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 eastern New York. It's about 30 miles north of Albany. This park protects the historic site of the Battles of Saratoga. These battles were a huge turning point in the American Revolutionary War. In 2015, the United States Mint even made a special quarter coin to honor the park!
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Discovering Saratoga's History
This park keeps alive the memory of the Battles of Saratoga. These battles were the first major American military victory during the American Revolutionary War. In 1777, American soldiers fought bravely here. They defeated a large British army and made them surrender. This victory was so important that France decided to help the United States. France became a strong ally, which greatly helped the Americans win their independence.
How the Park Was Created
The battlefield first became a New York state historic preserve in 1927. This was 150 years after the battles happened. Later, in 1938, the United States Congress made it part of the National Park System. That's when it officially became Saratoga National Historical Park.
What to See at the Park
When you visit, you can start at the Visitors Center. It has a 20-minute film and cool displays. There's also a map that lights up to show you where things happened. You can get a brochure for a self-guided tour of the battlefield. The battlefield itself is about 4 square miles in Stillwater.
About 8 miles north, in Schuylerville, you can visit General Philip Schuyler's House. It's a restored house museum that you can tour. The Saratoga Battle Monument is also nearby in the village of Victory.
The park is located near the Hudson River, southeast of Saratoga Springs. It's home to the famous Boot Monument. This monument honors Benedict Arnold, but it doesn't have his name on it. It's the only war memorial in the United States like that! Arnold was a hero early in the war, but later he switched sides. The memorial was given by John Watts de Peyster, a former general who wrote about the Battle of Saratoga.
The Surrender Site: Where History Changed
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 to American General Horatio Gates. This happened on October 17, 1777.
This 19-acre park is about nine miles north of the main Saratoga Battlefield Park. It's also half a mile south of Schuylerville. At the park, you'll find signs and plaques that explain the history. There are also two cannons on display. The park is open to visitors from dawn to dusk all year round.
Other Historic Spots Near Saratoga
Some other important places from the Battles of Saratoga are not inside the main park.
The Marshall House: A Witness to War
The Marshall House is about 8 miles north of the park's main entrance. It's on US 4 and NY 32. This house is famous because of Baroness Frederika Riedesel. She wrote about her experiences there during the war. The house was built between 1770 and 1773.
During the final days of the Battles of Saratoga, Baroness Riedesel stayed in the Marshall House. She was there with other officers' wives and wounded soldiers. Her writings tell about the hardships they faced. She also shared her thoughts on the leaders of both the British and American armies. Some people even call her the first woman war correspondent because of her detailed accounts. American soldiers bombarded the Marshall House because they thought it was an enemy headquarters.
Inside the house, you can still see cannonballs and other items from that difficult time. The Marshall House is the only building from the battle area that still stands today. It is privately owned.
As of mid-2023, the American Battlefield Trust and its partners have helped save 26 acres of the battlefield. This land is outside the national park.
Images for kids
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A view of the historic battlefield
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A cannon captured during the Battle of Saratoga
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General Philip Schuyler's historic house
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The Saratoga Monument
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A view from the middle level of the monument
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A view from the top of the monument
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Another view from the top of the monument
