Saratoga National Historical Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saratoga National Historical Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Saratoga National Historical Park
Location in New York
Saratoga National Historical Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Stillwater, Saratoga County, New York, United States |
| Nearest city | Saratoga Springs, New York |
| Area | 3,392 acres (13.73 km2) |
| Established | June 1, 1938 |
| Visitors | 65,043 (in 2011) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Saratoga National Historical Park |
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Saratoga National Historical Park
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| NRHP reference No. | 66000569 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Saratoga National Historical Park is a special place in Stillwater, New York, in eastern New York. It's about 30 miles north of Albany. This park protects the land where the important Battles of Saratoga happened. These battles were a big part of the American Revolutionary War.
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What is Saratoga National Historical Park?
This park protects the exact spot where the Battles of Saratoga took place. These battles were the first big American military win in the American Revolutionary War. In 1777, American soldiers fought and defeated a large British army. They forced the British to give up. This victory was so important that France decided to help the United States. France became a strong military friend to the Americans.
The battlefield first became a historic preserve in 1927. This was 150 years after the battles. In 1938, the United States Congress made it part of the National Park System. It was then named Saratoga National Historical Park.
Visiting the Park
The Visitors Center at the park has many things to see. You can watch a 20-minute film about the battles. There's also a special map that lights up to show what happened. You can see old items from the war and a timeline of events.
You can get a brochure for a self-guided tour. This tour takes you around the 4 square miles of the battlefield. It's located in Stillwater, New York.
Other Historic Sites Nearby
General Philip Schuyler's Schuyler House is about 8 miles north of the park. It's in Schuylerville. This house has been fixed up and is now a museum. You can take a tour to see it.
The Saratoga Battle Monument is in the nearby village of Victory. It's a tall monument honoring the battle.
The park is located near the Hudson River, southeast of Saratoga Springs. It has a famous statue called the Boot Monument. This monument honors Benedict Arnold. It's special because it's the only war memorial in the United States without the honoree's name. The memorial was given by John Watts de Peyster. He was a general during the American Civil War. He also wrote books about the Battle of Saratoga.
Saratoga Surrender Site Memorial Park
In 2021, the place where the British Army surrendered became part of the National Park Service. This area is called the Saratoga Surrender Site Memorial Park. It shows the exact spot where British General John Burgoyne gave up his army. This happened to General Horatio Gates on October 17, 1777.
This park is 19 acres big. It's about nine miles north of the main Saratoga Battlefield Park. It's also half a mile south of Schuylerville on U.S. Route 4. The park has signs and plaques that explain what happened. There are also two cannons on display.
The Open Space Institute owns the land. The National Park Service manages it. Visitors can come to the park from morning until evening all year round.
Other Places from the Battles of Saratoga
The Marshall House is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's about 8 miles north of the main park entrance. You can find it on US 4 and NY 32 north of Schuylerville.
This house became famous because of Baroness Frederika Riedesel. She wrote about her experiences there during the war. The house was built between 1770 and 1773.
Baroness Riedesel's Story
During the final days of the Battles of Saratoga, Baroness Riedesel stayed in the Marshall House. She was there with the wives of British officers and wounded soldiers. She wrote about the hard times they faced. She also wrote about the important leaders from both the British and American armies. Her strong love for her husband, who was in danger, was also clear. Some people say she was the first woman war correspondent (a reporter who covers wars).
The Americans fired cannons at the Marshall House. They thought it was a British headquarters. Inside the house, you can still see cannonballs and other reminders of that difficult time. The Marshall House is the only building from the battle area that is still standing today. It is privately owned.
As of mid-2023, the American Battlefield Trust and its partners have saved 26 acres of the battlefield. This land is outside of the national park.
Images for kids
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View of the battlefield
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Trophy Cannon from the Battle of Saratoga
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General Philip Schuyler House
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Masonic Saratoga Monument
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View from middle level of monument
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View from top of monument
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View from top of monument
