View inside the main chamber of Saratoga Monument. The two people shown give a sense of the size of the bronze plaques.
NPS
Inside Saratoga Monument you will see a number of huge metal plaques on the inside walls. These massive bronze plaques depict elements of the history of the American Revolution, the 1777 invasion of British forces southward into New York, and the Battle of Saratoga.
One needs to note, however, that the themes or events in the plaques aren’t necessarily as historically accurate as modern scholarship would require. The general “flavor” or sense of history was of primary importance at the time. The tireless and inspired efforts of the Saratoga Monument Association were part of a larger social and political current in America: the Memorialization Movement. Memorialization set up monuments, not necessarily exactly where events occurred, but near where they happened. More importantly, they'd be accessible to passersby. The result: a simple drive down country roads could be transformed into a chance to reflect on our national history and heritage.
The focus on that general sense or theme, a lack of better information, or other primary focus, led to what we would now call historical inaccuracies. Plaques' inaccuracies -- "No taxation withoutrepresentation!" That was a major rallying cryin the American Revolution. Britain's King GeorgeIII levied taxes on the American colonies to helppay for British costs incurred in the French andIndian War. Yet the first two plaques you'll seeappear to tell a different story.
Why? Keepreading and find out!
And there you go! As you ascend the stairs, be sure to take a few moments to enjoy the surrounding views, especially at the top.
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Saratoga National Historical Park information desk available daily from 9am - 5pm. If no one is available to take your call, please leave a message, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.
