Saratoga — Kosciuszko's Code

Your quest begins at the General Philip Schuyler House in Schuylerville, a Georgian-style residence built in 1762 by Philip Schuyler, a major general in the Continental Army. This country retreat, located on a 90-acre estate overlooking the Hudson River, served as headquarters during the Saratoga Campaign in 1777. It was here that Schuyler hosted British General John Burgoyne after his surrender on October 17, 1777, a key event following the Battles of Saratoga. Managed by the National Park Service since 1966 and part of Saratoga National Historical Park, this house is a living testament to hospitality even in wartime.

Continue towards the Saratoga Monument, a 150-foot obelisk commemorating the Battles of Saratoga. Its construction began in 1825 and it was dedicated in 1883, overlooking the battlefields from high ground. Although originally planned for 300 feet, funding constraints reduced its height. Restored between 2007 and 2011 with a $2.5 million investment by the National Park Service, this monument recalls the American victory and the turning point of the American Revolutionary War. It is on its sides that your application will reveal hidden clues, guiding you through history.

The route then takes you to Saratoga National Historical Park, site of the Battles of Saratoga in September-October 1777, recognized as the Turning Point of the Revolution. This 3,600-acre park preserves period earthworks and redoubts, and offers 15 miles of trails, including the Victory Woods Trail. The visitor center, located at 648 Route 32, Stillwater, NY 12170, offers a Battlefield Road Audio Tour with 10 narrative stops. Designated a National Historic Site in 1938 and expanded to National Historical Park in 1980, this place is a total immersion in New York's heritage.

Explore the Schuylerville Historic District, the village formerly known as Saratoga during the Revolutionary War. This district was the site of the British encampment in 1777 and features 18th and 19th-century architecture along Broad Street, within walking distance of the Schuyler House. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, it includes buildings from the 1760s onwards. The village overlooks the Hudson River, a crucial waterway for Burgoyne's supply lines in 1777 and a point of American defense post-surrender, designated an American Heritage River in 1997 by the EPA.

Upon completing your themed circuit, you will have deciphered Kościuszko's code and relived the key moments that shaped the history of Saratoga and New York. This GPS treasure hunt will have introduced you to the heritage of the American Revolution, from the General Philip Schuyler House to the Saratoga Monument, passing through Saratoga National Historical Park and the Schuylerville Historic District. Each stage of this interactive visit will have highlighted the strategic density of the Hudson River and the importance of October 17, 1777. You will not only take away the satisfaction of having solved the enigma, but also a deep understanding of these New York monuments and Saratoga's role in the birth of the United States.