Battle of Saratoga

Saratoga Battlefield To Eliminate Entrance Fees

August 9, 2016 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Beginning November 1, 2016, Saratoga National Historical Park will no longer charge entrance fees for visiting the park.

After analyzing the costs and benefits of the recreational fee program, park leadership determined that it is in the best interest of both Saratoga NHP and the public to eliminate entrance charges according to a press release sent to the media. The current entrance fees for vehicles ($5), pedestrians and cyclists ($3), and the park annual pass ($10) will remain in place until November 1. [Read more…] about Saratoga Battlefield To Eliminate Entrance Fees

Saratoga and Hubbardton, 1777

March 9, 2016 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

Historians refer to the Battle of Saratoga as the turning point of the American Revolution.

They argue the patriot army’s defeat of British General John Burgoyne’s forces convinced the French to enter the War for Independence. Together, French and American forces cornered Charles, Earl Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781 and ended the war.

This is the quick version of Saratoga, but as we know, history is more complicated.

In this episode of the Ben Franklin’s World podcast, we explore the Saratoga Campaign of 1777 in more depth with Bruce M. Venter, author of The Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear Guard Action that Saved America (Arcadia, 2015). You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/071.

Battle of Saratoga Anniversary Encampment

September 8, 2015 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

As part of the 16th Annual Hudson River Valley Ramble, Saratoga National Historical Park will present a Commemorative Encampment marking the 238th anniversary of the world-changing Battle of Saratoga, Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, 2015. [Read more…] about Battle of Saratoga Anniversary Encampment

Free Admission to Saratoga Battlefield Tuesday

August 24, 2015 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The National Park Service is turning 99 years old on August 25, 2015 and everyone is getting a present – free admission!

Saratoga National Historical Park’s celebration on Tuesday features a Fort Ticonderoga Fife and Drums concert at noon, musket firings throughout the day and discounts in the museum bookstore. Also available is free entrance to drive or bicycle the scenic tour road and hike the historic trails. [Read more…] about Free Admission to Saratoga Battlefield Tuesday

The Battle of Diamond Island on Lake George

June 21, 2015 by Bruce Venter 2 Comments

Today it’s a State-owned island – a day use area for picnics – but Diamond Island witnessed a horrific bombardment by gun boats manned by Patriots during the American Revolution. The fight occurred during British Lieutenant General John Burgoyne’s 1777 campaign to capture Albany. Initially, Burgoyne’s 9,000 man army had successfully captured Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence in July.

When Burgoyne’s progress stalled near Skenesborough (present-day Whitehall, NY), his supplies were quickly eaten up by his extended campaign. Since his large army could not easily live off the land, except for shooting an occasional deer or bear, or boiling up a captured rattlesnake or turtle, the 54-year old general established a long supply line back to Canada.

It was anchored by Fort George at the southern end of Lake George and by Fort Ticonderoga at the northern end. Between the two forts, a supply depot, guarded by two companies of the 47th Regiment of Foot under Captain Thomas Aubrey was fixed on Diamond Island. [Read more…] about The Battle of Diamond Island on Lake George

A Revolutionary War Cemetery Reveals More Secrets

May 17, 2015 by Editorial Staff 2 Comments

An historical researcher studying the pension files of Revolutionary War veterans has identified a Maryland officer who died at the Fishkill Supply Depot and was buried in a long-abandoned Revolutionary War cemetery threatened by development.

In late 2007, an archaeological team rediscovered the cemetery on privately-owned land just south of the Van Wyck Homestead along U.S. Route 9. The Van Wyck Homestead served as the headquarters for what was George Washington’s principal supply depot during the Revolutionary War and is the site’s only remaining structure. [Read more…] about A Revolutionary War Cemetery Reveals More Secrets

Saratoga National Historical Park Launches Mobile App

May 5, 2015 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Saratoga National Historical Park has announced the launch of its new mobile app for smart phones and tablets. Starting April 2015, visitors using these portable computing devices will be able to use this app to enhance their park touring experience.

The app features content for over 30 points of interest, including images and an audio tour of the battlefield created by the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield. Visitors can also listen to a new Wilkinson Trail Hiking Tour, an immersive soundscape with two distinct tours, one for adults and a student-narrated one for children. The Wilkinson Trail tours were created by park rangers, volunteers, and students. Visitors can also discover points of interest with location-aware alerts and GPS-enabled maps. [Read more…] about Saratoga National Historical Park Launches Mobile App

Report: Saratoga Battlefield Adds $4.1M To Economy

April 24, 2015 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

A new National Park Service (NPS) report argues that 58,772 visitors to Saratoga National Historical Park (known locally as the Saratoga Battlefield) in 2014 spent $3,296,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported 50 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $4,168,300 according to the report’s authors.

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz. [Read more…] about Report: Saratoga Battlefield Adds $4.1M To Economy

Arnold Or Gates: Who Was The Hero of Saratoga?

April 7, 2015 by Editorial Staff 4 Comments

On Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 2 to 3 pm, the NYS Military Museum at 61 Lake Ave in Saratoga Springs will host a debate on an old question: Horatio Gates or Benedict Arnold…who is the real hero of the Battles of Saratoga?

National Park Rangers Joe Craig and Eric Schnitzer will present this structured discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of American Generals Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold and how each helped, or hindered, the American victory in the world-changing Battles of Saratoga, called the “most important battle of the last 1,000 years.” [Read more…] about Arnold Or Gates: Who Was The Hero of Saratoga?

‘Live Free Or Die’: The Life And Wars Of John Stark

January 25, 2015 by Editorial Staff 4 Comments

Few men contributed as much to the American victory in the Revolutionary War, yet have been as little recognized, as a New Hampshire farmer and lumberman by the name of John Stark. Although he is not well known outside of New Hampshire, a few words he wrote live on there today: Live Free or Die.

A biography by John F. Polhemus and Richard V. Polhemus, Stark, The Life and Wars of John Stark: French & Indian War Ranger, Revolutionary War General (Black Dome Press, 2014) help’s bring this remarkable man’s life into appropriate perspective. [Read more…] about ‘Live Free Or Die’: The Life And Wars Of John Stark