Fort Edward: History, Archaeology and the Canalway Trail

Fort Edward offers several ways to discover history and nature: at the Old Fort House Museum, exhibits trace the story from an 18th-century fortification to archaeological finds from much earlier times. If you prefer being outdoors, explore the Champlain Canalway Trail and the nature trails on Rogers Island. Choose how culture, archaeology or outdoor activities will shape your stay based on your interests.

A House with a History and a Glimpse into Life in Earlier Times

The Old Fort House Museum was built in 1772 using timbers from the ruins of Fort Edward, a fortification from the French and Indian War. During the American Revolutionary War, the house served as headquarters for British and American troops. These chapters give the building a special place in local history: it is connected both to the earlier fortification and to the later war.

The house operates as a museum and offers public tours. It also provides historical education programs for local schools. The exhibit “18th Century Life on Rogers Island & Fort Edward” features a re-created colonial home, a store and soldiers’ living quarters. The colonial home, store and soldiers’ quarters give you a concrete sense of different aspects of daily life. They can also prompt conversation during a visit with children: What happened in a store, what were living quarters for, and how was soldiers’ life different?

Archaeological Traces from Long Before the Town’s History

The exhibit on the Little Wood Creek Archaeological Site offers another perspective. Visitors can see some of the more than 80,000 artifacts discovered during the excavation. The site contains evidence of both the historic fort and prehistoric settlements dating back to around 1300 BC. This takes the story beyond the period covered by the museum: alongside the history of the fortification are traces of human settlement from a much earlier era.

When planning a trip, history enthusiasts can therefore choose between two distinct focuses: the stories of war and everyday life presented at the Old Fort House, or the archaeological finds and their place in a much longer timeline. Both topics offer a reason to get to know Fort Edward beyond a single building.

On Foot or by Bike Along the Historic Canal

The Champlain Canalway Trail offers another way to experience the area. From Fort Edward Village Recreation Park, the route follows Towpath Lane one mile northeast to the trail. Its surface is stone dust, and it is intended for pedestrians and cyclists. It runs alongside the historic Champlain Canal, which is no longer in use. The canal opened in 1823 and connects Lake Champlain with the Hudson River.

For directions to the Two Forts Route, the description starts at Fort Edward Village Recreation Park, at the intersection of McIntyre Street and Factory Street. On Rogers Island, visitor activities include nature trails and wildlife watching. Alongside the historical exhibits, trails and nature watching are other options to consider during your stay. The directions for the Two Forts Route and the Canalway Trail describe separate starting points; they are not presented here as a combined route.

Which Vacation Rental Suits Your Interests?

If your main interests are culture and archaeology, the museum and the history of the finds can be the focus of your trip. For a more active stay, consider the Canalway Trail, intended for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as the nature trails and wildlife watching on Rogers Island. These different interests can help you decide whether Fort Edward is the right destination for you and guide your vacation rental search based on the experiences that appeal to you most. This information does not establish the distances between the individual sites.

More places to explore: Fort Ann, Argyle, Whitehall and Eagle Bridge.

To the broader travel guide: Washington County.