NARROWSBURG – The Barryville based non-profit history education group, The Delaware Company, has announced that it will be officially re-opening Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History in Narrowsburg for the 2025 season on Saturday, May 17.

Fort Delaware, founded by former Sullivan County Historian James W. Burbank in 1957, and currently owned by Sullivan County, is located on the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway at 6615 Route 97. The Delaware Company has operated the Fort under a contractual agreement with the County since 2021.

Fort Delaware will be open on Saturdays and Sundays in May and June, and September and October. It is open Thursday through Sunday in July and August, and is also open Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. The Fort is open from 10am to 5pm with the last admission at 4pm.

After making major improvements last year to the Fort’s demonstration garden and the Apothecary, The Delaware Company is funding major improvements this season to the Black Dog Publick House, a typical colonial era tavern that would have also been used for town meetings, school, and church services. 

Debra Conway, the Executive Director of The Delaware Company, also announced that for the fourth consecutive year, Bold Gold Media will sponsor the speaker series at Fort Delaware. This year, which marks the kick-off of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American War for Independence, will see the Fort’s programming emphasizing the war years, and especially the newly discovered connection of General Benedict Arnold to the area.

The General, who became one of the most infamous traitors in American history when he denounced his commission and joined the British Army, and his father, a successful businessman from Norwich, CT, were among the original investors in the initial purchase of land along both sides of the Delaware River that became Cushetunk, the first permanent European settlement in the region.

“We are very excited to welcome Jack Kelly, author of the book, ‘God Save Benedict Arnold,’ and Matthew Reardon, author of ‘The Traitor’s Homecoming,’ among our presenters this year,” said John Conway, Sullivan County Historian and President of The Delaware Company. Mr. Kelly will present at the Fort on Saturday, June 14, and Mr. Reardon on Saturday, August 9. Both will have books to sell and sign during their respective programs.

A complete schedule of the Bold Gold Media Speaker Series programs at Fort Delaware will be published soon.