Historic Sites
Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site
Battle between the British forces of General John Burgoyne and Colonel Friedrich Baum against the American forces under Brigadier General John Stark and Colonel Seth Warner. This battle was fought in August 1777 in a British effort to capture American storehouses in Bennington to restock their depleting provisions. The British forces had underestimated the strength of their enemy and most of their men were killed or taken prisoner while the Americans sustained smaller losses. The British surrendered on October 17, 1777, after two unsuccessful battles in Saratoga. Additional facilities at the site include game fields. For information call: (518)279-1155
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Crailo State Historic Site
Crailo State Historic Site is a museum of the Dutch in the upper Hudson Valley. Originally a part of the vast landholding called the Manor or Patroonship of Rensselaerswyck, the Crailo farm was named after the Van Rensselaer's estate in the Netherlands, variously spelled Crayloo or Cralo in the 17th century, and meaning "crows' wood" in Dutch.
Crailo was probably built in the early 18th century by Hendrick Van Rensselaer, grandson of the First Patroon. Hendrick died in 1740 and his eldest son, Johannes, inherited Crailo. He remodeled the house and added an east wing in the Georgian style, reflecting the increasing influence of the English on the Albany-area Dutch.
In the late 18th century, Crailo was remodeled in the Federal style. It served as a boys' boarding school in the 1840s and later as a church rectory. Each new venture brought more changes to the structure. In 1924 Crailo was donated to New York State for development as a museum.
Crailo today tells the story of the early Dutch inhabitants of the upper Hudson Valley through exhibits highlighting archeological finds from the Albany Fort Orange excavations, special programs, and guided tours of the museum. For information call: (518)463-8738
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Johnson Hall State Historic Site
As the largest single landowner and most influential individual in the settlement of the Mohawk Valley, William Johnson had prestige and leadership which extended beyond the region. His genius in dealing and trading with the Indians had a lasting impact on their relationship with the English, and influenced England's victory in the struggle for control of North America.
Sir William began plans in February 1763 for a house that would reflect his position. A Georgian house of wood made to look like stone, Johnson Hall became the nucleus of a working estate designed to encourage settlement and further Johnson's control of his lands. A mill, blacksmith shop, Indian store, barns, and other necessary buildings were added, as well as housing for servants.
In 1774, during a tense conference with 600 Indians at Johnson Hall, Sir William collapsed and died. Upon Sir William's death, Johnson Hall passed to his son, John. During the American Revolution, John chose to remain loyal to the Crown and fled to Canada. Johnson Hall was confiscated in 1779 by the State of New York as Loyalist property and was subsequently sold at auction. The house remained a private residence until 1906, when New York State acquired it as a historic site.
Vistors are encouraged to walk the grounds and gardens and imagine themselves back in a time when Johnson Hall bustled with activity as Sir William's home and business headquarters. House tours are offered. For information call: (518)762-8712
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Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site
Considered to be a significant turning point in the War of Independence, the Battle of Oriskany, fought on August 6, 1777, has been described as one of the bloodiest battles of the war. A monument was dedicated on August 6, 1884, to serve as a memorial to those who fought so bravely and tenaciously to preserve freedom. Oriskany Battlefied was designated a New York State historic site in 1927. In recognition of the site's exceptional historic value, the battlefield was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963. Today, visitors to the battlefield can walk the site, read a series of interpretive signs, and visit a historic encampment during a special event.
In August 1777, while the British were attacking Fort Stanwix, Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer assembled 800 troops, supported by 60 allied Oneida warriors, and marched from Fort Dayton to aid in the seige. Upon hearing of Herkimer's advance, British and Tory troops under Sir John Johnson and Col. John Butler, and Indian forces led by Mohawk Joseph Brant, set a trap in a boggy ravine west of Oriskany Creek. As the unsuspecting American troops crossed the swampy bottom and marched up the ravine, the British attacked. The patriots fought in brutal hand-to-hand combat, and in spite of heavy losses, caused the Seneca and the Mohawks, followed by the British and Tories to retreat. It was in this battle that General Herkimer received the wound to his leg which led to his death ten days later. For information call: (315)768-7224
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Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
Philip Schuyler (1733-1804), a descendant of Albany's earliest settlers, chose an 80-acre parcel of farmland just south of the city of Albany as the site for his home. Completed in 1763 and built in the elegant Georgian style, Schuyler's mansion evoked the praise of many travelers who described it in their journals. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Benedict Arnold were among Schuyler's visitors. Alexander Hamilton, who married Schuyler's daughter at the mansion in 1780, stayed at the house frequently.
Following Schuyler's death in 1804, the mansion was sold and the land divided and sold to speculators. The house was used as a private residence by several different families until 1886, when the mansion became a Roman Catholic orphanage. In 1912 it was purchased by the State of New York and on October 17, 1917, the 140th anniversary of General Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga, it was dedicated as a state historic site.
Schuyler Mansion, on its small urban plot, is all that remains of an estate that once embraced elaborate gardens, orchards, fields, and numerous farm buildings. Schuyler Mansion is being restored to the splendour of the 1790s when Philip Schuyler decorated it in the latest style. The site also offers various outreach programs to school groups. For information call: (518)434-0834
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Tourist Attractions
Empire State Building
New York's famous Empire State Building, an U.S. National Historic Landmark, soars more than a quarter of a mile into the atmosphere above the heart of Manhattan. The inspiring views from the two observatories, on the 86th and 102nd floor have enthralled more than 117 million people to date.
The building, one of the main tourist attractions when visiting New York City, offers an abundant variety of activities for its visitors. One can tour the observatories, 365 days per year, day and night, rain or shine, for breathtaking views of Manhattan and beyond. Also, there are 3 restaurants and three coffee shops, several specialty boutiques, a post office and two banks in addition to the plethora of surrounding restaurant and nightlife activity. For information call: (212)736-3100
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Statue of Liberty
Located in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is one of the most universal symbols of political freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886 and was designated a National Monument on October 15, 1924. The Statue was extensively restored in time for her spectacular centennial on July 4, 1986.
Nearby Ellis Island was incorporated as part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument on May 11, 1965. Between 1892 and 1954, approximately 12 million steerage and third class steamship passengers who entered the United States through the port of New York were legally and medically inspected at Ellis Island. Reopened on September 10, 1990 after a massive restoration, the Main Building on Ellis Island is now a museum dedicated to the history of immigration and the important role this island claimed during the mass migration of humanity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For information call: (212)363-7620
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Seabreeze Amusement Park
Come Enjoy attractions for little kids, big kids, "thrill-seekers" and even "passive participants". It's not too big and not too small. It's a clean, safe family-friendly environment with a variety of price options. It's just around the corner, at just the right price. Seabreeze: just right for family fun! For information call: (716)323-1900
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Hudson Valley Raptor Center
Birds of prey are struggling merely to survive. World-wide twenty-nine species are endangered with twelve on the brink of extinction. Despite laws for their protection, their numbers continue to decline. Located on a major migratory flyway, the Hudson Valley Raptor Center is focused solely on the survival of birds of prey. Every year, thousands of migrating raptors use the Hudson Valley as a "superhighway" in the sky. What happens to birds along this vital flyway affects raptor populations from the entire eastern half of the United States and Canada. For information call: (914)758-6957
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collections include nearly three million works of art spanning 5,000 years of world culture, from prehistory to the present. For information call: (212)535-7710
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