Saratoga National Historical Park offers Special Events and Programs this “Anniversary Season”

Stillwater, N.Y.— This September and October mark the 249^th anniversaries of the Battles of Saratoga and the surrender of British forces that followed. The park will mark this period with the following special events:

Plants, Pollinators, Phenology, and People

Thursday, September 3

10 am

Meet at the Visitor Center

Hike through a lesser-known area of the park exploring plants, invasive species, birds lingering

before migration, late season phenology and how people have altered this landscape. Most of

all we will enjoy the sounds, smells, and sights nature has to offer.

We will meet at the Visitor Center parking lot and caravan from there. Bring your boots along with plenty of water! The paths have a little change in elevation and may be muddy in spots. May be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.

History Caravan

Saturday, September 12

9:30 am

Visitor Center

Looking for a more in-depth, hands-on experience during your visit? Join a Park Volunteer for a

caravan-style tour of the Battlefield! Tours will last 2.5-3 hours. Meet in the Visitor Center and

follow along in your own vehicle for as long as you like. May be cancelled in the event of

inclement weather.

Night Sky Over the Neilson Farm

Saturday, September 12

5:45 pm to 7:30 pm Tour Road Gate Open

6 pm to 8 pm Neilson House Open House

8:15 pm to 9 pm Ranger Program

Neilson Farm (Stop 2)

On September 12, 1777 over 8,000 troops with the Northern Army arrive at Bemus Heights to capitalize on geographic features in the Hudson River Valley. This gives them a strategic advantage against the British Army who are trying to make their way south to Albany. A week later, the Battle of Freeman’s Farm will take place.

Join us 249 years later for an exciting special event! This year, we will be hosting our annual night sky program at the Neilson Farm (Stop 2 on the Battlefield Tour Road). Park rangers and volunteers will be discussing the army’s arrival, camp life, the impact to civilians in the area, and our shared connection to the night sky. See the Neilson House lit by candlelight and marvel at the stars above.

A 45-minute presentation will take place at 8:15 p.m. Visitors can arrive between 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to enjoy sunset, speak with park staff and volunteers, visit the Neilson House, and find their spots for the presentation. Junior Rangers can work on a Night Sky Explorer book and earn a patch!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see the park after dark and learn about the Battles of Saratoga!

September Encampment

Saturday, September 19

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday, September 20

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Stops 2 & 6

Revolutionary War soldiers return to Saratoga! On the 249th anniversary of the 1777 Battles of

Saratoga, Saratoga National Historical Park will host the return of troops on the original

Revolutionary War battlegrounds.

At Benedict Arnold's headquarters (tour road stop 2), Continental soldiers from the 2nd, 3rd, 10th, and 15th Massachusetts Regiments will encamp near the same location those same troops would have occupied in 1777 to defend against the British invasion from Canada.

At Freeman's Farm (tour road stop 6), British soldiers of His Majesty's 24th and 62nd Regiments will be on hand to restore crown authority to the American colonies.

Men and women will be authentically dressed - soldiers will perform military exercises (including firing muskets) while followers and soldiers sew and cook provisions. The reenactors are here for you - be sure to ask them lots of questions!

Freeman’s Farm Walking Tour

Saturday, September 19

2 p.m.

Tour Stop 6

Join Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer as he gives a guided tour of Freeman's Farm, the place where most of the first battle of Saratoga was fought on September 19, 1777. The battle - one of the longest land battles of the eight-year-long war - was a terrible fight over farm fields and woods and ended up costing the lives of hundreds of men and boys, most of whom are still buried in unmarked graves near where they fell. Meet at the Freeman Farm parking lot (stop 6); the tour will last for about one hour.

Fall, Fields, and Families

Tuesday, September 22

10 am

Meet at the Visitor Center

Experience the first day of fall exploring a lesser-known area of the park. Attune to the changes the autumnal equinox brings. Walk through fields and forest as we observe plants, wildlife, and family farms.

We will meet in the Visitor Center parking lot and caravan from there. The ground is mostly flat but may be muddy in spots. May be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.

History Caravan

Saturday, September 26

9:30 am

Visitor Center

Looking for a more in-depth, hands-on experience during your visit? Join a Park Volunteer for a

caravan-style tour of the Battlefield! Tours will last 2.5-3 hours. Meet in the Visitor Center and

follow along in your own vehicle for as long as you like. May be cancelled in the event of

inclement weather.

Stories in Stone: the "Tablets" of Saratoga Battlefield

Saturday, September 26

1 p.m.

Visitor Center

After the Battles of Saratoga ended, it took over 100 years before any historical signs marked places related to those battles. There were farms to run, families to raise, lives to continue. But in 1883, the Saratoga Monument Association's "Committee on Tablets" entered the scene. Committee chair, Ellen Hardin Walworth, had a clear purpose: set up a series of stone markers alongside public roads running through and between private properties that had been (and would be!) Saratoga Battlefield. What stories do they tell? Are they just battlefield history? What more might they say?

Battle of Bemus Heights Walking Tour

Wednesday, October 7

1 p.m.

Tour Stop 5

Join Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer as he gives a guided tour of the fields where the Battle of Bemus Heights - the second battle of Saratoga - was fought on October 7, 1777. The battle was one of the most decisive American victories of the Revolutionary War and put an end to the British scheme to capture Albany. Major new information has reshaped our understanding of Benedict Arnold's role in the battle, and discussing his heroism in the fight will be a highlight of the tour. No sign-up required; those interested should meet at "The Tide Turns" parking lot (stop 5); the tour will last for about one hour. 

Saturday, October 10

9:30 am

Visitor Center

Looking for a more in-depth, hands-on experience during your visit? Join a Park Volunteer for a

caravan-style tour of the Battlefield! Tours will last 2.5-3 hours. Meet in the Visitor Center and

follow along in your own vehicle for as long as you like. May be cancelled in the event of

inclement weather.

Hamilton Outdoor Movie Night

Saturday, October 10

6:30 p.m.

Schuyler Estate (4 Broad St, Schuylerville)

Join us on the lawn of their father’s Saratoga estate as the Schuyler sisters take center stage in

the hit Broadway musical, Hamilton! Rated PG-13, runtime 160 minutes.

"The day must shortly come when these facts will be known to the World.”

Monday, October 12

1 p.m.

Visitor Center

Join us on the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Valcour Island for a new look at that legendary encounter traditionally credited with stopping the British invasion of 1776 and setting up the Battles of Saratoga the following year. Benedict Arnold's flotilla may have lost, but "never had any force, big or small, lived to better purpose or died more gloriously, for it had saved the lake for that year." At least that's what naval officer and historian Alfred Thayer Mahan boldly declared in his 1913 assessment of American War for Independence naval operations. The outrageousness of his hyperbole aside, is there any truth to Mahan's claim? What could the British have reasonably done differently to successfully retake Ticonderoga that fall? If nothing, how does that impact popular perception of Arnold's Valcour gambit? Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer will attempt to answer these questions and more.

Schuyler House Candlelight Tours

Wednesday, October 14

6 p.m.

Schuyler House

Experience the ambiance of an 18th Century house in the evening with a special candlelight tour through the Schuyler House! As you are led through the house, you will hear stories about life and events on the estate and the people who lived there. Candlelight tours are low light and may make walking through the house challenging for some visitors. Capacity limits will be in effect for safety and protection of visitors and the historic resources. Visit go.nps.go/saraevents for instruction to reserve your spot.

Surrender Day Trolley