Old Stone Fort
Also known as: Reformed Dutch Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1772, this two-story stone church on Fort Road in Schoharie was raised by local settlers under master mason John Schuyler. Its walls use stone from several local quarries, with dressed ashlar on the east front, a modillion cornice, round-arched windows and a separate square tower. During the Revolutionary War the building was enclosed by pickets and became the "Lower Fort," one of three forts protecting valley families from Loyalist and Indian raids between 1778 and 1785. On October 17, 1780, a force of about 800 led by Sir John Johnson and Joseph Brant attacked it, and a scar in the west wall is traditionally attributed to a cannonball. The congregation left in 1844. New York State bought the building in 1858 and used it to store arms until 1873, when it passed to Schoharie County. Since 1888 the county historical society has kept it as a museum of regional artifacts. It is the only surviving building tied to the Lower Fort and is a rare Georgian-influenced stone church in the valley.
Significance in brief: The building is a rare surviving example of vernacular Georgian stone masonry in the Schoharie Valley. During the Revolutionary War it formed the core of the "Lower Fort," a stockaded refuge for settlers from 1778 to 1785, and it withstood an attack led by Sir John Johnson and Joseph Brant in October 1780. It has housed the county historical society's collections since 1888.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 02001643, listed December 31, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 145 Fort Rd., Schoharie |
|---|---|
| County | Schoharie County |
| Listed | December 31, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001643 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1772-1889 |
| Architect / builder | John Schuyler (builder) |
| Architectural style | Colonial/Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a museum and library storage by the Schoharie County Historical Society; the form states it retains substantial integrity of design and materials. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Within district | Schoharie Village Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.67738, -74.30183 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 02001643.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7085110
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.