Fort Klock Historic Restoration
P.O Box 42
St. Johnsville, New York 13452
518-568-7779
This Web Site is maintained by Fort Klock Historic Restoration. People dedicated to the continued restoration of Fort Klock. Membership meeting are held the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to join our little organization; information on becoming a member is on page 5 of this web site. For more information on becoming a member call 518-568-7779.
Owned by Fort Klock Historic Restoration, the largely original house has been restored and in 1973 was designated a National Historic Landmark, a site “of exceptional value in Commemoration or illustrating the history of the United States”. For Klock is not state or federally owned. The membership of Fort Klock Historic Restoration owns Fort Klock. Our members are made up by a group of ordinary citizens who have banded together to preserve this historic site. Fort Klock a non profit (501--C-3) organization. An educational institution charted by the Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department. Or primary goal is to preserve and accurately interpret our unique historic site.
Fort Klock is open Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. We are closed on Mondays. A small fee is charged for admission in the fortified farmhouse and guided tours are available. No admission is charged to enter the Fort Klock Trade Room. Groups wishing to use the picnic ground and/or arrange large group tours are asked to schedule their use ahead of time by calling 518-568-7779.
Fort Klock is located about one mile east of St. Johnsville, N.Y., on Route 5 and embodies about 30 acres of land. Fort Klock, the nucleus of the restoration, is a fortified farm homestead and fur trading post. Erected by Johannes Klock in 1750 from native limestone, used as a place of refuge during the French and Indian War and later during the American Revolution. The site was well chosen by Johannes Klock both for its advantages of trading and for defense. A sheltered cove along the riverbank provided safe anchorage for trading bateaux that plied the river. The massive stonewalls, nearly two feet thick, rest on a foundation of solid rock. The walls are constructed in two layers filled with rubble, a crude form of insulation against the winter’s cold. From the stone floor in the cellar, still bubbles a spring, which provided a constant supply of fresh water to the occupants without exposing them to outside danger. The walls are heavily loop holed on every side of the house so that muskets could be fired from the inside.
Other buildings of the restoration include the Fort Klock Country School, complete restored and furnished as an example of a nearly-vanished American institution, a Blacksmith shop and a Colonial Dutch Barn.
Note to Supporting and Active members of Fort Klock Historic Restoration; if you have not paid your 2012 membership dues, please do so. The dues structure is the same $10.00 for Active Members, $2.00 for Junior (18 and under) for Individual Supporting membership $15.00 and $20.00 for Family Supporting membership. If so inclined, we welcome any additional donations, which would be greatly appreciated. You can take pride in knowing you are helping to preserve a treasured Mohawk Valley Landmark.
Links to Other Sites with Information About Fort Klock
http://fortklock.com
www.klockconnections.com
www.fort-plank.com
http://www.szt-genealogy.org/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Klock
Opening Day
Fort Klock will open its doors on Memorial Day, May 28th. 10 am to 4 pm. This will be our 50th year that the fort has been open to the public. There will be a special presentation to the founding members and volunteers at 1:00 p.m. The Tryon County Militia will drill and fire their muskets. These Militia re-enactors are living historians who pay tribute by portraying those early colonists who fought for liberty during the American Revolution. Artisans will demonstrate 18th. century crafts. The barn frame loom will be "dresses" for the season. Come and join us as we pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom.