Fort William Henry Museum

A 1954 Reproduction of the Original Fort William Henry built from a copy of the original plans provided by the British Museum.

The French and Indian War (1755-1763) was the extension of the Seven Years War in Europe between England and France. It involved people on three continents and the Caribbean and is considered by many to the true first world war.

In 1750s, the area north of Albany was primarily a vast wilderness. The English built a large fortress at “The Great Carrying Place” on the Hudson River. This would become Fort Edward. When garrisoned, it would also become the third largest settlement in North America behind Philadelphia and New York. The French settled in territory north of the St. Lawrence River and into what would become western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Thus, the stage was set for these two great powers to clash over land, furs and trade in this northern territory.