NEWSLETTER
Millersburg, OH (April 10, 2024) – The National Scenic Byway Foundation congratulates the Lakes to Locks Passage All-American Road of New York State, one of America’s Byways, as a winner of our 2024 Byway Award for Visitor Experience. This is one of the Foundation’s eight national awards presented annually.
The Lakes to Locks Passage Byway organization designed The Turning Point Trail. This trail guides you through 200 miles of the Byway's storied landscape, illustrating the events that led up to the Battles of Saratoga, which many historians have called the “turning point of the American Revolution.” Britain’s goal was to control the interconnected waterway from Montreal to New York City, thereby isolating New England “the seedbed of the Revolution” from the rest of the continent. By following in the footsteps of Major General John Burgoyne’s campaign you will learn that the story is about the land, the colonists, and the people who traveled through the New York wilderness in the summer and fall of 1777. In the 21st-century, this story has unified a 234-mile byway travel experience for local, national, and international travelers “as the reason for their trip” -- ready for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution!
This comprehensive interpretive experience includes: Turning Point Trail and Road to the Battle of Bennington PassagePorts (online thematic travel itineraries on steroids); a fully illustrated 56-page Turning Point Trail travel guidebook to the historic sites; a series of 11 kiosks and 6 interpretive signs along the byway route; six interpretive pocket parks; six PassageMinutes (short videos); two online animated maps depicting the battles and siege; a toolkit for battlefield stewardship; two travel rackcards; and interpretive exhibits at the Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center that provide an overview of the region’s 18th century military conflicts and today’s travel experience.
Our Byway communities have pride in their history. Particularly the military battles or skirmish that led to the American victory at Saratoga during the Revolutionary War. Through extensive research and collaboration, partnerships were developed with the historic sites and organizations throughout the region, State and Federal agencies, and even with Canadians. Together we have a powerful American story was gleaned from numerous images, books, letters, diaries, oral histories -- the stories from real people.
The key to our success with this project was to have a vision, provide leadership, and build collaboration. A byway organization needs to be the big thinker, recognize the strengths and potential contributions of partners, and then draw them in with ownership of the project. Most of our local partners are small museums, struggling non-profit organizations, and many individuals with passion. With an articulated vision, we took advantage of any and every opportunity that came our way. We leveraged grants. We networked. We pitched the idea. We gained community support. We built a byway community.
For additional information about Lakes to Locks Passage All-American Road, a Scenic Byway of New York State, visit https://passageport.org/ or www.TravelByways.com.
The National Scenic Byway Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving as The National Voice of Scenic Byways and Roads, dedicated to strengthening Byways through education, training and shared expertise. It is the vision of the National Scenic Byway Foundation that our nation’s designated Byways will be recognized and valued worldwide for their distinctive experiences, stories, and treasured places. For more information visit www.nsbfoundation.com; www.travelbyways.com; or email: info@nsbfoundation.com.
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Photo caption: View of the Hudson River from Saratoga National Historical Park, site of the 1777 Battles of Saratoga
Media Contact: Sharon Strouse, Executive Director
Telephone: 330-231-3468