Historical News and Views from the Empire State
The National Park Service today announced the suspension of operations at Saratoga National Historical Park (NHP), effective Wednesday, March 18.
All facilities and buildings at the Battlefield Unit and Schuylerville Site are closed. The grounds are open sunrise to sunset and to be used at your own risk as there is no emergency staff on site. [Read more…] about Saratoga Battlefield Visitor Center Closure
Dr. Albert Zambone is set to give a presentation on how Daniel Morgan helped secure the victory at the Battles of Saratoga, on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 2 pm at Saratoga National Historical Park.
By the end of his life, Daniel Morgan had variously been brigadier general of the Continental Army, major general of the Virginia Militia, a winner of the Congressional Gold Medal, a congressman, and architect of what has been called the “American Cannae” (a type of pincer military maneouvre) at the battle of Cowpens. But one of the most important achievements was to be one of the many architects of the victory at Saratoga. [Read more…] about Daniel Morgan and the Victory at Saratoga
David Preston is set to give a talk on the Battles of Saratoga on Saturday, September 22, 2018, from 1 to 3 pm at the Saratoga Town Hall in Schuylerville.
The Saratoga National Historical Park funded this project using untapped resource material and a fresh look at the archival records. This more advanced study of colonial borderland and conflicts at Saratoga from 1650-1777 broaden understanding of the context of the 1777 campaign, battles, siege and surrender at Saratoga, and develop historical background information on the dominance and significance of the Schuyler family. [Read more…] about Colonial Saratoga: War and Peace on the Borderlands
Saratoga National Historical Park is set to host Of Skulls and Skeletons: Military Burial Practices and Battlefield Clean-Up along the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail, presented by Robert A. Selig, Ph. D. on August 19, 2018 at 1 pm.
Battlefield clean-up is a topic rarely covered by modern historians yet following almost any military engagement, there are corpses to dispose of. [Read more…] about Military Burial Practices and Battlefield Clean-Up
This week on The Historians podcast, Eric Schnitzer, a park ranger/historian at Saratoga National Historical Park, discusses the German soldiers, commonly called Hessians, who fought for the British in the northern campaign of the American Revolution in 1777. Schnitzer was one of the speakers at a conference in June sponsored by the Fort Plain Museum. [Read more…] about German Soldiers in the American Revolution (Podcast)
An Army Trades Weekend has been set for Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15 from 10 am to 4 pm, at Saratoga National Historic Park.
In the Revolutionary War, armies employed a variety of professional tradesmen and women who worked to provide and repair supplies needed by the troops. Blacksmiths made or fixed ironwork; tailors and seamstress sewed and repaired clothing; Woodworkers built barrels, carriages, and wheels; Tinsmiths made artillery cartridge casings; Armorers repaired muskets; Cordwainers made military accoutrements and shoes for the troops. [Read more…] about Army Trades Weekend at Saratoga National Historical Park
Saratoga National Historical Park is set to celebrate National Park Week from April 21-29, with several events and programs.
Saturday, April 21 from 10 am to 4 pm will celebrate kids on Jr. Ranger Day. Children and their families can join in a variety of free, hands-on activities including a touch table with animal skins and skulls, talk to a real wildland firefighter, run in a relay race, dress up in a uniform, or complete a Junior Ranger activity book. Children will earn their free Junior Ranger badge by participating. [Read more…] about National Park Week At Saratoga Battlefield
Saratoga National Historical Park has announced their Winter 100 Mile Challenge, the public is invited to snowshoe, ski, or hike the parks trails and try to accumulate 100 miles at the battlefield between now and April 30, 2018.
Through this challenge people can enjoy the rich natural and cultural heritage of this local site as they explore their national park.
Anyone can take part in this challenge, human and canine. To complete this challenge, each participating pet must hike 100 miles in the park with their human companion, following park pet policies. [Read more…] about Saratoga Battlefield 100 Mile Challenge
The Tour Road through Saratoga National Historical Park will be closed through Friday, August 25, 2017 for resurfacing and again Tuesday, August 29 for surface repairs. This is part of a routine cyclic maintenance project in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration.
The project is focusing on all major bridges and culverts in the park, specifically the bridges and culverts on the Entrance Road and the pier bridge on the Tour Road. Please use caution when driving on the Entrance Road for the next month. [Read more…] about Saratoga Battlefield Tour Road Closure
Saratoga National Historical Park is hosting an Army Trades Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, July 15-16, 2017.
Armies in the American Revolution were towns on the move and included important craftsmen like blacksmiths, carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, and tinsmiths. These tradesmen and women kept armies clothed, and repaired vital items needed in the fight for freedom. [Read more…] about Army Trades Weekend at Saratoga National Historical Park