If you have ever visited Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome, you may have noticed the ditches around the fort.
What you may not know is that people lived in them.
“Any of the extra soldiers they had to house along with all the women and children were housed in either tents or huts in the ditch. And this may sound horrible, but you’re within the confines of the fort. You’re within the picket area, and you’re down low, so if there’s any kind of attack on the fort, you’re going to be fairly safe,” said Park Ranger Valerie Morgan.
What You Need To Know
- A program is taking place this Saturday to learn about women’s lives during the American Revolution
- A Fort Stanwix National Monument Park Ranger is presenting the virtual program in collaboration with the Oneida County History Center
- Participants will learn why women were essential to the lives of soldiers during the Revolutionary War
Morgan said most women were moved to Fort Dayton when Fort Stanwix, then called Fort Schuyler, was sieged in 1777.
“We only know of two women who stayed behind. One because she was very late in her pregnancy, and another to perhaps act as a midwife," Morgan said.
Morgan said women were important for the success of patriots in the American Revolution. Soldiers often didn’t know how or have time to do important tasks like laundry, and that’s where women stepped in.
“Every woman actually had between 50 and 100 soldiers to keep track of their laundry,” Morgan said. “That’s a lot. I have a family of four, and sometimes that seems like 100. I can’t even imagine what 100 would be like.”
Morgan has a virtual program coming up this weekend where she will highlight stories of women in the Revolutionary War, including those in the Mohawk Valley. The free event is being hosted by the Oneida County History Center. The center works to preserve history, including the stories of local women.
It’s a task that doesn’t come without effort.
“What you always have to think about with history, who was recording the history? So who’s writing it down? Who’s saving it, and why are they saving it? We’re lucky that some organizations were ran by women back in the day. We have a decent amount of their records, but other times with other contributions, you do have to do a little bit of digging,” said Oneida County History Center Director Rebecca McLain.
“Revolution Revelation: The Importance of Women in the Fight for Independence” is taking place virtually at 11:30 a.m on Saturday. More information can be found here.
Fort Stanwix National Monument is expected to reopen for a few days a week starting in April.