New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Schuyler House

French Attacks On Old Saratoga During King George’s War (1744-1748)

by Leave a Comment

Map of British and French fortifications during King George's War (Hartgen, 2004)During King George’s War (1744-1748), the primary military encounters in the Saratoga area were focused on the Schuyler estate and associated settlements and Fort Saratoga/Fort Clinton.

The most significant event was the November 1745 First Battle of Saratoga in which a force of French and Indian allies from Fort St. Frederic (at Crown Point) attacked the village, burning 30 houses, several mills, and the fort as well as killing, scalping, and capturing soldiers and residents. (You can read about that here.) [Read more…] about French Attacks On Old Saratoga During King George’s War (1744-1748)

1745: The First Battle of Saratoga

by Leave a Comment

Johannes Scuyler and his wife Elizabeth Staats Wendell Schuyler (New-York Historical Society)The First Battle of Saratoga took place during King George’s War (1744-1748) in November 1745. A force of French and Native allies set out from Fort St. Frederic at Crown Point to attack English colonies in either New England or Albany.

When deep snow made travel into New England impractical, they turned toward Old Saratoga, now known as Schuylerville in Saratoga County, NY (near where the 1777 Battles of Saratoga would later take place during the American Revolution). [Read more…] about 1745: The First Battle of Saratoga

Early Forts Near Old Saratoga: Some History

by 2 Comments

Fort Vrooman, Fort Saratoga and Fort Clinton historic sign in 2012 (photographed By Bill Coughlin)Many of the descriptions about fortifications in the Upper Hudson Valley, close to New France, were written by soldiers, travelers and settlers during the wars in the 18th century and into the 19th century.

Since many of the North American colonies were defended by Independent Companies, the regular English and, later, British armies had little direct influence on fortification designs, which created a high demand for the assistance of military engineers. [Read more…] about Early Forts Near Old Saratoga: Some History

Albany’s Philip Schuyler Statue Removed From City Hall

by 8 Comments

Philip Schuyler Statue being removed from Albany City Hall in June 2023A statue of Philip J. Schuyler (1733-1804) has been removed from outside of Albany’s City Hall. Mayor Kathy Sheehan ordered the statue removed in 2020 because Schuyler was a slaveholder. Sheehan said at the time that removing the statue was one way to acknowledge the enduring legacy of slavery. [Read more…] about Albany’s Philip Schuyler Statue Removed From City Hall

Battle of Saratoga Anniversary Events Throughout October

by Leave a Comment

saratoga national historic park courtesy wikimedia user UpstateNYerSaratoga National Historical Park in Saratoga County has announced a series of Battle of Saratoga Anniversary Commemoration Events scheduled for October 2022. This is the 245th  anniversary of the battles which changed the course of the American Revolution. [Read more…] about Battle of Saratoga Anniversary Events Throughout October

Schuyler House Opening June 10th

by Leave a Comment

General Philip Schuyler houseSaratoga National Historical Park preserves, protects, and interprets some 3,600 acre of sites associated with the battles, siege, and surrender of the British forces at Saratoga. The park encompasses five sites including the Saratoga Battlefield, General Philip Schuyler’s House, Victory Woods, the Saratoga Monument, and the Sword Surrender Site .

It was here in September and October 1777, during the American War for Independence, American troops battled and defeated the British invasion force. A British Army surrendered, for the first time in history, on October 17th, 1777. This crucial victory secured essential foreign recognition and support and boosted the morale of the American forces making it a decisive moment in the American Revolution. [Read more…] about Schuyler House Opening June 10th

Annual Candlelight Tour Set For Historic Schuyler House

by Leave a Comment

Schuyler house Candlelight TourThe Historic Schuyler House will hold their annual annual Candlelight Tour on Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 6 to 8 pm. Visitors will be able to walk the floors and hear the stories of the Schuyler family and their many visitors including George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.

Old Saratoga Historical Association hosts the annual Candlelight Tour of General Philip Schuyler’s 1777 country house. Their members will join park staff and volunteers to guide visitors on short tours throughout the evening. Light refreshments will be served. [Read more…] about Annual Candlelight Tour Set For Historic Schuyler House

Philip Schuyler: A Time to Remember

by 1 Comment

Philip Schuyler 1881A recent post on here on The New York Almanack previewed Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton events at the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site this month.

A recent article by Paul Grondahl, Director of the New York State Writer’s Institute, in the Albany Times Union noted that Schuyler Mansion is experiencing a spike in attendance due to the “Hamilton effect” – “a mysterious affliction created by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical that altered the lives of countless unsuspecting fans with a powerful history lesson embedded in hypnotic, rhyming lyrics and a hip-hop beat.”

It is notable that Hamilton, Schuyler’s son-in-law, who spent only a few years at Schuyler Mansion, is boosting popular attendance there. [Read more…] about Philip Schuyler: A Time to Remember

Bike Tour: Champlain Canal and Rev War Road to Saratoga

by

On Sunday August 12, enjoy a free 20-mile guided bicycle tour along the Champlain Canalway Trail between Hudson Crossing Park in Northumberland and Saratoga Battlefield in Stillwater.

This tour will take bikers past historic sites of interest related to the Revolutionary War and the Champlain Canal. Sites include Hudson Crossing Park, Champlain Canal Lock 5, the Schuyler House, the Champlain Canalway Towpath Trail and Saratoga National Historic Park. [Read more…] about Bike Tour: Champlain Canal and Rev War Road to Saratoga

18th-Century Day at the Historic Schuyler House

by 1 Comment

On Sunday, August 12 from noon to 5pm, the 1777 Schuyler House on Route 4 in Schuylerville, will be the setting for 18th Century Day, a free event with dozens of artisans demonstrating their crafts much as they were plied over 200 years ago when household items were handcrafted.

Visitors to the 34th annual 18th-Century Day will be able to enjoy free tours of the Schuyler House, listen to music of the period, see 18th-century Punch and Judy puppet shows, plus see artisans demonstrating 18th century crafts such as tinsmithing, blacksmithing, broom-making, knitting, rope-making, beer brewing, spinning, dyeing, soap making, butter-making, sheep shearing, and needlework. Also see colonial-era farm life activities such as discussions of farming methods, medicinal treatments and bee keeping.
This traditional event is organized by the Old Saratoga Historical Association, a non-profit educational organization that provides furnishings for the Schuyler House and promotes interest in the history of Old Saratoga, Schuylerville, Victory and the Town of Saratoga, from Native American occupation through present times.

Visitors are advised to dress for hot weather, bring water, and wear insect repellent and sunscreen. Free light refreshments will be available.