Saratoga, It's a National Historic Park . Relive this decisive Battle !
Written: Sep 22 '02 (Updated Apr 18 '03)
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Pros: Beautiful landscape, great history
Cons: distance to get there.
The Bottom Line: This site really showed the importance of this battle in the revolution. The history of our independent nation may have been stopped right there. Saratoga opened my eyes!!
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Saratoga National Historical Park |
You know how some days can be full of surprises and just perfect? A few days ago my business took me upstate New York to the Saratoga region. Just twenty minutes or so north of Albany this area is well known for it's beauty, tourist spots, and great American history.
I was a few hours early to my business destination and I passed a familiar brown National Park sign near an exit. I advised my co-workers we were off to find some history. I got a usual Now what? in response. You see, whenever I am on a road trip I seek out places to visit. In particular National Parks, Monuments, and historic sites.
This time was no different. I had already planned to stop and visit, but I did get a pleasant surprise. After walking up to the Visitors center I was greeted by a gentleman in period costume and was told that it was the two hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the beginning of the Revolutionary Wars battle in Saratoga.
I paid my five dollar admission fee and watched the ten minute film that explains the importance of the Hudson River strategically, the battle that ensued, and the generals and men who were involved.
The visitors center has a three dimensional diorama of the region and the battle grounds. Looking out the huge glass windows you could see some of that land from the commanding view of the center. You actually are looking at a cannon at your level that is protecting the fields below.
The woman behind the counter, she wasn't a ranger or naturalist, was very excited about the anniversary day and was just bubbling over with information. She also told me that her park was highlighted as a stamp in this years issue. This was due to the milestone of two hundred twenty-five years of the first day of the battle that was a decisive event in the was against the Brits. She then proceeded to tell me that each park or site must submit a reason to be highlighted. It is a sort of competition and she told me "They Won!"
I was a bit excited myself due to the reason that I would get my passport stamped on the date of this anniversary. For more information on National park passports and stamps please click on my name and look for Passport to Your National Parks, All the info you may want to know. This is a fun, exciting, and wonderful way to learn more of Americas heritage.
So I did have the special issue stamp canceled. The woman was so excited for me. I loved the enthusiasm!! Simple things can give me so much pleasure.
The visitors center is also a small museum with much to offer in eighteenth century pieces. There were a few cannons that were beautifully designed on the outside barrels. Other weapons and tools of the day were also on display. I found this interesting.
The grounds themselves can be seen by taking a nine mile loop drive through the park. It starts at the visitors center so be sure to make a restroom stop at the center before starting. It is a self guided tour through woods, hills, and overlooks of the Hudson river. Be sure to pick up a guide at the center.
The Hudson River was named after Henry Hudson who was on a quest to find the Northwest passage to the middle east. He sailed in his boat the Halfmoon. There is a nearby town by that name. You will see signs for it on the interstate on your way to Saratoga.
I found it interesting how in quotes of the day, the river was known as Hudson's river.
A brief background here may help. General John Burgoyne who commanded 9,000 troops,including 4,200 British solders, about 4,000 Germans, and 1,000 Loyalists, Indians, and Canadians, felt Hudson's River an extremely important strategic waterway. If he controlled the river he would cut the American armies off from each other and keep much needed supplies from getting to their armies
He marched down from Canada but was expecting other British troops from NYC to come up and re-enforce his troops. This never happened. The troops under Sir William Howe in NY were committed to a battle in Philadelphia and did not have the time to get back upstate.
Meanwhile on the American troop side things were being prepared for the British assault. Col. Thaddius Kosciuszko, who was a Polish engineer serving with the Americans, built fortifications on and around overlooks defending the Hudson. We have a bridge in New York named after him.
Burgoyne had a decision to make. Try to get by the fortifications or fight the Americans right there and drive them out. He decided to fight.
The nine mile road is the best way to witness the battle. The road is mostly a one way loop with turnoff areas. As you travel you will observe ten main stops. The significance of the stop is explained in both the guide map with some information at the stop. Some sites are very near the turnoff while others must be walked to. Most are easily reachable though the loop trail at the last stop is very steep and would be difficult for those with limited mobility. Don't worry though there is so much else to see.
The ten stops take you to farms, homes, fortifications, headquarters of the generals, battle sites, burial sites, and trails taking you to hospital sites, and other points of interest. Along the road you may also spot monuments to those involved in the battle. These are dedicated to \both sides of the combatants in the battle. One is for General Fraser of the British who was killed and buried in Saratoga.
Another one of these monuments is dedicated to General Benedict Arnold. It seems he was quite a hero for the Americans in this battle fighting valiantly and rallying his troops on to victory. I find it quite ironic that he helped win the battle for the Americans that was a very important and decisive victory for them.
The park has within it's borders the Wilkinson National Recreation Trail. I don't know much about it but I did see many locals jogging on it.
Not being a person who, prior to this visit,followed the planning and strategy of battle I thought I would just see some sites and be moving on. Wrong! I became engrossed in the Saratoga National Historic Site. It really came to life. The enthusiasm of the woman in the visitors center made it's mark on me along with the sites I saw.
There are scheduled walks and talks in and about the park. Ask about them at the center. Another point to remember is that there are two other parts of the park and again you can get directions at the visitors center. I did not have time to see them that day.
Ask about the Saratoga monument which is about a twenty minute ride away. It is dedicated to the day of surrender by the British to American General Gates. It's a one hundred fifty-five foot memorial. Also look for Schuyler House, a beautiful home built by American General Philip Schuyler.
This a beautiful area of the country to drive through with it's rolling hills, lakes, and farms. Nearby is the hopping summer town of Saratoga Springs. There are plenty of places to eat and to stay in the region. There are no camping sites or living quarters within the park itself.
I hope you get a chance to witness history like I did. It almost felt like I was there.
Saratoga National Historic Park
648 Route 32
Stillwater,NY 12170
(518)664-9821 x224
www.nps.gov/sara
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Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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