Mohawk Upper Castle Historic District facts for kids
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Mohawk Upper Castle Historic District
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Indian Castle Church viewed from Route 5S, December 2007
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| Nearest city | Danube, New York |
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| Built | 1693 |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001621 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 4, 1993 |
| Designated NHLD | November 4, 1993 |
The Mohawk Upper Castle Historic District is a special area in Herkimer County, New York. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1993. This means it's a very important place in American history.
The district is located south of the Mohawk River. It includes the Indian Castle Church, which was built in 1769. This church was made by Sir William Johnson, a British leader, for the Mohawk people. It was a church for missionaries, who are people who teach about their religion.
You can also find the Brant Family Barn here. This barn is a rare example of old Dutch colonial barns in the Mohawk Valley. The district also has important archaeological sites. These sites show how people lived in Nowadaga, which was the western part of the Mohawk village called Canajoharie. European settlers called this strong, walled village the Upper Castle.
This Upper Castle is different from the Lower Castle. The Lower Castle was another walled Mohawk village to the east. It was known as Tionondoroge and was near where Schoharie Creek meets the Mohawk River. Fort Hunter was built there in 1712. The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, which has parts of an old water bridge, is also near the Lower Castle's location.
Exploring the History of the Mohawk Upper Castle
The Mohawk people built their main villages, called "castles," after attacks by French Canadians and their Native American allies in 1693. They rebuilt their homes in both the Upper and Lower Castle areas. These areas were south of the Mohawk River.
The Indian Castle Church: A Place of Worship
The Indian Castle Church was built in 1769. It was a church for missionaries to the Mohawk people in their western village of Canajoharie. Sir William Johnson, a British leader, helped build it. The land for the church was given by Mary (Molly) Brant and her younger brother Joseph Brant. Both Mary and Joseph were important Mohawk leaders who worked with Johnson.
There is also a Mohawk cemetery nearby, which is an important part of the site. After the American Revolutionary War, most Mohawk people moved from New York to Canada. They had supported the British, who lost the war. After they left, different Christian groups used the church. These included Dutch Reformed, Union Congregation, Presbyterian, and Lutheran groups.
In 1855, a new group called the Union Church Society took over the church. They made some changes, including turning the building so its shorter sides faced north and south. This Society used the church until 1925. To save the church, local people formed the Indian Castle Church Restoration and Preservation Society. They have worked hard to raise money for it over the years. Because of their efforts, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The Society now runs the church as a public historic site.
The Brant Family Barn: A Glimpse into the Past
The Brant Family Barn is thought to have been built around 1754. This was when the Brant family first settled there. The houses where Mary Brant and her brother Joseph lived were burned down during the Revolutionary War. Most buildings in the valley from before the war were also destroyed. Mary and Joseph moved to Ontario, Canada, and settled on the Six Nations Reserve.
This historic area covers about 49.6 acres. It was privately owned and mostly used for farming. In 1940, Ralph Welden bought the property. His family still owns it today. They allowed scientists to study the land in the 1970s and 1980s. These studies found many important historical items. The family has worked to protect this land and its valuable history.
