A Turning Point of the American Revolution: Revisiting the Legacy of the Saratoga Campaign

Design Plan Gateway regional visitor information center providing visitor services, exhibitions, and programs.

Historic Hudson Hoosic Rivers Partnership

Recipient: County of Saratoga (Saratoga County, NY)
Amount: $200,000.00

A distortion of its Haudenosaunee name, possibly meaning “the hillside country of the quiet river,” modern-day Saratoga County is located just north of Albany, New York, and was a vital crossroad during the second year of the American Revolutionary War. Positioned between Lake George and the Hudson River, the relatively open land of this region connects what were two vital transportation routes during the 1700s. Waterborne highways that allowed for the rapid transfer of troops and supplies by boat.

This advantage was a key reason that the British military planned for three armies to advance from opposite directions towards Albany and Saratoga in 1777. A strategy that on paper would allow the British to cutoff New England from the rest of the rebellious “colonies,” and move their forces quickly between Montreal and New York City. A plan that was never realized.

For over a month in the Fall of 1777, the northern British Army under John Burgoyne fought against stiff American resistance throughout Saratoga County, engaging in major battles at Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights. These actions reduced Burgoyne’s army to a critical level of men and supplies. But instead of retreating, Burgoyne dug-in, because he believed support would arrive soon from British General’s Howe and St. Leger - reinforcements that never came. Instead, General Howe advanced toward the American Capital in Philadelphia, electing not to come up the Hudson to help Burgoyne, while General St. Leger was turned back at the Battle of Oriskany. Subsequently outnumbered and nearly out of supplies, Burgoyne surrendered to American forces on October 17th. This surrender would lead France to formally recognize the United States as an independent nation and join the fight on the American side. A turning-point in the war now being highlighted by a local government in New York.

Using the financial support of a Battlefield Interpretation Grant, Saratoga County will implement an innovative interpretation plan to enhance visitor engagement at sites relating to the Saratoga Campaign of 1777. By installing new waysides, interactive map tables, and providing augmented reality experiences, the County intends to highlight lesser-known events and perspectives of the battles of Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights. Including stories from American Patriots, Loyalists, German Mercenaries, and Native Tribes involved in the conflict.

Battlefield Interpretation Grants from the NPS American Battlefield Protection Program support preservation partners efforts to modernize and enhance battlefield interpretation. Helping to create learning environments that inspire diverse audiences to visit, understand, and empathize with the soldiers and civilians that witnessed some of our nation’s most challenging events. In addition to this grant opportunity, the program also provides financial assistance through Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants, Battlefield Restoration Grants, and Preservation Planning Grants, to help generate community-driven stewardship of historic resources at the state, tribal and local levels.