “Silver and Stroud Beaver and Bear” – The fur trade was an essential connection between the American Indians, the colonists, and the Europeans. Discover how cashless commerce in North America helped to create a nation!

18^th Century Cricket
Since we’re celebrating America, a great ball game isn’t far away!  Join in a round as you learn about the popular sport of cricket – one of the predecessors of modern baseball.

Musket Drill
Join members of the 3^rd NY Regiment as they put new recruits through the “manual exercise”, or musket drill, that every soldier practiced for several hours each day. Combine this with the old favorite of artillery drill, and be ready to defend the fort from every angle! 

Some fun things to do on your own…

• Be a British spy with the “Spies Like Us” activity
• Fort Wall Frenzy game (inside fort)
• Build a fort inside the visitor center museum
• Dress in 18^th Century clothes and take your picture around the fort
• Watch the 17-minute soldier’s life movie in the Gregg Barracks theater (starts on the hour and ½ hour)
• Extend your educational visit in Rome with our Out and About flyer available at the Visitor Center

Visit Here, too!

• Gansevoort Park (In front of Rome Historical Society)
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers (Across the street from St. Peter’s Church)
• Oneida Carry Monument (West Dominick Street 1.5 blocks to the left of James St.)

How do I get to Fort Stanwix National Monument?
The park is located in the center of the City of Rome, NY.  If you are traveling by the NYS Thruway, use Exit 33 or 34.  Locally, State Routes 49, 46, 69, and 26 will bring you diectly to the site.  For more detailed directions, please visit the park website, www.nps.gov/fost.  If you are using GPS, our address is 100 N. James St., Rome, NY 13440.

Where Can I Park?
There are two areas you can park within walking distance to the fort. 

• Along N. James St. adjacent to the fort’s west lawn (limited, free)
• In any of the city lots – there is a free open lot on the corner of James and Liberty Streets, and in several other nearby open parking lots. Please note: W. Dominick St. is now 2-hour parking.  Be prepared to move your vehicle periodically if you park along this street.
  
  

We have plenty more planned, too!  The full schedule will be posted by the first week of September in the education section of the park website and the event section of our social media pages. We hope to see you soon!