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OCT

22

Fall Lecture Series: Morgan Lewis: The Making of a Patriot

Saratoga National Historical Park Visitor Center

October 22, 2026

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The chill in the air can only mean one thing—it’s time for lectures! Saratoga National Historical Park and the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield will soon welcome a series of distinguished scholars and historians for its annual Fall Lecture Series. These speakers will discuss a variety of topics to help us examine and better understand our shared histories as we mark the 250th anniversaries of the Revolutionary War and the founding of the United States. Reservations are required and may be made by emailing SARA_reservations@nps.gov.
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Morgan Lewis is an often-overlooked figure of the American Revolution but one who was at the center of some of the most pivotal moments in the formation of America.  The son of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, he defined a generation of young officers who, despite their youth and inexperience, brought tenacity and intellect that was the foundation for victory. His story is a far more complex and colorful narrative that provides a view into many aspects of life during the American Revolution and the early republic. From Princeton student to Quartermaster-General of the Northern Department during the War, to eventually serving as Governor of New York. We’ll explore his extraordinary life and a future that was defined by the Battle of Saratoga.

Presenter TR Hamilton is the Director of Preservation & Collections at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield, CT which includes the home of America’s first diplomat Silas Deane.  He holds a BA in historic preservation from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA and an MS in conservation architecture from the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, UK. He has over twenty years of experience working with historic sites in the United States and United Kingdom with a focus on the built environment and material culture of the 17th to early 20th centuries.

Support for the Fall Lecture Series is provided by Friends of Saratoga Battlefield. Reservations are required due to limited space. Email SARA_Reservations@nps.gov to reserve your seat!
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UPCOMING EVENTS

Revolutionary Run for Veterans at Fort Hardy Park

Saratoga250 will have a presence at the Saratoga County Revolutionary Run for Veterans, a 5k run at Fort Hardy Park which benefits Saratoga County Veterans.

Celebrating the 250th: Battles of Saratoga @250 Reenactments

Watch history come alive at the 250th Battles of Saratoga Reenactment. Two days of live muskets and maneuvers, October 9–10, 2027 in Saratoga, NY.

Celebrating the 250th: Turning Point Parade 2027

Join the Turning Point Parade marking 250 years since the Surrender at Saratoga. October 17, 2027, 10am in Schuylerville, NY.

Fall Lecture Series: Illuminating Lives: The Stories of Several Women During the American War for Independence

Using a variety of archival sources and research techniques, Saratoga National Historical Park Curator Christine Valosin will talk about six different women with ties to the Schuyler family or estate, illuminating little known stories of their lives during the turbulent years of the American War for Independence.

Fall Lecture Series: When the Declaration of Independence Was News

Published for the 250th anniversary of the United States, When the Declaration of Independence Was News focuses on the nation’s founding document at the moment of its creation in 1776, before anyone knew what the legacy of the Declaration would be or if the United States would win the war against Great Britain.

Fall Lecture Series: Did the Battle of Redbank bring France into the War of Independence?

Americans generally assume that the surrender of Sir John Burgoyne to General Horatio Gates at Saratoga on 17 October 1777 caused France to openly enter the American War of Independence. The American leadership interpreted the defeat at Saratoga within their military and political needs. Saratoga was of great military importance, an immense morale booster and extensively used for propaganda purposes. But France’s decision to join the American rebels came after years of preparation and was by no means monocausal.

Fall Lecture Series: They Were Good Soldiers: African Americans Serving in the Continental Army

The role of African Americans, free and enslaved, in the regiments of the Continental Army is not well-known; neither is the fact that relatively large numbers served in southern regiments and that the greatest number served alongside their white comrades in integrated units. John Rees will discuss black soldiers’ acceptance, service, and experiences during and after the War for American Independence, focusing on those who served in Continental regiments. African American women with the army will also be featured.

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      Keep America’s Turning Point Alive  icon-star-red

    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.

    Learn More