Memorial Grove Landscape Restoration

Building a Memorial Landscape

As the dream of preserving the battlefield grounds became reality in the late-1920s, thoughts turned to honoring the soldiers who had fought and died here. This area, conveniently located near the new state park’s Visitor Center and mistakenly believed to be site of many unmarked American graves, became the center of a memorial landscape. It included a Memorial Pavillion, Monument to the Unknown American Dead, and a Memorial Grove of 27 American Elm trees. The grove consisted of a tree representing George
Washington in the center surrounded by 2 circles of 13 others. These were intended to represent both the original states and selected officers. Unfortunately, Dutch Elm disease largely killed off the Memorial Grove within a few decades and other plantings grew out of control, damaging their long-term health.

Devastated by Disease

Over the years, the trees of the Memorial Grove died from Dutch Elm disease and the plantings around the monument grew out of control, damaging their long-term health. These plantings had also exceeded their expected lifespans. Because of this, Natural and Cultural Resource experts with the National Park Service and the private sector all agreed that the best course of action was to remove the remains of the original plantings. This was recently done by park staff. After a thorough historical and environmental review, the park removed the remaining vegetation from around the monument in the summer of 2025.

 

Restoring the Landscape for the 250th

Earlier this decade, the New York State Daughters of the American Revolution approached the park in search of an appropriate project to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Saratoga Campaign. As early as the 1990s, park managers considered plans to restore some elements of the memorial landscape.The project seemed the perfect meeting of history and opportunity! Once again, the Daughters of the American Revolution stepped up and opened their pocket books to honor the heroes of Saratoga.

Soon, a newly restored landscape based on this conceptual design will be in place. In the meantime, please pardon our appearance as the old plantings had to be removed in preparation for planting. in the Fall of 2025, Princeton Elm will be planted for the reborn Memorial Grove. Eastern Red Cedar and Japanese Yew will be planted around the Monument to again provide a fitting backdrop.