Take a Road Trip 25 miles Away and 250 Years Back in Time

The Post Star – Take a road trip 25 miles away and 250 years back in time

By: Alex Portal

Thursday, April 25, 2024

SARATOGA SPRINGS – PBS TV host Darley Newman spent time in Saratoga Springs and nearby areas in September, 2023, filming an episode of her new series, “Travels with Darley: Revolutionary Road Trips,” where she visits towns up and down the east coast with significant ties to the American Revolution.

“One of the reasons we really wanted to have Saratoga in the first season is because of the rich history, the significance to the Revolutionary War era,” Newman said in a video greeting shown before a special screening of the episode, Monday, April 22.

“You can’t not go to Saratoga to tell this story,” she said in the clip played at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga County Historian Lauren Roberts welcomed guests and thanked all of the community members and business-owners who participated in the filming.

In addition to the Saratoga Battlefield and historic sites, the episode highlights local businesses including Adirondack Trust Co., Caffe Lena, Hatsational, Hattie’s, Impressions, Morrisey’s, Olde Bryan Inn, Revolutionary Rail, Saratoga Apple, Saratoga Arms, Saratoga Tea and Honey, Stewart’s, and Walt and Whitman.

Roberts promised that the 25-minute, mini documentary was just one of the opening salvos in a years-long campaign to bring the Battles of Saratoga to the forefront of America’s 250th anniversary celebration.

“In 2021 the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors recognized the importance of commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution,” Roberts explained. “And particularly the Battles of Saratoga in 2027.”

The county formed the Saratoga 250 Commission, and its partner group, Campaign for Saratoga 250, Inc.

“The goals are educating the public on the important role that the Saratoga area played as the turning point of the American Revolution, increasing heritage tourism in Saratoga County by promoting our revolutionary era sites and stories, and finally, by supporting historic preservation and improving infrastructure around our historic sites,” Roberts explained.

The Battles of Saratoga and subsequent surrender of British Gen. John Burgoyne to American forces has come to be known as the turning point for the American Revolution.

Local and state-wide dignitaries joined the crowd during Monday’s presentation.

U.S. Rep Paul Tonko (Saratoga Springs) recalled an anecdote from his orientation at Williamsburg Virginia when he first became a congress member, impressing the instructor with his knowledge of early colonial history.

“He asked the crowd of newly elected congress members, who knew how far west someone could go at this time, and I said, ‘Schenectady,’ and he said, ‘very good.’ So I quickly became the star of the class, and then I said, ‘specifically the stockade,’ he goes, ‘that’s excellent, what do you represent, what area,’ and I said, ‘… Schenectady,’” Tonko recalled with a smile. “He quickly responded to my exchange with him and he said, ‘ladies and gentlemen, that member represents the most historic area of our country.’” He added to a rousing applause.

In the summer of 1777, with the British already in control of New York City, the plan was for Burgoyne to invade from the north, marching from Canada and joining additional British forces just north of Albany to take the city, securing New York State as a British stronghold.

But that is not how history played out.

Thanks to the strategic acumen and battle savvy of early American heroes such as sharp-shooter, Daniel Morgan; engineer, Tadeusz Kosciuszko; and – at the time – Gen. Benedict Arnold, Burgoyne’s troops were cut off from the rendezvous and the British general was forced to surrender his sword on Oct. 17. 1777.

Burgoyne’s supplication marked the first time in history a British army had surrendered to an enemy force. It also convinced French King, Louis XVI to join America’s fight, which was the financial and tactical shot in the arm Washington and his men needed, ultimately cinching the victory for the Continental Army.

“That’s our job: to carry on their legacy and what they accomplished,” Saratoga County Board of Supervisors chair, Phillip Barrett said during Monday’s event. “We have many different municipalities of different make-ups and sizes. But what we all share is a deep appreciation for history, a deep appreciation for those that came before us. Ordinary people that did extraordinary feats, leading to the formation of the greatest country there’s ever been.”

Season 11 of “Travels with Darley,” which includes the Saratoga episode is available through the PBS streaming service. For more information about the Saratoga 250 Commission, visit, www.saratoga250.com.