Drums Along the Mohawk

History comes alive

This outdoor drama is staged in the summer in an amphitheater structure on the Gelston Castle Estate property in Mohawk, the geographic epicenter of the Drums Along the Mohawk storyline. Once on the production site premises, visitors can easily envision these events taking place over 235 years ago. 

Drums Along the Mohawk is adapted from a historical novel of the same name, by Boonville native Walter Edmonds. Published in 1936, it was made into a feature film in 1939 directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda and Claudette Colberte.

The story focuses on a pivotal year: 1777. It tells through vivid characterizations the reasons behind the famous Battle of Oriskany, commonly known as the bloodiest battle of the American Revolution. 

At a glance
  • One third of all Revolutionary War battles were fought on New York State soil.