Mission Statement 

The Mission of the Rogers Island Heritage Development Alliance, Inc. and the Rogers Island Visitors Center is to communicate the prehistory and colonial history of Fort Edward and Washington County through exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and other public events.  This is done by interpreting Native American prehistory and the period of European contact, the colonial wars,  up to and including the American War for Independence. The Center vigorously promotes tourism, in particular heritage tourism, and collaborates with museums, historical organizations and other visitors centers along the Hudson River, Lake George and Lake Champlain Corridor.

For Teachers

Please call the Visitor Center at 747-3693 to book your visit. We bring alive for students the following NYS Social Studies Standards:

Standard 1: History of the United States
and New York

Key Idea 1: The study of New York State and United States history requires an analysis of the development of American culture, its diversity and multicultural context, and the ways people are unified by many values, practices, and traditions.

Key Idea 2: Important ideas, social and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions from New York State and United States history illustrate the connections and interactions of people and events across time and from a variety of perspectives.

Key Idea 3: Study about the major social, political, economic, cultural, and religious developments in New York State and United States history involves learning about the important roles and contributions of individuals and groups.

Key Idea 4: The skills of historical analysis include the ability to: explain the significance of historical evidence; weigh the importance, reliability, and validity of evidence; understand the concept of multiple causation; understand the importance of changing and competing interpretations of different historical developments.

  Standard 2: World History

 Key Idea 2: Establishing timeframes, exploring different periodizations, examining themes across time and within cultures, and focusing on important turning points in world history help organize the study of world cultures and civilizations.

  Standard 3: Geography

Key Idea 1: Geography can be divided into six essential elements, which can be used to analyze important historic, geographic, economic, and environmental questions and issues. These six elements include: the world in spatial terms, places and regions, physical settings (including natural resources), human systems, environment and society, and the use of geography.

NYS Core Curriculum: Grade 4: Local History and Local Government

"Students study about the significant people, places, events, and issues that influenced life in their local communities. Students can investigate local events and issues and connect them to national events and issues. The grade 4 program should consider the following themes and events at the local level: Native American Indians of New York State, the European encounter, the colonial and Revolutionary War period, the new nation, and the period of industrial growth and development in New York State. This chronological framework will help students to organize information about local history and connect it to United States history."

Connect local, New York State, and United States history, focusing on the following themes:

• Native American Indians of New York State

Native American Indians were the first inhabitants of our local region and State. The Iroquois (Haudenosaunee—People of the Longhouse) and the Algonquian were the early inhabitants of our State.

Meeting basic needs—food, clothing, and shelter

Uses of the environment and how Native American Indian settlements were influenced by environmental and geographic factors

Important accomplishments and contributions of Native American Indians who lived in our community and State

• European encounter: Three worlds (Europe, Africa, and the Americas) meet in the Americas

Groups of people who migrated to our local region and into our State

• Colonial and Revolutionary periods

Dutch, English, and French influences in New York State

Lifestyles in the colonies—comparisons during different time periods

Different types of daily activities including social/cultural, political, economic, scientific/technological, or religious

Ways that colonists depended on and modified their physical environments

Cultural similarities and differences, including folklore, ideas, and other cultural contributions that helped shape our community, local region, and State

• The Revolutionary War in New York State

Location of New York State

The significance of New York State’s location and its relationship to the locations of other people and places

Geographic features that influenced the War

Native American Indians in New York State influenced the War.

The war strategy: Saratoga and other local battles

Loyalists and patriots in New York State-Jane McCrea

Leaders of the Revolution

Effects of the Revolutionary War

(Source: New York State Department of Education.)