cultural landscape report for saratoga battlefield

Cultural Landscape Report for Saratoga Battlefield

Figure 1.1. Diagram of New York State and Saratoga National Historical Park. 1941 Master Plan, Index Sheet. January1941. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

11


Figure 1.2. Saratoga battlefield, Saratoga National Historical Park. 1989. Park brochure.

13


Figure 1.3. Saratoga National Historical Park’s four units. “Cultural Landscapes Inventory,Schuyler House, Saratoga National Historical Park (draft).” 2000. Olmsted Center forLandscape Preservation.

15


Figure 2.1. Map of tribal territories in the northeast. Iroquois controlled much of central andwestern New York while Algonquin tribes controlled much of New England and Canada.1978. Re-drawn from Handbook of North American Indians. (Washington DC: SmithsonianInstitution, 1978).

25


Figu

re 2

.2.

Dra

win

g of

the

re-s

ubdi

visio

n of

a p

ortio

n of

the

Sara

toga

Pat

ent.

176

7. S

arat

oga

Nat

iona

l Hist

orica

l Par

k fil

es.

27


Figure 2.3. Portrait of Philip Schuyler, landlord of much of the Saratogabattlefield property, by John Trumbull. 1881. Copied by Jacob Lazarus.Saratoga National Historical Park files.

28


Figure 2.4. Lessees of 1777- Draft. “Draft Cultural Landscape Report for Saratoga NationalHistorical Park.” 1995. Saratoga National Historical Park.

29


Figure 3.1. 1777 Period Plan. Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation. 2000.

00


Figure 4.1. Benson Lossing’s engraving of the Neilson farm. The components of the farm are illustrated,including the house, barns, livestock, fencing, domestic yard, and public road. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book ofthe Revolution. Volume I. (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1859).

Figure 4.2. Diagram of a worm fence. Redrawnfrom Susan Allport’s Sermons in Stone; The Stone Wallsof New England and New York. (New York: W.W.Norton & Company, 1990).

85


Figure 4.3. Good construction techniques for a stone wall. George A. Martin,Fences, Gates and Bridges, A Practical Manual. (New York: O.Judd, 1887).

86


Figure 4.4. Archeological remains of a French drain at the former Woodworth Farm. David R.Starbuck. “The American Headquarters for the Battles of Saratoga: 1985-1986 Excavations.” (Troy, NY:Department of Sciences and Technology Studies. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1987), 26.

Figure 4.5. The Bemis Hotel was the second tavern at Bemis Heights. c. 1900. Saratoga NationalHistorical Park files.

87


Figure 4.6. Topographic Atlas of Saratoga County. Note the density of structures clustered around Bemis Heightsand the reference to the “Battle Grounds” near the scene of fighting at the top of the image. S.N. & D.G. Beers(Philadelphia, PA: Stones and Stewart, 1866).

88


Figure 4.7. Map of the Schuylerville and Upper Hudson Railroad showing the Champlain Canal, bridges, BemisHotel, and buildings of Bemis Heights. P.H. Green, Engineer. July, 1870. County Clerk’s Office, Ballston Spa, NY.Traced by W.F. Hamilton. February 1944. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

Figure 4.8. Mill at Wilbur’s Basin. 1902. Saratogian. February, 27, 1971. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

89


Figure 4.9. Dam at Wilbur’s Basin. One of the several dams within current parkboundaries that survived until the early 1900s. 1902. Saratogian. February, 27, 1971.Saratoga National Historical Park files.

90


Figu

re 4

.10.

The

inlet

of

Wilb

ur’s

Basin

, cre

ated

by

the

stee

p wa

lls o

f th

e K

rom

a K

ill, t

he fl

at la

nd o

f th

e H

udso

n Ri

ver f

lood

plain

, loc

ated

just

off

the

uppe

r lef

t of

the

map

, an

d th

e Ch

ampl

ain C

anal,

mad

e an

idea

l are

a fo

r bar

ge tr

affic

. H

olm

es a

nd H

utch

inso

n Ch

ampl

ain C

anal

Map

. 18

32-1

834.

Sara

toga

Nat

iona

l Hist

orica

l Par

k fil

es.

91


Figure 4.11. Engraving of the local landscape by Benson Lossing. He depicted the rural landscape and itsprimary components during the mid-1800s; agriculture and canal activity. Benson Lossing. Pictorial Field Book ofthe Revolution. Volume I. (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1859).

Figure 4.12. A view of Wilbur’s Basin in the early 1900’s. This was taken shortly before this segment ceased tobe a working portion of the Champlain Canal. 1919. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

92


Figu

re 4

.12.

Thi

s ear

ly 1

900’

s pho

to o

f Wilb

ur’s

Bas

in sh

ows t

he n

egle

cted

stat

e of

can

al in

fras

truc

ture

due

to it

s rec

ent r

econ

figur

atio

n th

at re

mov

ed b

a

Figu

re 4

.13.

Thi

s ear

ly 19

00s p

hoto

of

Wilb

ur’s

Basin

show

s the

neg

lecte

d st

ate

of c

anal

infra

stru

ctur

e. F

ence

s and

doc

ks h

ad fa

llen

into

disr

epair

. c.

1919

. Sa

rato

gaN

atio

nal H

istor

ical P

ark

files

.

93


Figure 5.1. After years of setbacks, the cornerstone of the Saratoga Monu-ment was placed at the 100th anniversary celebration. September 19, 1877.Saratoga National Historical Park files. #4330-A.

Figure 5.2. The Centennial Celebration of the State of New York. Coverof the state-wide celebration booklet. (Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons & Co.,Printers, 1877).

106


Figure 5.3. The Morgan monument was one of theearly monuments placed on the battlefield by Mrs.Walworth and the Saratoga Monument Association.1935. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

107


Figu

re 5

.4.

Det

ail o

f E

llen

Walw

orth

’s Ba

ttlef

ield

Map

. The

Bat

tles o

f Sa

ratog

a 17

77. T

he S

arat

oga

Mon

umen

t Asso

ciatio

n 18

56-1

891.

(A

lban

y, N

Y: Jo

el M

unse

ll’s S

ons,

1877

).

108


Figure 5.5. George O. Slingerland,battlefield promoter and Superinten-dent of the Saratoga battlefield, 1928-1932. c. 1930. Saratoga NationalHistorical Park files.

109


Figure 6.2. Great Ravine and surrounding landscape, cleared of forests and devoted to agriculture. c.1928. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

131


Figure 6.3. Replica Powder Magazine constructed by the state as part of the cluster ofresources at “Fort Neilson.” c. 1928. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

Figure 6.4. Replica Blockhouse, constructed at the Neilson farm during state ownership. c.1960. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

132


Figure 6.5. Cleared landscape at the Middle Ravine and surrounding landscape.August 1926. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

Figure 6.6. The conjectural Battle Well, surrounded by open fields, was constructedduring the state management period. c. 1928. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

133


Figure 6.7. Spectators at the Freeman farm during the Sesquicentennial of October 8, 1927 that attracted over160,000 people. Note the open character of the landscape and views available throughout the park. SaratogaNational Historical Park files.

Figure 6.8. The Sesquicentennial Pageant, with 6,000 participants. October 8, 1927. SaratogaNational Historical Park files.

134


Figure 6.9. Slingerland’s land parcel map, created to show early land acquisitionpriorities. By 1927, when the state acquired the battlefield, the park included the aboveshaded properties. 1926. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

135


Figure 6.10. This Army Corps of Engineers aerial photo served as the base for numerous mapping andresearch projects. 1927. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

136


Figure 6.11. The DAR’s Saratoga Battlefield Memorial was erected to coincide with the 200th

anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The monument was dedicated at a ceremony onOctober 10, 1931. Note this photo was taken prior to the grading and landscape improve-ments of the mid 1930s. 1931. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

Figure 6.12. Slingerland’s Memorial Grove of Elm trees was dedicated on the same day as theSaratoga Battlefield Memorial. The trees were dedicated to George Washington, the thirteenoriginal states, and the American generals and their aides. October 10, 1931. Saratoga NationalHistorical Park files.

137


Figure 6.13. Reverend Sprague’s Descriptive Guide of the Battlefield of Saratoga served as the interpre-tive text and park map for visitors during the state management period. c. 1930. SaratogaNational Historical Park files.

Figure 6.14. Descriptive metal marker placed throughout the battlefield by the state to mark monu-ments and waysides. c. 1940. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

138


Figure 6.16. Open landscape of the state management period, looking toward FortNeilson. c. 1940. Saratoga Natioanl Historical Park files.

Figure 6.15. Open landscape of the state management period. c. 1940. Saratoga NatioanlHistorical Park files.

139


Figure 7.1. Post card of Fort Neilson, the “Headquarters” area of the state park period.Note the ample parking area adjacent to the Blockhouse and the walkway connecting it tothe Neilson house and Period House. 1935. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

167


Figu

re 7

.2.

Topo

grap

hic

Map

of

Hea

dqua

rter

s Are

a sh

owin

g bu

ildin

gs, w

alkw

ays,

mon

umen

ts, a

nd w

ells t

hat e

xist

ed in

194

0. S

arat

oga

Nat

iona

l Hist

orica

lPa

rk fi

les.

168


Figure 7.3. Post card of Arnold’s headquarters, or “Period House,” located at the Neilsonfarm during the state management era. c. 1935. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

Figure 7.4. The pavilion at the Saratoga Battlefield Memorial. The pavilion was a place forrest and contemplation and served as a viewing platform for the memorial. c. 1935.Saratoga National Historical Park files.

169


Figure 7.5. A view of the Saratoga Battlefield Memorial in the 1960s. Saratoga NationalHistorical Park files.

Figure 7.6. Post card rendering of the battlefield landscape as seen from the blockhouse.Views of the rolling topography of the distant landscape are visible as well as the clearedfields around the Neilson farm. c. 1935. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

170


Figure 7.7. Map of monuments in the park and road system circa 1940. 1995. SaratogaNational Historical Park files.

Figure 7.8. The memorial to an unnamed hero of the battles of Saratoga. The monumentwas vandalized in the late 1930s and repaired. c. 1935. Saratoga National Historical Parkfiles.

171


Figure 7.9. Inventory of the structures in the park, shows a detailed description of the Gannon farm.Buildings, orchards, forests stands, and signage are noted. Composite of an undated survey of thebattlefield (c. 1940) and 1939 Topographic Information Sheet. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

172


Figure 7.10. View of the battlefield landscape from Route 4. c. 1940. Saratoga NationalHistorical Park files.

Figure 7.11. Cleared landscape from Appleman’s “Recommendations on Development Policyand Work Program for Saratoga National Historical Park.” The landscape appearance at thetime lended itself to the interpretive goals of the park; keeping views open for easy observationof landscape features and tactical areas. 1939. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

173


Figure 7.12. Cleared landscape from Appleman’s 1939 “Recommendations on Develop-ment Policy and Work Program for Saratoga National Historical Park.” Saratoga NationalHistorical Park files.

Figure 7.13. The sign details from Colonial National Historical Park that were used for reference in developingSaratoga’s interpretive signage. March 27, 1940. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

174


Figu

re 7

.14.

Wilk

inso

n M

ap.

This

map

, cre

ated

by

Briti

sh A

ssist

ant E

ngin

eer W

ilkin

son

shor

tly a

fter t

he b

attle

s, w

as a

ccur

ate

for e

stab

lishi

ng B

ritish

troo

p m

ove-

men

t. Th

is m

ap w

ere

relie

d on

hea

vily

in c

onst

ruct

ing

the

Briti

sh p

ositi

ons o

n th

e hi

stor

ical b

ase

map

. 17

77.

Sara

toga

Nat

iona

l Hist

orica

l Par

k fil

es.

175


Figu

re 7

.15.

The

firs

t hist

orica

l bas

e m

ap c

reat

ed b

y hi

stor

ian W

ilshi

n w

as a

mon

umen

tal w

ork

for f

utur

e pa

rk p

lanni

ng a

nd d

evelo

pmen

t. T

his m

ap w

as sy

nthe

sized

from

num

erou

s sch

olar

ly so

urce

s and

atte

mpt

ed to

acc

urat

ely lo

cate

the

field

/for

est p

atte

rns,

troop

mov

emen

ts, a

nd st

ruct

ures

that

play

ed a

key

role

in th

e ou

tcom

esof

the

battl

es o

f Sa

rato

ga.

1941

. Sa

rato

ga N

atio

nal H

istor

ical

Park

file

s 206

0 #

1.

160


Figure 7.16. This general development plan combined key features of the recently created interpretive plan and roadsand trails plan to graphically represent the park’s development goals. 1941. Saratoga National Historical Park files2060 #2.

Figure 7.17. Proposed “Location C,” near Bemis Heights, for the visitor center. Threeoptions were proposed during the late 1930s. The final decision was made in 1940 byPresident Roosevelt, who chose location “B,” or Fraser’s Hill, during a motor tour of thepark. c. 1938. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

179


Figure 7.18. President Franklin Roosevelt visiting the Park. 1940. Saratoga National HistoricalPark files.

Figure 7.19. President Franklin Roosevelt at the Blockhouse during his motortour of the park. 1940. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

180


Figu

re 7

.20.

Int

erpr

etiv

e To

ur P

lan; s

how

ing

the

sequ

ence

of

inte

rpre

tive

stop

s in

the

park

. 19

41.

Sara

toga

Nat

iona

l Hist

orica

l Par

k fil

es 2

060

#4.

163


Figure 7.21. Detail of the Interpretive Tour Plan. Note the label “view to be keptopen” on the south-west side of the proposed visitor center. 1941. SaratogaNational Historical Park files 2060 #4.

Figure 7.22. Photo of the cannon to be scrapped during World War II. c. 1942. Saratoga NationalHistorical Park files.

183


Figu

re 7

.23.

Rev

ised

Tour

Roa

d Pl

an sh

owin

g th

e ev

olut

ion

of th

e pa

rk’s

tour

road

plan

ning

. 19

43. S

arat

oga

Nat

iona

l Hist

orica

l Par

k fil

es 2

006.

165


Figure 7.24. Detail of 1944 Revised Road System plan, highlighting the note “unob-structed views to the battlefield,” around the viewshed of the proposed visitor centeron Fraser’s Hill. 1944. Saratoga National Historical Park files 2006 B.

Figure 7.25. Koke’s 1953 revision of a 1947 Vegetation Conditions Plan. This reportrecommended large areas of the battlefield be re-vegetated, marking a shift fromformer policy to keep the park landscape unobstructed for easy viewing. 1953.Saratoga National Historical Park files.

187


Figu

re 7

.26.

Veg

etat

ion

Trea

tmen

t Plan

, whe

re A

pplem

an a

nd S

nell

decid

e to

supp

ort r

efor

esta

tion

to m

ore

accu

rate

ly de

pict

177

7 fie

ld a

nd fo

rest

con

ditio

ns.

1951

. Sar

atog

a Nat

iona

l Hist

orica

l Par

k fil

es 2

046.

188


Figure 7.27 Detail of the 1951 Vegetation Treatment Plan. The diagonal lines represent areas torevert to forest and the vertical lines represent lands to be re-cultivated. This area aroundFraser’s Hill was recommended to be substantially replanted, departing from park policy ofearlier years. 1951. Saratoga National Historical Park files 2046.

189


Figu

re 7

.28.

Sne

ll’s U

pdat

ed H

istor

ic B

ase

Map

. 195

1. S

ARA

par

k fil

es.

169


Figu

re 7

.29.

Map

of

the

battl

efiel

d fr

om a

pam

phlet

dist

ribut

ed b

y th

e pa

rk.

This

map

use

d th

e up

date

d in

form

atio

n ga

ther

ed b

y Sn

ell a

bout

field

and

fore

st c

onfig

urat

ion.

195

9. S

arat

oga

Nat

iona

l Hist

orica

l Par

k .0

07cl.

CRB

IB #

0008

15.

193


Figu

re 7

.30.

Gen

eral

Dev

elopm

ent P

lan o

f 19

59.

The

final

desig

n of

the

park

tour

road

is re

pres

ente

d an

d it

is st

ampe

d “f

inal

plan

”. S

arat

oga

Nat

iona

l Hist

orica

l Par

k fil

es 3

003

B.

171


Figure 7.31. Detail of Fraser’s Hill from 1959 General Development Plan. The prior notes to “keep views open” areabsent. Saratoga National Historical Park files. 3003 B.

197


Figure 7.32. Detail of Bemis Heights Development Plan that outlined the changes to theformer “Headquarters” area due to the construction of the park tour road. 1959. SaratogaNational Historical Park files. SAR 3015 A.

198


Figu

re 7

.33.

Obl

ique

aer

ial p

hoto

of

the

Neil

son

farm

. Th

e to

ur ro

ad is

par

tially

com

plet

ed.

Not

e th

at th

e Sa

rato

ga B

attle

field

Mem

orial

Pav

ilion

still

rem

ains a

nd th

e hi

stor

ic ro

ad p

ast t

he N

eilso

n fa

rm is

still

in u

se.

c.195

9-19

64.

Sara

toga

Nat

iona

lH

istor

ical P

ark

files

.

199


Figure 7.35. Living history demostrations of battle encampments at Freeman’s farm. c. 1977. SaratogaNational Historical Park files.

Figure 7.36. Re-enactment of the battles of Saratoga during Bicentennial celebrations of 1977. SaratogaNational Historical Park files.

203


Figure 7.37. Existing Conditions Diagram. Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation. 2000

177


Figure 7.38. Proposed Niagara Mohawk Power Plant- “Before” View. 1984. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

Figure 7.39. Proposed Niagara Mohawk Power Plant- “After” View. 1984. Saratoga National Historical Park files.

207

cultural landscape report for saratoga battlefield

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