For eight years (1775-1783), the battles of the Revolutionary War crisscrossed New York. From the Canadian border to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, enslaved and free Blacks managed the shifting tides of the rebel’s fight against the British with mixed results. All of the changes did not come at one time, but eight years is wearing. Ultimately, Blacks living in the state paid a heavy toll.
Continue reading Eight Years of Chaos and Little Change: Black Experiences During the Revolutionary War in New YorkTag Archives: american-history
Revisit the American Revolution in New York State
New York State is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War this year. With more than 40 state historic sites and parks that have relevance to the eight-year-long conflict, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is gearing up to welcome visitors from around the country well beyond 2026! Whether you’re a history buff or just getting familiar with this period of the nation’s history, we invite you to join us in exploring the people, places and pivotal moments that connect New York to the American Revolution.
Returning Home: Solomon Northup at Saratoga Spa State Park
A statue of abolitionist and writer Solomon Northup, whose story was told in his memoir and the Academy Award-winning film Twelve Years a Slave, has provided a space for reflection at Saratoga Spa State Park this summer. The 13-foot bronze “Hope Out of Darkness” sculpture was unveiled during a July 10 ceremony attended by Northup descendants, area officials and community members on the lawn in front of the Lincoln Bathhouse.
Northup, a free-born Black American born in Minerva, NY, lived in Saratoga Springs with his wife and children for about seven years when he was tricked into joining a traveling circus. This sinister ploy led to Northup being kidnapped in Washington, D.C. in April 1841 and sold into slavery.
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New York State Parks and Historic Sites Blog 