Historical Tourism in New York State Counties
Canada | Clinton County | Essex
County | Warren County | Washington
County | Saratoga County | Rensselaer
County | Schoharie County | Albany
County | Columbia County | Ulster County | Dutchess
County | Orange County | Rockland
County | Westchester County | Bronx | Manhattan | Brooklyn | Staten
Island
Fort Chambly National Historic Site, Quebec, CAN
This stone fortress fell to the British in 1760 during the French
and Indian War. It was later occupied by invading Americans during the Revolutionary
War. Guided tours are available. (450) 658-1585
Valcour Island, Lake Champlain, NY
Benedict Arnold led a makeshift fleet of ships against the British
Navy on Lake Champlain near Plattsburgh, delaying the southward advance
of the British for a year. Today, the island is a state park with historic
markers and the Bluff Point Lighthouse. (518) 561-0340
Crown
Point Historic Site, Crown Point, NY
The French first built Fort St. Fréderic here in 1734. In 1759, British
troops built "His Majesty's Fort at Crown Point." Colonists captured
the fort in 1775, but British troops later retook it. Ruins remain. (800)
447-5224 or (518) 597-3666
Fort Ticonderoga,
Ticonderoga, NY
Overlooking Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga was an important site for a
number of battles in the French and Indian and Revolutionary
wars. Tours of the preserved fort include re-enactments and displays
of period weapons.
Fort
William Henry, Lake George, NY
Relive the important French
and Indian War Battle at Fort William Henry made famous in James
Fenimore Cooper's "Last of the Mohicans." Guides wearing period
garb offer tours of the log fortress and demonstrate cannon and musket firings.
(518) 668-5471
Fort
George and Battlefield Park, Lake George, NY
This site echoes the history of three wars, The French and Indian, the American
Revolution and the War of 1812-1815. Remainders of entrenchments, buildings,
redoubts, and a citadel can be seen today. Nearby
is a monument
of Gen. William Johnson and Mohawk King Hendrick discussing strategy before
their victory over the French in 1755. (518) 623-1200 or (518) 897-1200
Knox Trail, Lake George, NY
Henry Knox and his men moved 59 pieces of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga
to Boston. The artillery weighed 119,000 pounds, and 82 sleds and teams of
oxen made the 300-mile trip in 40 days. Markers denote the trail.
(518) 761-6366, ext. 5100
Bloody Pond, Queensbury, NY
The site of a massacre of approximately 200 French by colonists in
1755. Bodies fell near the pond and stained it red. It is in this conflict
that Robert Rogers debuted as a soldier (ranger).
(518) 761-6366, ext. 5100
Half-Way Brook, Queensbury, NY
A strategic location between Lake George and the Fort Edward stretch of
the Hudson River because it was the connection for a water route from
New York City to Quebec. Two major massacres occurred on the site,
which is noted by markers. (518) 761-6366, ext. 5100
Birthplace of the U.S. Navy, Whitehall, NY
Visit the Skenesborough Museum and tour the area where, under the command
of Benedict Arnold, colonists built and sailed this country's first warships,
earning Whitehall the designation "Birthplace of the U.S. Navy." (518)
499-0716
Rogers Island, Fort Edward, NY
Located on the Hudson River, the island was home to Capt. Robert Rogers'
Rangers. The island housed British barracks during the French and Indian
War and a patriot garrison during the Revolutionary
War. Stop by the visitors center. (518) 747-3693
Old Fort House Museum, Fort Edward, NY
Built in 1772, the Old Fort House is one of the oldest frame structures in
New York. It was headquarters to both British and American generals in the
Revolutionary War. (518) 747-9600
Revolutionary War Cemetery, Salem, NY
More than 100 Revolutionary
War soldiers are buried in this cemetery that was established in 1769.
(518) 854-9296
Cooper's Cave, South Glens Falls, NY
This cave in the middle of the Hudson River was the setting for
an important segment of James Fenimore Cooper's classic novel "Last
of the Mohicans." A viewing platform is open to the public. (518)
793-1455
Parks-Bentley House, South Glens Falls, NY
Daniel Parks, a Revolutionary
War veteran, moved his family here in 1773 and built up much of the town's
industry. Tours are available. (518) 745-7741
Schuyler House,
Schuylerville, NY
The country home of General Philip Schuyler. British troops burned the original
house and outbuildings. The present house was rebuilt in 1777 and is open
for tours. (518) 664-9821
Saratoga National
Historical Park, Stillwater, NY
The Battles of Saratoga rank among the 15 most decisive battles in world
history. The patriots' victory in 1777 led France to recognize the United
States and ally itself with the colonists. Self-guided tours. (518) 664-9821
The
Stillwater Blockhouse, Stillwater, NY
Visit this replica of the log blockhouses built by colonists to serve as
protection during the French and Indian
War. (518) 664-1847, ext. 11
The Saratoga Monument,
Victory, NY
A 155-foot-tall monument marks the site where Gen. Burgoyne surrendered to
Gen. Gates on Oct. 17, 1777. (518) 664-9821
Bennington
Battlefield Site, Hoosick Falls, NY
In August 1777, British troops attacked an American storehouse here to restore
their provisions, but were turned back. The site has informative signs and
displays. (518) 279-1155
Old Stone Fort Museum, Schoharie, NY
Exhibits and costumed interpreters tell the story of this church that was
fortified and attacked during the Revolutionary
War. (518) 295-7192
Schuyler
Mansion State Historic Site, Albany, NY
Philip Schuyler was named a delegate to the Continental Congress,
which put him in command of the Northern Department. This site was
the center of his military activities and is open to the public. (518)
434-0834
Clermont
State Historic Site, Germantown, NY
Robert Livingston Jr. helped draft the Declaration of Independence and
gave Washington the first oath of office. The Livingston family lived here
for more than 230 years. Stop by the visitors center. (518) 537-4240
Old
Senate House Historic Site, Kingston, NY
A limestone building here housed the first meeting of New
York's newly organized State Senate in 1777 after the British chased
the Senate from New York City. Visit the nearby museum. (845) 338-2786
New
Windsor Cantonment, Vails Gate, NY
General Washington moved his troops here to establish winter quarters
in 1782 and his men built nearly 600 log huts. Stop by the visitors
center. (845) 561-1765
Knox's
Headquarters, Vails Gate, NY
Tours are available of this site, where Major General Henry Knox commanded
the artillery of Washington's army. (845) 561-5498
Van Wyck Homestead Museum, Fishkill, NY
The Van Wyck house was requisitioned by the Continental Army as an officers'
headquarters, and was visited by Washington, Alexander Hamilton and John
Jay, among others. The museum is open seasonally. (845) 896-9560
Mount Gulian, Beacon, NY
This site served as the headquarters for General Baron von Steuben, the Continental
Army drillmaster and inspector general who turned the colonists into a disciplined
fighting force. Re-enactors visit on a seasonal basis. (845) 831-8172
Madam Brett Homestead, Beacon, NY
The Brett family opened their home as a shelter to patriot soldiers and as
a supply house for the military. The home was visited by Washington, Baron
von Steuben, and others. Dutchess County's oldest homestead, Open by
appointment. (845) 831-6533
United States Military
Academy, West Point, NY
The Military Academy at West Point was the site of several forts used during
the Revolution,
including Fort Putnam. Take a tour and visit the museum. (845) 938-2638
Constitution
Island and the Warner House, West Point, NY
A boat trip across the Hudson from the U.S. Military Academy takes
you to a Revolutionary
War fort and the historic 17-room Warner House with period furnishings.
(845) 446-8676
Washington's
Headquarters, Newburgh, NY
General George Washington made his military headquarters here between April
1782 and August 1783. It is the birthplace of the Badge of Military Merit,
the forerunner of the Purple Heart. The site is open on a seasonal basis.
(845) 562-1195
Stony
Point Battlefield, Stony Point, NY
In the last major battle in the north, General "Mad" Anthony
Wayne led a surprise attack on the British garrison here in 1779. The
oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River marks the site.
(845) 786-2521
John
Jay Homestead, Katonah, NY
John Jay served in more high offices than any other founding father:
President of the Continental Congress, Governor of New York and Chief
Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Tours of his home are available.
(914) 232-8199
Van
Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
This 18th-century stone manor home re-creates what life was like
for citizens of a newly free America and
includes original furnishings. An 18th-century tavern is also located
on the grounds. (914) 271-8981
St. Paul's Church,
Mount Vernon, NY
This church was used as a hospital and burial site following the
Revolutionary War battle at Pell's Point, and was the scene of several military
developments for the next six years. Walking tours are offered. (914)
667-4116
Valentine Varian House, Museum of Bronx History, Bronx,
NY
This fieldstone farmhouse, built in 1758, provides a view of what life was
like during the Revolutionary
War in New
York. Tours and exhibits. (718) 881-8900
Fraunces'
Tavern Museum, Manhattan, NY
Now a colonial history museum, Fraunces' opened as a tavern in
the 1760s and it served as a meeting place for revolutionaries. When
New York was the Capital, Fraunces' Tavern housed the Departments of
Foreign Affairs, the Treasury, and War. Washington delivered his famous
farewell here. (212) 425-1778
Federal Hall National
Memorial, Manhattan, NY
This site first served as New
York's City Hall and later as home to the first U.S. Congress. George
Washington was inaugurated here on April 30, 1789. A museum offers a variety
of exhibits. (212) 825-6888
Hamilton Grange
National Memorial, Manhattan, NY
The home of founding father Alexander Hamilton is preserved for public visits.
Hamilton supported the patriots' cause, and was commissioned as a Captain
of the Artillery and then aide-de-camp to George Washington. (212)
825-6888
Battle of Brooklyn Monument, Brooklyn, NY
Prospect Park is home to this monument commemorating George Washington's
narrow escape across the East River in the face of British troops advancing
through Jamaica Pass. (718) 857-0009
Old Stone House Interpretive Center, Brooklyn, NY
This replica of a 1699 Dutch farmhouse features exhibits on the Revolutionary
War and the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. (718) 768-3195
Conference House (Billop Manor House), Staten Island, NY
This fieldstone house, open to the public, was the site of the 1776 Staten
Island Peace Conference where the British tried to convince Ben Franklin,
John Adams and Edward Rutledge that the colonists should remain loyal
to Britain. (718) 984-2086
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