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Tomorrow night program - LEXINGTON, SARATOGA, YORKTOWN: The Road to America’s Revolution – How did America Revolution start, what was the turning point, and how did it end? Historian Sean Kelleher will take you on a journey from rebellion, to revolution, to republic. Learn how it all happened on Tuesday, October 10, at 7:30 pm at the Saratoga Town Hall.

Kelleher is a member of the Lexington Minute Men. He was one of the organizers of the 225th Anniversary of the Battle Road - commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 2000 and the 225th Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga in 2002 at the Saratoga Battlefield and the Surrender of Burgoyne. Kelleher was a participant in the 200th Anniversary of the Siege of Yorktown and is looking forward to the 225th Anniversary which will be taking place in two weeks.

Tours of the Marshall House are totally booked up - we have filled all the available spaces.

We had great support from the local media telling people about the event including Daily Gazette, Greenwich Journal, and Free Press. Thank you for your support!

Coming Events

The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis by John Trumbull hangs
in the Rotunda of the US Capital next to Surrender of Burgoyne
which was also done by Trumbull.

Next Tuesday, LEXINGTON, SARATOGA, YORKTOWN: The Road to America’s Revolution – How did America Revolution start, what was the turning point, and how did it end? Historian Sean Kelleher will take you on a journey from rebellion, to revolution, to republic. Learn how it all happened on Tuesday, October 10, at 7:30 pm at the Saratoga Town Hall.

Added bonus this weekend....We have great weather, the leaves look great and the Schuyler House has been repainted so... SARATOGA MONUMENT AND SCHUYLER HOUSE FALL HOURS – The Old Saratoga Unit of Saratoga National Historical Park are open this and next Saturday and Sunday, October 7, 8, 14 and 15 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The 155-foot obelisk is a great location to see the fall leaves.

Also keep in mind that a week from Saturday is the CANDLELIGHT TOURS OF THE SCHUYLER HOUSE - Old Saratoga Historical Association members in period costume, park staff and volunteers guide visitors by candlelight through General Philip Schuyler's 1777 country house on Saturday, October 14 from 6:00 -9:00 p.m.

RSVP for BARONESS’ HOME: Guided Tours of the Marshall House are going well - we have filled up one tour and now are booking the 2nd tour. This private home which sheltered the Baroness Riedesel, her three young children and an army hospital will be opened by reservations for guided tours on Friday, October 13. (Reservations only – call 583-0506)

The American Rattle Snake

Special thank you to Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer for providing a copy of this 18th Century Political Cartoon called "The American Rattle Snake". The large snake that has already encircled the British at Saratoga and Yorktown has a third empty circle on the left, indicating that there is still room for another captured British army. The caption reads: "Britons within the Yankeean Plains, Mind how ye March & Trench, The Serpent in the congress reigns, As well as in the French."

This is of course not the first time the Rattle Snake was used as an image to support the American Revolution. In 1751, Benjamin Franklin wrote a satirical commentary in his Pennsylvania Gazette suggesting that as a way to thank England for their policy of sending convicted felons to America, American colonists should send rattlesnakes to England.

Three years later, in 1754, Franklin used a snake to illustrate another point. This time not so humorous.
Franklin sketched, carved, and published the first known political cartoon in an American newspaper. It was the image of a snake cut into eight sections. The sections represented the individual colonies and the curves of the snake suggested the coastline. New England was combined into one section as the head of the snake. South Carolina was at the tail. Beneath the snake were the ominous words "Join, or Die."
This had nothing to do with independence from England. It was a plea for unity in defending the colonies during the French and Indian War. It played off a common superstition of the time: a snake that had been cut into pieces could come back to life if you joined the sections together before sunset. Franklin's disjointed snake became a symbol of American unity during the lead up to the American Revolution.

The most common symbol with the Rattle Snake is the Gadsen Flag named after Colonel Christopher Gadsen. It was noted in the Pennsylvania Journal in 1775 that the Rattle Snake was a good symbol for America because "the Rattle-Snake is found in no other quarter of the world besides America." The anonymous writer goes on to say that the rattlesnake also has sharp eyes, and "may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance."

Furthermore, "She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. ... she never wounds 'till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her."

Finally, "I confess I was wholly at a loss what to make of the rattles, 'till I went back and counted them and found them just thirteen, exactly the number of the Colonies united in America; and I recollected too that this was the only part of the Snake which increased in numbers. ... Tis curious and amazing to observe how distinct and independent of each other the rattles of this animal are, and yet how firmly they are united together, so as never to be separated but by breaking them to pieces. One of those rattles singly, is incapable of producing sound, but the ringing of thirteen together, is sufficient to alarm the boldest man living."

The "The American Rattle Snake" is part of a new display at the Saratoga National Historical Park Visitors Center in Stillwater. The Park Visitors Center is open from 9 to 5 pm daily. Saturday, October 7 is the 229th Anniversary of the 2nd Battle at Saratoga. Given the color of the leaves and the expected nice weather, it is a fine time to visit the National Park and see the new display.

13 Toast in Memory of October 17, 1777

This is a copy of the newspaper report from 225 years ago which reports on the celebration in the American Army in the Hudson Highlands to celebrate the American Victory at Saratoga. Note the references to the French Allies.

Camp, Peeks-Kill October 18, 1781

Yesterday, the anniversary of the Surrender of General Burgoyne’s army was celebrated by the officers of the 3d Massachusetts brigade, in a manner which would have given satisfaction to any gentlemen who are sensible of the important events of that day.

Colonel Commandant Greaton gave an elegant entertainment, at which were present Major-General Heath and suite, the officers of the brigade, and a number of other gentlemen.
The recollection of the glorious victory which was completed on that day, and the prospect of events equally glorious, animated every breath with the most pleasing sensations, and diffused a lively joy on every countenance. An elegant concert of music attended the entertainment; and after dinner the following toasts were drank.

1. The ever memorable 17th of October, 1777

2. The 19th of September, 1777

3. The 7th of October, 1777

4. The memory of those gallant officers and soldiers, who fell in acquiring the glory of the day we now celebrate.

5. The United States of America, and Congress

6. His Most Christian Majesty

7. General Washington

8. Count de Grasse

9. Count de Rochambeau

10. The fleet and allied army, employed on the glorious expedition in Virginia

11. General Greene, and the brave army under his command

12. Our Ambassadors at foreign courts

13. May Freedom, peace, and happiness, be established in America and extended throughout the world.

If you would like to join your neighbors in celebrating the American Victory at Saratoga by drinking these 13 Toasts, you are invited to join the Fort Hardy Committee at the Bandstand at Fort Hardy on Tuesday, October 17 at Noon.

Town of Saratoga Celebrates Statewide Archives Week

Town of Saratoga, NY (September 29, 2006) --- -- Town of Saratoga Historian's Office, along with hundreds of organizations in the archival community across New York State, will celebrate New York Archives Week, October 8-14 with special commemorative activities at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall.

Among the free activities will be lecture by Town Historian Sean Kelleher entitled LEXINGTON, SARATOGA, YORKTOWN: The Road to America's Revolution on Tuesday, October 10 at 7:30 pm. These special events are designed to celebrate the importance of historical recordsand to familiarize the Saratoga area with the relevance of these materials to the cultural and historical life of the region.

In addition to the entertaining activities and educational programs, tours and exhibits of Saratoga and Schuylerville's history will be offered. These events are part of the locally events known as Surrender Week, October 10 -17 which commemorates the 229th Anniversary of the seven days that the British General John Burgoyne'stroops were encircled in Old Saratoga and the American Victory at Saratoga. Surrender Week is sponsored by the Town of Saratoga, Village of Schuylerville, Schuylerville Public Library, SchuylervilleVisitors Center, Old Saratoga Historical Association, http://www.themarshallhouse.org/ and the Saratoga National Historical Park. The victory at Saratoga is recognized as one of the fifteen most decisive battles in world history and was the turning point of the American Revolution. For more information contact the Schuylerville Visitors Center 518-695-4159 or visit surrenderweek.blogspot.com

"The Historical Records Collection of the Town of Saratoga Historian's office serves to strengthen the community's collective memory on local history and since our community has played an important role in State, National and International history, the collection provides irreplaceable access to the community's primary source material," said Supervisor Thomas Wood III.

Similar events will be held in all areas of New York state. A complete listing of events can be found at here.

Ceremonial Sword Surrender

The ceremonial sword surrender from 2005 with Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer passing the sword over to Town Historian Sean Kelleher.

Surrender Week, The World Turn’d Upside Down… Again

Town of Saratoga, NY (September 26, 2006) --- The Fort Hardy Committee is announcing “The World Turn’d Upside Down… Again” is the theme for Surrender Week, October 10 – 17 2006 which commemorates the 229th Anniversary of the seven days that the British General John Burgoyne's troops were encircled in Old Saratoga and the American Victory at Saratoga. “The theme relates to the song played during Yorktown Surrender in 1781 which took place four years and two days after Saratoga” according the Town of Saratoga Historian Sean Kelleher. “The American Victories at Saratoga and Yorktown are unparallel in the annals of history because there were two complete British armies surrendered during the American Revolution. This was just unheard of until then.”

“We have a great partnership planning the commemoration lead by the Fort Hardy Committee, which includes the Historians’ Offices of Saratoga and Schuylerville, Old Saratoga Historical Association, Saratoga National Historical Park, Schuylerville Visitors Center, and the Schuylerville Public Library” explained Schuylerville Historian Kristina Saddlemire. The Partnership has a series of events planned from October 10 to October 17.”

"The highlight of the week is the candlelight tour of the Schuyler House on Saturday, October 14 from 6 to 9 pm,” according to Deborah Peck Kelleher, President of the Old Saratoga Historical Association. “Our partners at the National Park Service, have done a great job finding and in some places creating new electric candles which keep the ambiance of the candlelight evening while supporting the conservation initiatives at the Schuyler House. The 229 year old Schuyler House is getting a new coat of paint to preserve it for future generations so the Candlelight Tour is a wonderful opportunity to see these efforts and commend the staff for their efforts.”

The schedule includes:

LEXINGTON, SARATOGA, YORKTOWN: The Road to America’s Revolution – How did America Revolution start, what was the turning point, and how did it end? Historian Sean Kelleher will take you on a journey from rebellion, to revolution, to republic. Learn how it all happened on Tuesday, October 10, at 7:30 pm at the Saratoga Town Hall.

SIEGE FIELD WALKING Join Town Historian and Reenactor Sean Kelleher for a walking tour (about 2 miles) of the Siege Field lines will include the Schuyler House property and Village of Schuylerville. See where history was made on Wednesday, October 11, at 7:30 pm at the Saratoga Town Hall.

GATES AND ARNOLD: The Continuing Controversy - So, what did occur between Generals Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold in the American camp after September 19? About what did they argue, and why? Some answers are lost to time, but others remain, fueling controversy to this day. Come learn "the rest of the story” from the Saratoga Battlefield Rangers on Thursday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Town Hall.

BARONESS’ HOME: Guided Tours of the Marshall House – This private home which sheltered the Baroness Riedesel, her three young children and an army hospital will be opened by reservations for guided tours on Friday, October 13. (Reservations only – call 583-0506)

SARATOGA MONUMENT AND SCHUYLER HOUSE FALL HOURS – The Old Saratoga Unit of Saratoga National Historical Park are open on Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 15 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The 155-foot obelisk is a great location to see the fall leaves.

CANDLELIGHT TOURS OF THE SCHUYLER HOUSE - Old Saratoga Historical Association members in period costume, park staff and volunteers guide visitors by candlelight through General Philip Schuyler's 1777 country house on Saturday, October 14 from 6:00 -9:00 p.m.

THE LAST DAYS OF THE BATTLES: Open House at the Schuylerville Area Visitors Center – The new exhibit about the final days of the Battles of Saratoga and the enduring history of the Battles of Saratoga will be showcased during this open house on Sunday, October 15 at 2 pm.

RESEARCHING REVOLUTIONARY ANCESTORS – Get help with research strategy for finding Revolutionary War Veterans from Deputy Town Historian and Genealogist Patricia Peck at the Schuylerville Public Library on Monday, October 16 starting at 1 pm.

FORT HARDY PARK UNCOVERED: Archeology in America’s Most Historic Village –
Archeologist Andrew Blake will detail the major excavation that he and his team did in Fort Hardy Park during 2005 as part of the new water plant on Monday, October 16 at 7:30 pm at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall.

229th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION OF THE AMERICAN VICTORY AT SARATOGA CEREMONY - Watch the British Flag is lowered and the American Flag is raised commemorating the end of the 7-day siege and the American victory at Saratoga near the location that the British grounded their arms. There will be music and a wreath laying ceremony starting at Noon at Tuesday, October 17 at the Bandstand at Fort Hardy Park.

Surrender Week is sponsored by the Town of Saratoga, Village of Schuylerville, Schuylerville Public Library, Schuylerville Visitors Center, Old Saratoga Historical Association, http://www.themarshallhouse.org/ and the Saratoga National Historical Park. The victory at Saratoga is recognized as one of the fifteen most decisive battles in world history and was the turning point of the American Revolution. For information call Schuylerville Visitors Center 518-695-4159 or visit surrenderweek.blogspot.com.

“This Surrender Week is very important to the Fort Hardy Committee which was formed to recognize this most important location in the history of our country because in 1777 a British army under General John Burgoyne surrendered and laid down their arms at the Fort bringing to a conclusion the Battles of Saratoga, known as the "Turning Point" of the American Revolution,” explains Committee Chairperson Bill Reynolds. “Today, the Fort is a wonderful park with athletic fields, beach, youth center and walking paths along the Champlain Canal and Hudson River. The committee was supportive of the recent exhibit renovations at the Village's visitors center at Fort Hardy. The Committee’s efforts dovetail with current and future development of all the historic resources of the Old Saratoga region including Old Saratoga on the Hudson, the National Park sites and the Old Champlain Canal.”