As the 4th of July festivities wind down and we settle into our summer activities, it may seem like the 250th anniversary of our country is over; but in fact, the semi quincentennial lasts for a range of years. This year, we celebrated the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but the military action of the Revolutionary War began in 1775. Our area will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the turning point Battles of Saratoga in 2027, and many other Revolutionary events continued into the 1780s, which means the party continues for the next few years!
Coburg Village resident and local historian Jim Sefcik is excited for all the increased attention on the history in our area. He became interested in the 18th century during a required college class when something sparked for him with the required reading. He clicked with his professor, who later became a mentor, and Jim decided he wanted to teach history on a college level. His career eventually brought him to work in the museum system for many years, both locally at the New York State Museum in Albany and for nearly twenty years in Louisiana serving as Director of the Louisiana State Museum. After retiring, he moved back to New York and ran his consulting business and went back to teaching for a while. He now gives history presentations and talks all around the Capital District for various events.
Jim is a voracious reader. “The only way to learn history is to read!” he says. Over the years, he has read thousands of books on the 18th century. When he decided to downsize and move to Coburg Village, he knew he couldn’t take twelve full bookcases with him, so he looked for places to donate the books. Fort Ticonderoga was interested and decided to take the collection as a whole. Jim continues to donate more books to them each year.
When they approached him about being on the Fort’s Board, he knew he couldn’t refuse. Fort Ticonderoga has 2000 acres of historic American landscape and is a major cultural center, historical site, and learning center that engages more than 70,000 visitors each year. Hosting a large museum, reenactments, tours, daily programs & events, stunning gardens, boat cruises, dining options, animals, living history, and one of the best museum collections of 18th century artifacts and military equipment in North America, the Fort has something for everyone to enjoy—even a lock of Benedict Arnold’s hair!
Jim is also especially proud of their dedication to providing access to their comprehensive digital collection. They’re fully aware that not everyone can get to the museum in person, so they have been diligently working on scanning and digitizing their entire collection to be available to the whole world. All you need to do is go to the website and click on the image you’re interested in to find out more. Jim read a study that revealed more history is learned in museums than all other sources combined, including videos. Dedicated to the cause, the Fort is embarking on a financial capital campaign to expand their programs and offerings. The money will go toward building a new museum as well as a large collections storage facility adjacent to their research center, so scholars and students can come in to see objects from all aspects of history, not just military. They plan to open the new museum in 2030. Find out more at https://fortticonderoga.org.
Meanwhile, Jim will be presenting at events each month throughout the Capital District. You can find him next at the Saratoga History Center, Clifton Park Library, and Hudson Valley Community College before he circles back to Clifton Park later in the fall.
The Capital Region is rich with history from the Revolutionary War period, and summer is a great time to get out and visit our local historical sites. While our area has a plethora of historical sites in general, here are just a few within easy driving distance that were part of our country’s Revolutionary journey.
New York State Museum
222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY
Now hosting a new exhibition celebrating America’s 250th
https://nysm.nysed.gov/about/press/new-york-state-museum-opens-sweeping-new-exhibition-celebrating-americas-250th-and-new
Schuyler Mansion
32 Catherine St., Albany, NY
Open May 13th – October 31st, Wednesdays – Sundays, 10:30am – 5pm
Grounds & Visitor Center exhibits are free and open to visitors during hours of operation, but the mansion interior is by guided tour only. Visitors need to make a reservation for tours, which are offered from 11am – 5pm.
https://parks.ny.gov/visit/historic-sites/schuyler-mansion-state-historic-site
Peebles Island
1 Delaware Ave. North, Cohoes, NY
Open year-round, Dawn – Dusk
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/peeblesisland
Van Schaick Mansion
1 Van Schaick Ave., Cohoes, NY
Open Houses available on July 12th & August 16th, 1– 4pm, Guided tours available at 1:30 & 2:30pm
http://www.vanschaickmansion.org
Bennington Battlefield
NY-67, Hoosick Falls, NY
Open May 1 – November 11th, 8am – Sunset
2.7-mile trail system, interpretive signs, picnic area, information building, guided tours available with appointment
https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/12/sitedescription.aspx
Stillwater Blockhouse
692 Hudson Ave., Stillwater, NY
Open Memorial Day – Labor Day, Tuesdays – Sundays, 10am –4pm
https://www.stillwaterny.org/departments/parks-recreational/blockhouse-museum-park/
Saratoga Battlefield
648 Route 32, Stillwater, NY
Open April – November, 9am – 6pm
Visitor Center, Store, Museum, Film, Artifacts & Acres of beautiful fields and trails.
Self-Guided tours either along the Wilkinson Trail (4.2-mile loop through fields, woods & hills) or drive along the Tour Road. Optional audio tours, exhibits, and interpretive stations along the way.
https://www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm
Saratoga Monument
648 Route 32, Stillwater, NY
Grounds open Dawn – Dusk. Interior open seasonally, Sat – Sun, 10am – 4pm
https://www.nps.gov/places/saratoga-monument.htm
Schuyler Estate
4 Broad St., Schuylerville, NY
Hours season dependent– Fri-Sun, 10am-4pm, Grounds open sunrise to sunset, tours at 10am, 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am. Open house, 1-4pm
https://www.nps.gov/places/schuyler-estate.htm
Victory Woods
19 Schuyler Heights Dr., Schuylerville, NY
Open every day, Dawn – Dusk
A self-guided, 1/2-mile developed pathway with interpretive signage brings visitors through the Victory Woods, where the British retreated from the defeat at the Saratoga Battlefield. The path is made of plastic lumber and poly-coated pea gravel and is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Path is NOT maintained in winter.
https://www.nps.gov/sara/planyourvisit/victory-woods.htm
Saratoga Surrender Site
Schuylerville, NY
Open April 1 – November 30, Dawn – Dusk
https://www.nps.gov/places/saratoga-surrender-site.htm
Fort Hardy Park
Canal Street, Schuylerville, NY
Open Thursday – Sunday, 11am – 4pm, until October 31st
http://friendsofforthardypark.org/
Saratoga Siege Trail
1060-1066 US-4, Schuylerville, NY
https://saratogaplan.org/explore-parks-and-trails/the-saratoga-siege-trail/
Stark’s Knob
Starks Knob Rd., Schuylerville, NY
Open year-round, Dawn – Dusk
http://www.hudsoncrossingpark.org/
The Marshall House
136 US-4, Schuylerville, NY
Visits by Appointment Only– 518-587-9499
https://themarshallhouse.org/
Fort Ticonderoga
102 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga, NY
Open May 2 – October 25, 9:30am – 5pm
https://fortticonderoga.org
Olde Bryan Inn
123 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY
Open Wednesdays – Sundays, 11am – 9pm
Grab a meal in this historic restaurant that dates back to 1773
https://www.oldebryaninn.com/restaurant/history/
Herkimer Home State Historic Site
200 State Rt 169, Little Falls, NY
Open Dawn – Dusk. Guided tours available Memorial Day – Columbus Day, Wednesdays – Sundays from 10am – 4pm
Includes mansion, visitor center exhibits, grounds, recreated kitchen garden, remnants of an Erie Canal lock & scenic views of the Mohawk River
https://www.nps.gov/places/herkimer-home-state-historic-site.htm
Johnson Hall
139 Hall Avenue, Johnston, NY
Open dawn to dusk May 18th – October 9th
Guided tours available Wednesdays – Saturdays, 10am – 4pm
https://www.nps.gov/places/johnson-hall-state-historic-site.htm
Old Fort House Museum & Visitors Centers
29 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY
Tours offered daily, June – October, 1 – 4pm
https://www.oldforthousemuseum.com
Looking For More Information About Local 250th Events? Check Out:
https://saratogarevolutionaryexperience.com
