In this special episode, host Lauren Roberts, Chair of Saratoga 250, takes listeners back nearly a century to relive one of the most extraordinary public commemorations in American Revolutionary history—the 150th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga in 1927.

At a time when epic historical pageants captivated the public imagination, the 1927 celebration was nothing short of a spectacle. With a cast of over 7,000 costumed performers, a choir of 1,000, 3,000 soldiers in attendance, and an estimated 100,000 spectators, this momentous event stands as one of the largest gatherings in upstate New York history—surpassed perhaps only by Woodstock decades later.

Listeners will be immersed in the sheer scale and ambition of the event: Convention Hall in Saratoga Springs served as the only venue large enough to host rehearsals. Bleachers were built to accommodate thousands, yet filled so quickly that many attendees camped out on the battlefield and spread picnic blankets across the grassy hillsides to watch the reenactments and speeches from governors and international dignitaries from Great Britain, France, Canada, and Poland.

But beyond the fanfare and theatrical grandeur, this episode reveals something far more impactful: how this single commemorative event sparked a lasting legacy of historic preservation and public storytelling.

At the heart of the movement was George Slingerland, the passionate and persistent mayor of Mechanicville. Slingerland spent years advocating for the battlefield’s preservation—writing letters, securing funding, and organizing events that kept Saratoga’s significance in the national spotlight. His tireless efforts laid the foundation for what would eventually become Saratoga National Historical Park. Today, the Slingerland Room at the park’s visitor center stands as a testament to his dedication.

Through vivid storytelling and historical insight, Lauren illustrates how the 1927 pageant was more than a tribute to the past—it was a turning point for the future. It set in motion a new era of conservation and education, one that ensures the stories of Saratoga continue to inspire generations.

Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of public memory, or someone curious about how major anniversaries shape our sense of place, this episode offers a compelling look at how one community’s effort to remember became a nation’s commitment to preserve.

150th anniversary

Lauren Roberts

In this powerful and emotional episode, historian and host Lauren Roberts guides listeners through the extraordinary and little-known story of Baroness Frederica Charlotte Louise von Massow Riedesel—an aristocratic Prussian woman who defied fear, convention, and distance to follow her husband into the heart of the American Revolutionary War.

At just 30 years old, the Baroness made a bold and terrifying choice: to cross the ocean with her three small children, including a newborn, to stay by her husband’s side as he commanded the German troops fighting for the British during the Saratoga campaign. Her story, captured in her personal journal, provides one of the most vivid and human portraits of wartime life—not from the perspective of a soldier, but from a mother, wife, and witness to history.

This episode unpacks her motivations, fears, and courage as she journeys from Prussia to Canada, and then deep into upstate New York, into the brutal and chaotic world of 18th-century military life. Despite being warned of savages, starvation, and language barriers, Frederica pressed forward. Her diary reveals both the physical hardships and emotional weight of traveling through unfamiliar territory—while managing the constant needs and safety of her young children.

Listeners will be transported to the tense and tragic moments of the Battle of Saratoga, where the Baroness finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the role of caregiver and comforter to dying soldiers. One of the most haunting scenes she recounts is when the mortally wounded General Simon Fraser is brought into the very dining room where she and her children had been waiting for supper.

After the British defeat, Frederica’s account takes another extraordinary turn. Now a prisoner of war, she describes her trepidation upon entering the American camp—only to be met with empathy and grace. The American General Philip Schuyler personally welcomes her, lifts her children from the carriage, and shows kindness at a time when she expected hostility. This act of humanity leaves a lasting impression on the Baroness and is a powerful reminder of dignity amid war.

Through vivid excerpts from her diary and expert narrative, Lauren brings this chapter of Revolutionary War history to life—highlighting how a woman of strength, intelligence, and deep maternal love endured the unthinkable and recorded it for future generations.

If you’ve never heard of the Baroness, this episode will leave you in awe of her bravery and grateful for her voice. Her words transcend time, revealing the hidden toll of war and the unwavering resolve of a mother who chose duty, love, and sacrifice over safety and comfort.

Elizabeth-Fisher-Memoir

Lauren Roberts

In honor of Women’s History Month, this episode of Saratoga Revolutionary Spotlight highlights Elizabeth Munro Fisher, a loyalist woman who lived through the dramatic events of the 1777 Northern Campaign during the American Revolution. Anne Clothier shares Fisher’s story, drawn from her rare and powerful memoir—one of the few firsthand female accounts from the period.

Elizabeth’s life was upended when American riflemen raided her home in Washington County due to her family’s loyalty to the British Crown. Forced out with her infant, she watched as her home was looted and burned. She then undertook a grueling 22-mile journey on foot, carrying her child to reach the British camp led by General Burgoyne.

Her memoir recounts both the surprising access to goods in the British encampment and the stark hardships that followed—especially during the siege leading up to Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga. Elizabeth described food scarcity, freezing temperatures, and a tragic moment when a cannonball destroyed a communal soup kettle she had paid to prepare.

After the British defeat, Elizabeth was permitted to travel to Canada with other loyalists, eventually reuniting with her father and arriving in Montreal after an arduous journey by boat and foot in November snow.

This deeply personal narrative highlights the underrepresented voices of women—especially loyalist women—in Revolutionary War history. Roberts and Clothier emphasize the importance of preserving and sharing such stories through living history, research, and public storytelling.

Elizabeth-Fisher-Memoir

Photos: https://www.nps.gov/sara/learn/historyculture/elizabeth-munro-fisher.htm

Lauren Roberts

In this episode of the Saratoga Revolutionary Spotlight podcast, Saratoga County Historian & Saratoga 250 Chair, Lauren Roberts, speaks with Walt Adams to discuss Lady Harriet Acland, a British officer’s wife who accompanied her husband during the American Revolution.

This episode focuses on Lady Harriet Acland, a British woman who traveled to North America with her husband, a British Army officer during the American Revolution. The episode, narrated by Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian, highlights Harriet’s remarkable journey and experiences during the Saratoga campaign of 1777.

Harriet traveled from England to Canada and journeyed through upstate New York. After her husband was injured, she joined him on campaign. A tent fire incident left both her and her husband wounded. During the Battle of Bemis Heights, her husband was captured, prompting Harriet to seek permission from General Burgoyne to cross enemy lines to care for him. She successfully reunited with her husband, who survived his wounds. As prisoners of war, they were hosted by the Schuyler family, showcasing American hospitality despite the British burning their estate.

Key points include:

• Harriet followed her husband, Major John Acland, through the military campaign
• She experienced several dramatic events, including a tent fire that nearly killed them
• During the Battle of Bemis Heights, her husband was wounded and taken prisoner
• Pregnant and determined, she successfully negotiated passage through enemy lines to find her husband
• After Burgoyne’s surrender, the Aclands were housed by the Schuyler family in Albany
• Her story is documented through her own journal and accounts by her friend, Baroness de Radez

The podcast emphasizes Harriet’s courage, resilience, and the unique experiences of women following armies during the American Revolution, showcasing her as more than just a typical camp follower.

Photos: https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2024/07/lady-acland-battle-of-saratoga/

Lauren Roberts

Guest: Thomas Tringale, Living Historian

In the premiere episode of the Saratoga Revolutionary Spotlight podcast, Saratoga County Historian & Saratoga 250 Chair, Lauren Roberts, speaks with living historian Tom Tringale about the opening shots of the American Revolution—and what they still mean 250 years later.

Tom recounts the rising tensions in colonial Massachusetts leading up to April 19, 1775, when British troops marched toward Concord to seize hidden military supplies. What followed—skirmishes on Lexington Green and the iconic confrontation at North Bridge—ignited a daylong battle involving thousands of local militiamen and civilians, marking the official start of the Revolutionary War.

Listeners will also get a preview of the upcoming 250th anniversary reenactment of Battle Road, a large-scale living history event featuring nearly 900 participants. Tom shares what it’s like to walk in the footsteps of his own hometown militia from Billerica, and how these reenactments help keep lesser-known stories alive—from loyalist guides and civilian evacuees to the emotional toll on families caught in the chaos.

Whether you’re a lifelong history buff or someone revisiting these events for the first time since grade school, this episode offers a compelling blend of historical insight and personal connection.

Lauren Roberts