Steuben Memorial State Historic Site

Baron Von Steuben was laid to rest in the "Sacred Grove" in 1804.

National Park Service

Quick Facts

Location:

9941 Starr Hill Rd, Remsen, NY 13438

Significance:

The Steuben Memorial honors the "Drillmaster of the American Revolution," Baron von Steuben, whose valuable wartime services have been described as being second in importance only to those of George Washington.

Designation:

The present day monument was erected in 1870 and replaced a smaller monument erected in 1824. In 1931, then Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt established the site as a memorial state park.

MANAGED BY:

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

A veteran of the Prussian Army, Frederick Wilhelm Von Steuben was in France in 1777. There he was introduced to Benjamin Franklin and he volunteered his services to advise the ill-trained American army. Starting at Valley Forge, he converted the ragged, starving army into an effective fighting force and developed the logistical system that allowed the army to survive in the field. His program greatly increased morale and strengthened the army. He authored the "Regulations for the order and discipline of the troops of the United States", sometimes referred to as the "Blue Book," which still remains a basic reference for military training and organization.

As gratitude for his wartime contributions, New York State deeded him a large parcel of land in 1786 and congress granted von Steuben a life annuity in 1790. He spent his summers at his two room log house on the site until his large manor house could be built. Steuben also planned on large scale development of his lands. His large house remained unbuilt and only minimal land development had been accomplished when Steuben died in his cabin in November of 1794. Per his request he was laid in an unmarked grave, but road development exposed his grave in 1804. One of his former aids, Benjamin Walker, took charge of his remains and donated part of the land Steuben had bequeathed him as a final resting place for the Baron’s remains. The site today is known as the "Sacred Grove." 

In addition to the “Sacred Grove”, the site also contains a replica of Steuben’s cabin. 

NOTE: Steuben Memorial is managed in partnership with the National Park Service at Fort Stanwix National Monument.
 

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  40 for 40: Steuben Memorial

  Sitting in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains you can find the burial place of the "Drillmaster of the Revolution," Frederick Wilhelm Von Steuben.

  Duration:

  2 minutes, 52 seconds