Old Fort House (Fort Edward, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Fort House
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 29 Lower Broadway, Fort Edward, New York |
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| Area | 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) |
| Built | 1772 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001826 |
| Added to NRHP | September 15, 1983 |
The Old Fort House is a really old and important house in Fort Edward, New York. It's located at 29 Lower Broadway. Today, it's a museum run by the Fort Edward Historical Association. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 because of its special history.
Contents
History of the Old Fort House
Revolutionary War Era
The Old Fort House was built in 1772. It's one of the oldest wooden houses in northern New York. A man named Patrick Smyth built it using wood from the old Fort Edward.
During the American Revolutionary War, this house was very important. It was used as a headquarters by both the American and British armies. Famous people like George Washington even visited the house!
A German noblewoman, Baroness Frederika Charlotte Riedesel, wrote about the house in her diary. She called it "the Red House." Her husband, General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, led soldiers who fought with the British army.
Solomon Northup's Story
From 1830 to 1834, a man named Solomon Northup lived in Fort Edward. He and his wife, Anne Hampton Northup, first lived in the Old Fort House.
Solomon Northup later wrote a famous book called Twelve Years a Slave. In his book, he described the Old Fort House as "the old yellow building." His amazing story was made into a PBS TV movie in 1984. Later, it became an Oscar-winning film in 2013, also called 12 Years a Slave.
The house had some damage from a fire in 1943, but it was repaired.
The Old Fort House Museum
Today, the Old Fort House is the main building of a museum complex. There are five buildings open for tours during the summer. These include the Old Fort House Museum itself, an old law office, a pavilion, a schoolhouse, and a barn gallery.
Many people think it's one of the best house museums in this part of New York and New England. Every summer, the museum hosts a fun event called the Annual Country Fair & Antiques Auction. It's a great way to learn about local history and enjoy some old-fashioned fun!
