Tag Archives: history

Historic Sites, history, Park Projects, State History

Returning Home: Solomon Northup at Saratoga Spa State Park

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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.  

The Solomon Northup “Hope Out of Darkness” statue is on view in front of the Lincoln Bathhouse (65 South Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866) through Oct. 19, 2025.  

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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Family Fun, Fun & Games, Recreation, Winter Activities

How to Save Money All Year at State Parks and Historic Sites

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Our system of parks and historic sites was founded on the principle that everyone deserves affordable access to the outdoors. A century later, New York State Parks and Historic Sites is still helping New Yorkers reap the physical and mental benefits of connecting with nature and history. While our low fees for camping, park day-use, historic site admission, and golf are within the reach of most of our guests, there are always ways to save even more in every season. Read on to check out some pro tips!

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Camping, Family Fun, Fun & Games, Hiking, Historic Sites, Recreation

Road Trip to These Hidden-Gem Parks and Historic Sites

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School’s out, the temperature is rising, and everyone’s thoughts are turning to summer getaways. If you’re looking for a new place to spend an afternoon, a weekend, or longer and not break the bank doing it, you’ve come to the right place. We asked our Fun Experts to take you on a tour of some of the lesser-known, hidden-gem spots in our system, and they delivered: fascinating history, peaceful lakeside oases, and camping away from the crowds. Let’s go!

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history, Research, State History

The Lavender Hill Commune and LGBTQ Liberation in Central New York

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The Stonewall Inn, a State Historic Site in our system, is the most well-known place in LGBTQ American history. In June 1969, following a routine police raid, patrons at the Mafia-run Stonewall Inn, as well as young queer and trans people who lived or regularly congregated in Greenwich Village, spontaneously erupted in multiple nights of protest. The event was a turning point in the ongoing LGBTQ rights movement and sparked its growth in New York City, New York State, and across the nation. Organizations and groups formed around the country to promote LGBTQ rights, and thousands of people became active in the movement.

LGBTQ history often focuses on large coastal cities like New York and San Francisco. However, the gay liberation movement that emerged in the wake of Stonewall reverberated in small towns and rural settings as well. One such example is the Lavender Hill commune in central New York, listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places on December 5, 2024, and in the National Register of Historic Places on February 3, 2025.

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Historic Sites, history, State History

175 Years of Collecting Historic Objects in New York State 

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Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh includes the Hasbrouck House and the Museum Building (shown in background). The Hasbrouck House is furnished to reflect when General George Washington was using it as his headquarters during the American Revolutionary War. The Museum Building houses and displays historic artifacts and exhibitions.

In April 1850, the 1750 Hasbrouck House in Newburgh was transformed into New York State’s first state historic site: Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site. 

1895 view of the site and grounds. Washington’s Headquarters was the first state-owned historic site in New York.

Since then, New York State has collected objects, archival materials, and other items related to New York’s history. 2025 marks the 175th anniversary of New York’s state historic sites – which now number over 35 locations, over a million historic objects, and over three million archaeological objects. 

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