Turning Point: An Interpretive Plan for the American Revolution’s Battles at Saratoga

During the battle of Bemis Heights, American generals Arnold and Enoch used the John Neilson farmstead as a makeshift headquarters to organize defense of the area against British troops.

NPS

Recipient: Saratoga County

Amount: $20,000

After an arduous trek through the Canadian wilderness in September 1777, British General John Burgoyne arrived in New York prepared to capture prominent colonial towns and put a swift end to the American Revolution. Burgoyne’s plan hinged on capturing Albany: from there, the British planned to attack New England and cut off the birthplace of the Revolution from the rest of the “Colonies.” While Burgoyne secured a minor victory at Freeman’s Farm, British troops encountered heavy resistance from American forces under the command of General Horatio Gates at Bemis Heights. The British were forced to retreat to the town of Saratoga where, surrounded by Gates' troops and with supplies dwindling, Burgoyne contemplated the impossible – surrender. The British capitulation at the Battle of Saratoga on October 17th shattered the notion of the empire’s invincibility and played a large role in convincing France to support American independence.

With the support of a Battlefield Interpretation Grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program, Saratoga County will develop an interpretive plan for key areas of these battlefields. The plan will build on the research of local archeologists, cultural landscape experts, and historians to identify innovative technological methods, including augmented reality and web apps, which broaden the story of the Battles of Saratoga. The County aims to use newly identified approaches to illustrate the Battles of Saratoga’s significant impact on the nation’s founding in time for America’s 250th anniversary.

Battlefield Interpretation Grants from the NPS American Battlefield Protection Program empower preservation partners nationwide to modernize and enhance battlefield interpretation – to inspire wonder, understanding and empathy at the places that witnessed some of our nation’s most challenging events. In addition, the program administers three other grants: Battlefield Land Acquisition, Preservation Planning, and Battlefield Restoration Grants. This financial assistance generates community-driven stewardship of historic resources at the state, tribal and local levels.

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Check out the American Battlefield Protection Program's website for more information about various grant offerings and eligibility.

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