Old Fort Schuyler memorial

 In April 1883, Assemblyman William Townsend proposed a resolution to donate three pieces of ordnance from New York State to the historical society, to serve as corner ornaments on the triangle formed by the Old Fort Schuyler memorial. His motion passed on April 30 and on May 9, 1883, S.O. 44 was issued by NY Adjutant General I.G. Farnsworth directing the delivery of the aforementioned cannons to the historical society.

The cannons were identical “10 pounder” Parrott rifles, manufactured at the West Point Foundry in 1861 and detailed for use by New York State. The three were the only pieces in stock that would suit the purpose of S.O. 44, according to chief of ordnance BGen. Daniel D. Wylie — the officer charged with selecting and delivering them to Utica.

The Old Fort Schuyler monument stood until 1960 when it was dismantled to accommodate the construction of State Route 5S. At that time the cannons and two historic markers were moved west to the Bagg’s Square memorial site. The markers remain at the Bagg’s Square memorial to this day; the cannons did not fare as well.

Parrrott cannon at Gettysburg National Military Park

At some point in the late 1970s or early 1980s, after nearly a century of vandalism, neglect, and exposure to the elements, the cannons were deemed unfit for further display and were moved to storage in the Railway Express Agency (REA) wing of nearby Union Station. There they sat until the morning of June 22, 2011, when they were removed by the society and relocated to the former Deansboro train depot to facilitate their restoration (in partnership with the nonprofit Brothertown Association there which restores and preserves historic structures and artifacts).

The Project: In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War (1861-1865), and to honor the memory of those Oneida County citizens who sacrificed, fought, and died for the Union cause, the society has initiated a project that will result in the placement of one of these units on permanent exhibit in front of its building at 1608 Genesee Street in Utica. Unlike its previous years on display, the restored cannon will be protected under the cover of an architecturally appropriate pavilion that provides an unimpeded view but also protects the piece from the elements.