The Mohawk Valley played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and a new website will not only spotlight its significance but also promote the region as a premier, historically-themed travel destination.
The Mohawk Valley Region Path Through History recently launched its website, MohawkValleyHistory.com, featuring information on Revolutionary War forts and battlefields, colonial-era structures, and Native American cultural centers, in an easy-to-use, educational format.
MohawkValleyHistory.com ties historically and culturally significant places, people, and events throughout the Mohawk Valley Region together in one story—as “American’s First Frontier.” The project is part of the statewide tourism venture, New York State Path Through History.
MohawkValleyHistory.com will be a hub for visitors to plan trips using themed itineraries and an events calendar, view the Region’s complete listing of Revolutionary War-related historic sites, and locate nearby merchants, including restaurants, shopping, and lodging.
“I am very excited to see the project launch its website,” stated Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Fulton County Director of Tourism and MVPTH Committee member. “The Mohawk Valley’s role in the Revolutionary War was significant and the website will allow the Region to tell its story to the world.”
“The Mohawk Valley Region houses a plethora of historical assets which are now connected in a large scale marketing project to highlight their significance to each other and drive tourism to the Region.” DaBiere-Gibbs continues, “Previous to the Path Through History project, each site and the individual counties would market similar experiences separately from each other. The joint effort, which includes the website, allows travelers to access regional information in a central location built specifically to put the spotlight on our abundant history.”
The MVPTH Region is comprised of Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie and Saratoga Counties. MVPTH plans to collaborate with other regions across the state as new projects and historical themes emerge.
Fulton County historical sites featured on MohawkValleyHistory.com include Johnson Hall State Historic Site, the Drumm House, and Fulton County Museum. Montgomery County sites include Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park, Fort Klock, National Kateri Tekakawitha Shrine and Mohawk Caughnawaga Indian Museum, and the Arkell Museum, among others.
“The Mohawk Valley Path Through History website helps to tell important stories about the region’s history—stories that can only be experienced first-hand in the Mohawk Valley and creates a compelling incentive to choose the Mohawk Valley as a travel destination,” explains Jacki Meola, Economic Development Specialist for the Montgomery County Business Development Center. “While Montgomery County itself is filled with historically and culturally significant sites and events, this website helps link us with other historic resources in our area, and allows the traveler to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past.”
Additional interactive features and social media tools for MohawkValleyHistory.com are slated to be unveiled in Spring 2014. Currently MVPTH can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/mohawkvalleyhistory; on Twitter, twitter.com/MVPTH; followed on Instagram as #mvpath; and Pinterest, pinterest.com/mvpth.