Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is open by Reservation Only – please call to schedule a time to visit our Pathway to Empire Exhibit.
129 Schoharie Street
Fort Hunter, NY 12069
- General Information: (518) 829-7516
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal as one of the 19th century's greatest commercial and engineering projects. The Visitor Center exhibit traces the history of the Erie Canal and its impact on the growth of New York State and the nation.
Within the site's boundaries are many structures dating from the three eras of the canal's development. At the eastern end of the site is the Putnam Lock Stand at Yankee Hill that houses an exhibit on Erie Canal stores. The site's largest structure is the remains of the Schoharie Aqueduct, which carried the water of the Enlarged Erie Canal over the Schoharie Creek.
Schoharie Crossing is also the location of 18th century Fort Hunter and the Lower Castle Mohawk village. See artifacts from that portion of our history on display at the Visitor Center.
Stop into the Visitor Center to orient yourself to the site, check out the exhibit space and gift shop.
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site offers educational outreach programs as well as an on-site school field trips and special events.
Pavilion Information
Schoharie Crossing has three tents available. Prices range from $50 to $75 and can accommodate up to 25 people. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com.
P.O. Box 140 Fort Hunter, NY 12069
Hours of Operation
Schoharie Crossing Grounds are open from Sunrise to Sunset.
The Visitor Center is open by Reservation Only – Please Call to Schedule a time to Visit the Pathway to Empire Exhibit.
Hours available between 10am and 4pm Wednesday to Saturday and between 1pm and 4pm on Sundays.- Tours and Exhibit at Schoharie
Crossing
Guided tours of the site grounds will be given by advance reservation only on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 3pm Call the Site at (518) 829-7516 during normal business hours to schedule. Tours are $2 per person.Tours will be limited to 5 people.Masks must be worn by all visitors inside the Visitor Center.Access into the Visitor Center will be provided by staff. Visitors should arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to their reserved time.Interpretive signs throughout the grounds of Schoharie Crossing provide information on the various canal features and pre-canal history of the site.All social distancing guidelines should be practiced by visitors while at Schoharie Crossing.
Fees & Rates
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site does not charge a vehicle fee
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.
The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.
- Admission
There is no admission fee however some fees apply for special events, educational services, tours and the use of picnic areas.
$3 per person for guided tours (available by reservation)
Contact the site for Student Group rates and options. Outreach program rates and topics are available by request."
Maps
New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.
Our new exhibit, "Pathway to Empire: How the Erie Canal Helped Build America" helps us mark the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Erie Canal. This exhibit highlights the major themes associated with the history of the canal and illustrates them with interesting artifacts and interactive displays. A major focal point of the exhibit is a scale model of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct and Lock 30, along with the Browns Cash Store that once stood along the canal here in Fort Hunter, NY. By using artifacts and primary documents, this exhibit delves into the geology, social and economic impacts, political motivations, and engineering of the nationally significant and historic waterway we know as the Erie Canal. With its rich history, the canal continues to play a critical role in the lives of all New Yorkers and Americans to this day.
Inside of our Visitor Center you can also view panels on the pre-canal history of the site. This portion of our exhibit highlights the Mohawk Village as well as the British Colonial fort that once existed along the banks of the Schoharie Creek. Witness artifacts that were excavated onsite that help tell the story of this era of New York and American History.
In partnership with the United States Geological Survey, there are panels that illustrate the historic water conditions of the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River. This exhibit demonstrates the immense power of water and the destructive nature of flooding in the valleys.
Featured on the east end of the historic site at the Putman Canal Store - Yankee Hill Lock, there is an exhibit on canal commerce along the waterway. Coming soon there will be a display monitor by USGS providing information on the stream gauging of the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River.
Saturday, May 1, 2021 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Start time for all projects: 9am End time for all projects: 12pm
Meeting Location for all projects: Meet at the Visitor Center - 129 Schoharie Street. Parking Instructions: There is a parking area at the Visitor Center - we will check-in and discuss the projects of the day before directing out on site.
Volunteer Project #1: Friends of Schoharie Crossing will show their love of the park as Ambassadors along the Eagle Trail and Empire State Trail - greeting cyclists, walkers, families, etc. Providing information about the trails, the historic site, little free library, etc. They will also be picking up debris, trash, and litter along the way. Beautifying these recreation ways. Project location: Yankee Hill Lock - East and West Ages: Appropriate for ages 13+ Please bring: Garden gloves, positive and welcoming attitude!, snack and water
Volunteer Project #2: Heading out from the Visitor Center - project participants can traverse the trails in a socially distant manner to collect litter/trash, remove debris and welcome visitors along the way. Special work can be done around the Visitor Center to "spruce" up the grounds. Project Location: Visitor Center and Trails Ages: All ages welcome Please bring: Hands tools such as rakes, hand trimmers, small hand saw, gardening gloves, water, and snack
Wednesday, May 12, 2021 06:30 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
The life of DeWitt Clinton is an interesting exploration into the politics of early America and New York State. Recognized now as the "Father of the Erie Canal," NYS governor and former mayor of New York City, Clinton had tended to personal and political rivalries to accomplish legislative goals. Discover some of the intrigue, wrangling, and dirty politics that lead ultimately to DeWitt's Duel on the plains of Weehawken, New Jersey. This is part of a program swap between Schoharie Crossing and the Fulton County Museum. Please join us on the 26th for "Service on the Home Front: Rationing During WWII" with Samantha from the Fulton County Historical Society & Museum. FREE and open to the public.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021 06:30 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
The American people felt the effects of World War II long before they fought in it. When America entered the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, it became clear that the creation of a nationwide mandatory rationing program would need to be created. Discover the ways Fulton County residents fulfilled this patriotic duty with Samantha Hall-Saladino, FCHS Executive Director. This is the second part of a program swap between the Fulton County Museum and Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site. Be sure to also join us on the 12th for DeWitt's Duel: Political Rivalry at Ten Paces. Thank you for joining us for this FREE program.
Thursday, June 10, 2021 06:30 PM
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Via Webex only.
In 1824 the Morris Canal & Banking Company (MC&BC) was chartered to build a canal that would carry coal, mined in Pennsylvania, to developing markets along the eastern seaboard. The canal would pass through the heart of New Jersey's iron district and provide the long-needed transportation system that would create new commercial activity. The completed canal extended 102 miles and opened for business in 1831. In 1836 it was expended from Newark to New York Harbor at Jersey City, crossing the rugged highlands of New Jersey.
Engineers designed a system of 23 lift locks and 23 inclined planes to overcome the impressive elevation change of 1,674 feet. The canal's famous water-powered inclined planes were an engineering marvel. Mule-drawn canal boats transported cargo during the heyday of the canal, and hundreds of boats carried everything from coal and iron ore to agricultural products. By the early 1900s, the canal became obsolete. However, it took until 1924 to adopt a plan to close and dismantle the canal. Today, the Morris Canal Greenway, a partnership between local communities and the Canal Society of New Jersey, seeks to preserve the surviving historic remains of the canal, interpret canal sites, and offer recreational opportunities to the public.
Amenities Information
- Amenities
- Biking
- Equestrian Trails
- Gift Shop (Accessible)
- Hiking (Accessible)
- Picnic Area (Accessible)
- Snowshoeing/X-Country Skiing
- Tours (Accessible)
- Visitor Center (Accessible)