Saratoga Battlefield Sesquicentennial

George Slingerland, first superintendent of Saratoga Battlefield during its New York State administrative period.

Saratoga NHP.

How can community facilitate memory?

Saratoga Battlefield, in 1926, nearly shouted this question, as the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the Battles of Saratoga was just one year away.

President of the New York State (NYS) Advisory Board on Battlefields and Historic Sites, George Slingerland, saw the path of time leading to that moment—early Saratoga Battlefield tourism (1820s-30s), the Memorialization Movement (post-Civil War), the Saratoga Monument Association’s establishing Saratoga Monument (1877-1883) and smaller monuments along roads in the Battlefield (1883-1891), and the Saratoga Battlefield Association buying properties to preserve the Battlefield (1923-25).

How to honor the combatants, and continue to interpret and preserve the grounds? Slingerland’s grand vision would require the whole community, and more, to help share the memory.The sesquicentennial would be commemorated on October 8, 1927.

In preparation, NYS set up hundreds of bleachers, extensive temporary staging, communication stations, and parking for the anticipated massive attendance. NYS also undertook sizable renovations of the Neilson Farm.

They built 3 conceptual buildings: a “Period House,” labeled as Benedict Arnold’s headquarters, a “Powder Magazine,” and a 2-story blockhouse labeled “Fort Neilson.” They also started work on a symbolic American cemetery just west of the Neilson House.

On August 8th, 1927, an astounding 160,000 visitors attended the 3-hour commemorative pageant. Presenters numbered close to 6,000 participants, including: choirs and bands from Skidmore College, Union College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Boy Scouts; the National Guard; dozens of politicians; and hundreds of early re-enactors. NYS formally accepted the Battlefield as a State historic site.

Attendance showed Slingerland the widespread interest in Saratoga Battlefield. Additional preservation, site development, and labor were still needed, requiring more time and funding. The looming Great Depression would reveal the limits of both, and reveal a ray of hope amid economic shadow.

How could you help facilitate memory?