Fort Edward: History and Nature Trails

Fort Edward offers two distinct focuses for a stay: history and nature. At the Old Fort House Museum, the former fortification and the house’s use during the American Revolutionary War take center stage. The Rogers Island Visitors Center complements the historical topics with exhibits on colonial life and archaeological finds. Visits to Rogers Island also include nature trails and wildlife viewing. Between historic buildings, exhibits, and outdoor trails, you’ll find a variety of ways to explore during your stay.

Historical Traces at the Old Fort House

The Old Fort House Museum was built in 1772 using timber from the ruins of the French and Indian War fortification, Fort Edward. During the American Revolutionary War, the house served as headquarters for British and American troops. Its construction date and military use therefore relate to two periods in its history: its origins point to the earlier fortification, while its later function relates to the Revolutionary War.

The Old Fort House operates as a museum and offers public tours. Historical education programs are available to local schools.

Exhibits on Colonial Life and Archaeology

The “18th Century Life on Rogers Island & Fort Edward” exhibit features a reconstructed colonial home, a store, and soldiers’ living quarters. These spaces illustrate different aspects of 18th-century life: a home, a store, and accommodations for soldiers. Their close proximity gives the exhibit its perspective on everyday life at the time.

Another exhibit on the Little Wood Creek Archaeological Site allows visitors to see some of the more than 80,000 artifacts discovered during the excavation. The site also contains evidence of both the historic fort and prehistoric settlements dating back to around 1300 BC. The archaeological perspective thus complements the portrayal of colonial daily life with evidence of a much earlier period of settlement.

The two exhibit topics offer different perspectives: the reconstructed spaces illustrate aspects of 18th-century life, while the archaeological finds and traces of settlement extend beyond the history of the fort. If you’d like to compare historical topics, everyday life and archaeological traces from earlier periods are presented side by side here.

Nature Trails and the Champlain Canalway Trail

Visits to Rogers Island include nature trails and wildlife viewing. The Champlain Canalway Trail offers a different focus: this stone-dust trail runs alongside the historic, decommissioned Champlain Canal and is intended for pedestrians and cyclists. The canal opened in 1823 and connects Lake Champlain with the Hudson River. So while nature trails and wildlife viewing are the focus on Rogers Island, the Canalway Trail offers a route along the historic canal.

A route from Fort Edward Village Recreation Park follows Towpath Lane one mile northeast to the Champlain Canalway Trail. This describes the distance from the park to the trail. Check trail conditions and access before your visit.

Fort Edward Village Recreation Park, at the intersection of McIntyre Street and Factory Street, serves as a landmark for the Two Forts Route. The route can be traveled in either direction. Together with the connection via Towpath Lane, the park provides a specific reference point for planning your route, while the destinations and themes of the trails remain distinct.

Discover more destinations: Argyle, Whitehall, Fort Ann, Eagle Bridge

For the regional travel overview: Washington County.