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Saratoga National Historical Park Hosts a Variety of Events this Summer Marking 250 Years of the United States

Saratoga National Historical Park offers a full schedule of special events this summer:

History Caravan – Saturdays, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, August 29 – 9:30am      Meet in the Visitor Center
Looking for a more in-depth, hands-on experience during your visit? Join a park volunteer for a caravan-style tour of the battlefield! Tours last 2.5-3 hours. Meet at the visitor center and follow along, making selected stops, in your own vehicle for as long as you like. May be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.

Declaring Independence – Thursday, July 2 – 1pm Visitor Center Theater
On the 250th anniversary of Congress’s vote to declare independence, join Ranger Garrett in investigating the first half of 1776. It was during those critical months that declaring Independence went from being a position held only by the most radical colonial leaders to a reality.

1776 the Musical Thursday, July 2 – 2:30pm Visitor Center Theater
Celebrate the day on which Congress voted for independence with the classic TV musical, 1776! Rated G, runtime 141 minutes.

Fourth of July Concert & Citizenship Ceremony – Saturday, July 4 – 10am Visitor Center
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by helping us welcome ten new citizens of the United States! The event will include a special musical program featuring members of the Racing City Chorus. We’ll wrap up the program with a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Large crowds are expected and parking is limited. Please carpool with family or friends if possible and be prepared to walk some distance from overflow parking areas.

Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence – Friday, July 4 – 2pm Visitor Center
Many Americans first heard the stirring words of the Declaration of Independence in a public, community setting. Join us as we recreate that experience on the document’s 250th birthday!

Sharing the Spirit of America – Wednesday, July 8 – 6pm Visitor Center Lawn
Saratoga National Historical Park joins the Hawai’i Semi-quincentennial Commission’s efforts for a nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence on the date it was first read to the people of Philadelphia 250 years ago. Find out more about the wider effort at https://america250.org/event/sharing-the-spirit-of-america/.

18th Century Toys & Games – Saturday, July 11 – 10am to 4pm Visitor Center
Discover (and try out!) toys and games from another time. Learn about daily life from the time of the Battles of Saratoga. This program was made possible by support from the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.

Trades Day – Sunday, July 12 – 10am to 4pm Visitor Center
The American Northern Army encamped at Saratoga Battlefield in 1777 included thousands of Continental soldiers from New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These soldiers wore a variety of colorful uniforms made of wool or linen, all of which were hand tailored. Their leather shoes were made by hand using a careful, painstaking process. Come to the park to see an 18th-century tailor and cordwainer (not a cobbler!) make these uniform parts using authentic period techniques.

Saratoga Battlefield Guide Tour – Saturday, July 18 – 9am Visitor Center
Join Pat Niles, the Official Saratoga Battlefield Guide (visit https://www.nps.gov/sara/planyourvisit/official-saratoga-battlefield-guide-program.htm for information on the program), for a free, one hour tour on a topic of his choice related to the Saratoga Campaign. Meet at the visitor center. Participants will then travel in their own vehicles to the tour location.

Tinsmithing Demonstration – Saturday, July 18 – 10 am to 4pm Visitor Center
A live tinsmith demonstration! At the time of the Battles of Saratoga, the tinsmith was an important part of both community and military life. Tinsmiths created dozens of useful items like cups, bowls, candle molds, lanterns, tea canisters, and other containers. They also provided armies with needed items such as oil flasks, canteens, document cases, cooking kettles, and even canister shot for artillery. Learn about the process and see a sampling of the many civilian and military wares a tinsmith could make! The tinsmith demonstration is weather sensitive and will be cancelled in the event of rain.

Community Reading of the Declaration of Independence – Sunday, July 19 – 2pm Visitor Center
The Declaration of Independence was broadcast through the new United States by voice. Locally, it was read at City Hall in Albany on July 19, 1776, and was “received with applause and satisfaction.” Join the National Park Service and members of the Saratoga County and Capitol Region communities once again publicly declaring independence! Featuring special guests, singers from Saratoga Voices!  Large crowds are expected and parking is limited. Please carpool with family or friends if possible and be prepared to walk some distance from overflow parking areas.

Paper Marbling Demonstrations – Saturday, August 1 – 10am to 4 m Visitor Center
Have you ever admired the beauty of an old book, especially the often vibrant, colorful patterns on the first and last pages? The process of creating these striking decorations is called paper marbling. Join us at the visitor center to see the process of this ancient artform in person.

Music of the New Nation by Ampersand – Tuesday, August 4 – 12pm Visitor Center
Ampersand’s special Revolutionary War-era program, “Music of the New Nation ” focuses on the experience of the home front and everyday people as they faced the battle for independence. Included are songs about the stirrings of revolution; the experiences of colonists in different walks of life; songs from soldiers on both sides of the conflict; a fiddle tune written by an enslaved person, and protest songs written at the time. This trio of musicians brings guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, hammered dulcimer, cello, and penny whistles to underscore rich vocal harmonies and great joy in sharing this traditional music with modern audiences.

Monumental Poetry – Thursday, August 6 – 12pm Saratoga Monument
Take an hour out of your celebration of Turning Point Historical Week and join us in Victory, NY for a poetry reading commemorating 250 years of the United States! You will experience poems from Colonial America, those inspired by the Battles of Saratoga, and the work of current poets curated by Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate, Jay Rogoff, as we reflect on the ideas and ideals of the American Revolution. This is a joint program involving the Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate, Turning Point Parade and Festival, and Saratoga National Historical Park.

Fort Ticonderoga Fife & Drum Corps – Saturday, August 15 – 1pm Visitor Center
Listen to stirring tunes that eased the drudgery of a long march, or the many calls that regulated activity in a fort. Explore how drumbeats, trilling fifes, and songs created an 18th-century world of military music.

The McKrells Concert – Tuesday, August 18 – 12pm Visitor Center
Back by popular demand! The McKrells will once again bring their rousing brand of Bluegrass to top of the hill next to the visitor center. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the exhilarating sounds along with the beautiful and historic views. This program was made possible by support from the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.

From Kosciuszko to Today: Poland and the United States – Saturday, August 29 – 1pm Visitor Center, Stop 2
Join us as we partner with Polish American Congress of Central New York to mark the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and celebrate Polish contributions to America’s victory in the Revolutionary War. The event will include music, literature, and history and conclude with a wreath-laying that will take place at the Kościuszko Monument at Tour Stop 2.

A complete list of events can be found at go.nps.gov/saraevents. For more information about Saratoga National Historical Park, please call the Visitor Center at

(518) 670-2985, visit www.nps.gov/sara, or find the park on Facebook or X @SaratogaNHP.