Author: Kelsey S

UPCOMING EVENTS

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive

Keep America’s Turning Point alive for generations to come by making a tax-deductible donation to the Campaign for Saratoga 250, Inc. Our certified 501c3 nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting awareness, education, and preservation of critical assets of the Battles of Saratoga. Your support will help promote historical awareness of new generations of people across the region, nation, and globe.

SNHP Fall Series Picturing History: A Primer for Understanding Fine Art during the Era of the American Revolution

Written by Kelsey S on October 2, 2024. Posted in Events, Past Events.

OCT

SNHP Fall Series Picturing History: A Primer for Understanding Fine Art during the Era of the American Revolution

October 31, 2024

URL has been copied successfully!

This program explores the different forms of two-dimensional 18th century artwork media, spurs awareness of pitfalls, and investigates shocking deceptions related to Revolutionary War drawings and paintings. Presenter Eric Schnitzer is a park ranger at Saratoga National Historical Park.

Event Details

Reservations
Reservations required by emailing sara_reservations@nps.gov
Start Time
6:30pm
Speakers
Eric Schnitzer, Park Ranger & Military Historian

Additional Information

Historians have traditionally shown surprisingly little interest in the artworks related to their periods of study. This is not to say that artworks are ignored – history books are often replete with period pictures meant to showcase the themes discussed in print. Unfortunately, these artworks are often poorly chosen or are little more than an afterthought.

This program explores the different forms of 2-dimentional 18th century artwork media, spurs awareness of pitfalls, and investigates shocking deceptions related to Revolutionary War drawings and paintings. Presenter Eric Schnitzer is a park ranger at Saratoga National Historical Park.

Reservations are required by emailing sara_reservations@nps.gov. Please include the date of the program you wish to attend.

The Fall Lecture Series is presented with support from the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive

1780 Invasion Kiosk Opening

Written by Kelsey S on October 2, 2024. Posted in Events, Past Events.

OCT

1780 Invasion Kiosk Opening

October 26, 2024

Trieble Park

America’s Revolution in Upstate NY went well past the Saratoga Campaign in 1777. Join Reps from the Towns of Milton and Ballston, and Saratoga County, and members of the Saratoga Chapters of the DAR and SAR with Revolutionary War Reenactors at the open of this heritage site.

URL has been copied successfully!

Event Details

Start Time
11:00am
Location
Trieble Park Corner Rt 67 & Middleline Rd, NY
Living Historians
American and British Reenactors

Additional Information

Join Mike Companion and local living historians and local representatives at the new kiosk commemorating the 1780 invasion. Learn more about the Revolutionary era beyond the Saratoga Campaign of 1777 in the then Saratoga area of the Albany District.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive

SNHP Fall Series Inheriting the Revolution: Antebellum African American Pathways in Saratoga County

Written by Kelsey S on October 2, 2024. Posted in Events, Past Events.

OCT

SNHP Fall Series Inheriting the Revolution: Antebellum African American Pathways in Saratoga County

October 24, 2024

Saratoga National Historical Park Visitor Center

URL has been copied successfully!

How did the American Revolution affect African Americans in Old Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, and their environs? Discover the major avenues they pursued in the early national period and in the years prior to the Civil War as they sought to build lives in the new nation.

Event Details

Reservations
Reservations required by email to sara_reservations@nps.gov
Start Time
6:30pm
Location
Saratoga National Historical Park Visitor Center 648 NY-32, Stillwater, NY
Speaker
Dr. Myra Armstead, “Lyford Paterson Edwards and Helen Gray Edwards Professor of Historical Studies Emerita at Bard College.”

Additional Information

How did the American Revolution affect African Americans in Old Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, and their environs? Discover the major avenues they pursued in the early national period and in the years prior to the Civil War as they sought to build lives in the new nation. Presented by Dr. Myra Armstead, the Lyford Paterson Edwards and Helen Gray Edwards Professor of Historical Studies Emerita at Bard College.

Reservations are required by emailing sara_reservations@nps.gov. Please include the date of the program you wish to attend. The Fall Lecture Series is presented with support from the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive

Victory Season at Saratoga: Guided “Surrender Tour” with Pat Niles

Written by Kelsey S on October 2, 2024. Posted in Events, Past Events.

OCT

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONSITE
Victory Season at Saratoga: Guided “Surrender Tour” with Pat Niles

October 17, 2024

Gateway Visitor Center

URL has been copied successfully!

Embark on a journey from the stunning new Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center in Schuylerville where a national “American Revolutionary Experience” by the DAR & American Battlefield Trust is on a limited temporary display. Enjoy a carefully curated bus tour, narrated by local guide & historian, Pat Niles.

Event Details

Location
Gateway Visitor Center 30 Ferry Street, Schuylerville, NY
Speakers
Pat Niles, “President of Washington County Historical Society, Co-Chair Washington County 250th Committee, Trustee Lake George Battlefield Alliance, President of Adirondack Hudson Military Expeditions, LLC. Saratoga Battlefield Official Guide. “

Additional Information

Embark on a journey from the stunning new Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center in Schuylerville, returning there at 3:30pm EST.

Arrive early to see the national “American Revolutionary Experience” by the DAR & American Battlefield Trust. It is here on a limited temporary display through October 27, 2024.

Enjoy a carefully curated bus tour, narrated by certified guide & historian, Pat Niles. Explore some of the historic sites in the pivotal victory at Saratoga in 1777 including Saratoga National Historical Park stops and other community historic sites central to the Siege at Saratoga that were instrumental in forcing British General Burgoyne’s surrender leading to America’s Turning Point in her War for Independence.

Act fast. Limited spots available! Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center

“SURRENDER TOUR” DETAILS:

The tour will starts & ends at the Gateway Visitor Center, Schuylerville, NY.
Stop 9 @ Saratoga NHP, the Great Redoubt to discuss the beginning of the end for the Burgoyne Campaign.
The story of Lady Acland, Route 4 stop.
Schuyler House to discuss Burgoyne on October 9^th and 10^th.
The tour will travel down Broadway to discuss positioning of British Forces.
A view of the Marshall House from Route 32 to discuss Lady Riedesel and the siege.
Up Stark Knob and the “corking of the bottle,” American siege of the British.
Travel the siege lines around the British Army.
Fifth stop, Saratoga Monument, the British position on the hill, and Victory Woods.
Sixth stop, the Surrender Site and the story of negotiations and final surrender.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive

Victory Season “Surrender Day” Benefit, presented with SPAC & Friends of Saratoga Springs Library

Written by Kelsey S on October 2, 2024. Posted in Events, Past Events.

OCT

Victory Season “Surrender Day” Benefit, presented with SPAC & Friends of Saratoga Springs Library

October 17, 2024

SPAC Spa Little Theater at Saratoga State Park

URL has been copied successfully!

Victory at Saratoga in 1777 halted the British Empire’s advance, saving America’s fight for freedom altering world history. It was the first ever surrender of a British Army marking America’s Turning Point. Join us at this benefit celebrating victory on the anniversary day the General Burgoyne’s surrender to American General Gates.

Event Registration

Event Details

Start Time
6:00pm, Living historians, music, Saratoga 250 overview & presentation by award-winning author, Dr. Kevin Weddle, US Army Colonel (Ret.)
Location
SPAC Spa Little Theater at Saratoga State Park 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Additional Information

Join our 1st Annual Victory Series at Saratoga “Surrender Day” Benefit. Celebrate & Help Preserve the Victory at Saratoga’s Revolutionary Legacy!

Presentations to engage both newcomers, history buffs, and readers of the Award-winning book, “The Compleat Victory, Saratoga and the American Revolution,”
Featuring:
- remarks by distinguished author, US Army War College historian, and service combat engineer veteran, Dr. Kevin J Weddle, US Army Colonel (Ret). He is a USMA West Point graduate who served honorably in Desert Shield, Desert Storm & Operation Enduring Freedom. Dr. Weddle’s book is recipient of the prestigious Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize, the Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award, and The Society of the Cincinnati Prize
- copies of the book, The Compleat Victory available for purchase with tickets
- presentation by Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian, Chair of the Saratoga 250 Commission, and appointee to the NYS 250th Commission. Lauren is also a co-host of the award winning podcast, “A New York Minute in History.”
- Revolutionary era Reenactors and America’s Turning Point augmented reality exhibits to see ways we will bring Saratoga’s history to life.
- Enjoy Americana musical performances by local students.
Program runs 6:30 – 7:45pm. Questions and answer with Dr. Weddle to follow.
All proceeds benefit Campaign for Saratoga 250 & Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library

WHY WE CELEBRATE VICTORY AT SARATOGA:

Saratoga. Marked the first-ever surrender in history of an army of the mighty British Empire.

Saratoga. General Washington gave thanks to Providence upon hearing of the victory at the second battle here. A needed, decisive victory to turn the tide, just as the capital of Philadelphia was falling to British hands and New York City was under continued occupation.

Saratoga. Congress proclaimed the first ever national Thanksgiving, celebrated in December 1777, in part due to its turning point victory here.

Saratoga. Benjamin Franklin leveraged it to cinch his years long diplomacy reaching a treaty of military alliance with France to recognize our young nation & enter the war. Later he minted a coin with Saratoga’s 1777 victory on one side, Yorktown’s 1781 victory nearly four years to the day on the other.

Saratoga. The 1821 renowned surrender scene painted by John Trumbull is one of only four portraits hung in prominence in the United States Capitol rotunda. Evidence of its centuries long significance as the turning point in America’s revolutionary fight for freedom.

Saratoga has been a beacon throughout history of hope, triumph, and a forceful turning point for freedom altering the course of world events. Generations have written of it, been inspired to create art, build monuments, preserve the hallowed ground of its patriots, commission warships, and more. Now, we will bring its inspired history forward to new generations of Americans and freedom seekers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive

Victory Season at Saratoga: Surrender Day Ceremony

Written by Kelsey S on October 2, 2024. Posted in Events, Past Events.

OCT

Victory Season at Saratoga: Surrender Day Ceremony

October 17, 2024

Historic Fort Hardy Park overlooking the picturesque Hudson River

URL has been copied successfully!

The British defeat at Saratoga forced the first ever surrender by a British Army in history. Its news buoyed General Washington & America’s fight for freedom leading to formal alliance with France. Join area students celebrating the spirit of Saratoga & preserve the importance of Saratoga’s victory for generations!

Photos: Tom Stock photography

Event Details

In the event of inclement weather, this outdoor event will be canceled.
Start Time
10:00am
Location
Historic Fort Hardy Park overlooking the picturesque Hudson River, Schuylerville 12871
Living Historians
See Re enactors simulate General Burgoyne’s sword surrender to General Gates.

Additional Information

Stand in the footsteps of history this October 17^th , Surrender Day, at Fort Hardy Park. Head to the picturesque area directly fronting the Hudson River just off Route 29 in the Village of Schuylerville, NY.

This 247^th anniversary of the British surrender at Saratoga continues to mark America’s Turning Point in its War for Independence. British General John Burgoyne’s agreement to ground their arms with American General Horatio Gates was the decisive turning point victory of the American Revolution securing France’s formal military alliance.

The Surrender Day Ceremony includes:

live cannon firing & military reenactors,
sing-along participation from local students & teachers,
historical stories, and
a recreation of the famous sword surrender.

Please bring your own chair. This is an outdoor ceremony, in the event of inclement weather, the event will be canceled.

Photo Credits: Tom Stock photography

UPCOMING EVENTS

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive

Victory Season at Saratoga: DAR Interactive American Revolution Experience

Written by Kelsey S on October 2, 2024. Posted in Events, Past Events.

OCT

Victory Season at Saratoga: DAR Interactive American Revolution Experience

October 13–27, 2024

Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center

URL has been copied successfully!

The Saratoga Chapter of the DAR is hosting the “American Revolution Experience,” a collaborative project of the American Battlefield Trust & the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The interactive exhibit highlights the experiences of ordinary, diverse Americans & the choices they made leading up to & through the Revolutionary War.

are-social-rec-f
are-social-rec-f
are-social-rec-f
are-social-rec-f
are-social-rec-e
are-social-rec-d

Event Details

Location

Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center, 30 Ferry Street, Schuylerville, NY

Additional Information

The Saratoga Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) is excited that they will be hosting in Schuylerville the American Revolution Experience (ARE), a special collaboration with the American Battlefield Trust. The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences of all ages and backgrounds with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation.

The American Revolution Experience will be accessible at the Champlain Canal Corridor Gateway Visitors Center in Schuylerville, NY this October 14th through October 27th.

[Hours of operation: 10am – 1pm Mon – Fri, 11am – 4pm Sat & Sun]

Its timing will enhance the America’s Turning Point “Victory at Saratoga Season” events celebrating the areas Revolutionary heritage. Including the 247th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga that occurred on September 19th and October 7th, resulting in a 10-day siege of the British forces and the historic, first-ever surrender by a British Army on October 17, 1777.

Daughters of the American Revolution
American_Battlefield_Trust_Logo

The American Revolution Experience invites visitors to consider the choice faced by members of the revolutionary generation as tensions mounted in the 1770s: Would these ordinary citizens risk their lives and livelihoods in pursuit of liberty? Or would they remain loyal subjects of the British crown, coming into conflict with neighbors and family? The exhibit surfaces diverse viewpoints and experiences, touching on the journeys — both literal and figurative — of Patriots and Loyalists, men and women, Black and Native populations and even international allies. Rather than focusing only on generals and famous statesmen, it introduces audiences to drummer boys, military mapmakers and other ordinary people who were impacted by global events.

Created through a collaboration between the American Battlefield Trust and the National D.A.R., the exhibit is also made possible by generous matching funds from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program battlefield interpretation grants.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive

A Loyalist Widow’s Plea to England

Written by Kelsey S on October 1, 2024. Posted in Untold Stories.

A Loyalist Widow’s Plea to England

Loyalist Widow & Mother Desperately Appeals to England for Relief.

URL has been copied successfully!

Mary McAlpin and her husband Major Daniel McAlpin purchased a 600-acre estate on the west side of Saratoga Lake in 1773. Two years later, local militia asked McAlpin to train their soldiers. He refused to become involved, was jailed multiple times in Albany, and eventually escaped and joined Burgoyne’s army at Fort Edward.

While her husband was in jail, Mary McAlpin stayed at home with her three children. The McAlpin home was placed under guard by local Patriots, who felt free to use the home as their own. In May of 1777, the Albany Committee of Safety ordered the McAlpin family from their home. They were brought first to Stillwater and then to Albany. Penniless and without proper clothing, the family relied on friends to provide food and shelter.

After the War for Independence, Mary McAlpin applied for reparations from the British government for their losses. Her husband had died in Canada during the war and she was now a widow with children to support. Her claim included 900 acres on Saratoga Lake. The property was one among 13 belonging to Loyalist families in what is now Saratoga County that had been seized by the State of New York after the war.

“In memory of the most brilliant soldier of the Continental Army who was desperately wounded on this spot, the sally port of Burgoyne’s great [western] redoubt 7th October 1777 winning for his countrymen the decisive battle of the American Revolution and for himself the rank of Major General.”

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive

The War Diary of a Baroness

Written by Kelsey S on October 1, 2024. Posted in Untold Stories.

The War Diary of a Baroness

In her “Memoir of a Hessian Officer’s Wife,” a baroness and wife of a Hessian commander fighting for the British provides a unique a glimpse into the daily life, struggles and triumphs of a woman living in a war-torn land.

URL has been copied successfully!

Baroness Frederika Charlotte Louise Riedesel, or simply Baroness von Riedesel, was the wife of a Hessian commander who fought on the side of the British. During the war, she accompanied her husband to North America, making her one of the few European women to witness up close the American Revolution and, in particular, the Battles of Saratoga.

As her husband commanded troops in the campaign, the Baroness found herself caught in the midst of the fighting. She became known for her remarkable resilience and resourcefulness, acting as a nurse and caring for wounded soldiers from both sides.

The Baroness documented her experiences in a detailed journal, providing valuable insights into the social and military aspects of the time. Her journal, known as the “Memoir of a Hessian Officer’s Wife,” offers a unique perspective on the war and provides a glimpse into the daily life, struggles and triumphs of a woman living in a war-torn land.

Baroness Riedesel’s story provides a unique and compelling perspective on the Revolutionary War, its direct impact on women and children encamped with armed forces, and their experiences as prisoners of war.

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Keep America’s Turning Point Alive