The History Behind Saratoga's Battle Monument

Today, I was driving up to Greenwich, NY to scout out an event we had planned. On my way up, I was once again captivated by the stunning beauty of the region, but one thing caught my eye.

As I was driving through Schuylerville, I noticed a massive Obelisk sticking out of the ground, and wondered what on earth it could be. So, I did some digging...

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What is the Saratoga Monument

As you can probably put together by the title, this piece of architecture is known as the Saratoga Monument, and it stands for something very important. It was erected as a way to commemorate British Lt. General John Burgoyne's surrender to U.S. Armed Forces in the Battle of Saratoga on October 17, 1777.

Credit: Canva

Why is this noteworthy? Well, it was the first time in history that the British Imperial Army surrendered to a foreign nation. As a mark of this incredible victory, construction began on the monument 100 years after the battle, on October 17, 1877.

The Saratoga Monument Today

Aside from marking a massive piece of United States history, the monument now stands as a huge draw for both tourists and locals alike. The monument is open from June 1st to October 12th, where you can ascend the 155-foot structure for a 360 degree view of the Hudson River Valley.

Tours are self guided, and can take as little as 15 minutes, but there's so much more at the Saratoga Surrender Site. So if you're a tourist, local, or just passing through, there's no better way to see a massive part of our nation's history.

Look at The Dazzling Greenwich Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade Through the Years

Take a look at this amazing holiday tradition. This is the Greenwich Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade. It started in 2013 for locals to decorate their tractors and parade through town displaying the spirit of the holidays.

Gallery Credit: Greenwich Lighted Tractor Parade Facebook page; Greenwich Lighted Tractor Parade website

Look-Mary Lou Whitney's Sprawling Saratoga Estate Back On Market

This beautiful 120+ acre property in Saratoga Springs, once owned by the late Marylou Whitney and her late husband John Hendrickson, is rich in history and charm.

The 6,218 sq ft mansion, built in 1851, offers 7 bedrooms, 7 full baths, and 2 half baths. It features 3 covered porches, a pool house with a heated pool and gym, a chapel, tennis courts, rose gardens, a 2-bay heated garage, a 9-bay heated garage with a generator, a gatehouse, a root cellar, an office building, a maintenance building, and 2 single-family ranch homes.

The sale includes the mansion’s furniture but excludes accessories, personal items, and the Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney "Daphne" statue from the rose garden.

Check out the eclectic rooms and the sprawling estate. It is now back on the market.

Gallery Credit: 2024 Global MLS