Add an Article Add an Event Edit

Fort Edward Historical Association

29 Broadway Street
518-747-9600

History
The Old Fort House Museum was constructed by Patrick Smyth in 1772 with timbers taken from the ruins of Fort Edward, a French and Indian War fortification. Smythe was arrested at the house in 1777 by General Benedict Arnold for being a loyalist to the British Crown. During the Revolutionary War, the house was used by both British and American troops as headquarters. American General Stark erected a stockade fence around the house and for a time the building was called Fort Stark. It was also used by British General Burgoyne for a short time.

Baroness Von Reidesel also mentions staying at the house in her memoirs. Colonel Adiel Sherwood purchased the house after Smythe’s arrest and operated it as an Inn and Tavern. Another owner of the house was Dr. John Cochran, George Washington’s personal surgeon and the first Surgeon General of the American Army In July 1783, General George Washington dined at the house twice on his way to and from Crown Point, bringing with him another future President, James Monroe