Saratoga County Board of Supervisors calls for Saratoga National Historical Park name change

STILLWATER, N.Y. — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors is asking Congress and the National Park Service to rename Saratoga National Historical Park.

According to a press release, the request comes following a resolution passed unanimously at the Board’s most recent meeting. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the National Park Service, and the members of the United States Congress representing the County of Saratoga.

If granted, the park would be renamed from Saratoga National Historical Park to Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

As stated in the resolution, county supervisors believe that the change would more accurately reflect the historical significance of the site, emphasize the crucial military engagements that took place, and enhance the public understanding and appreciation of its historical importance.

The Saratoga National Historic Park commemorates the Battles of Saratoga, which were pivotal in securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. The park was originally named Saratoga Battlefield Park when it was designated a historical site in the Towns of Saratoga and Stillwater.

No changes were made when it was designated a New York State historical site in 1927. When it became a national park in 1938, the word “battlefield” was dropped from its name.

The name change request is being made as Saratoga County commemorates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, which will happen in 2027. The county’s “Saratoga: America’s Turning Point” initiative is a multi-year plan to celebrate the anniversary through promotion of heritage tourism, preservation of historical sites, and education of the historical significance these battles had in our country’s founding.

“Saratoga County is home of hallowed ground marking the Turning Point of the American Revolution and we are thankful to the National Park Service for their longstanding relationship with Saratoga County. We request the National Historical Park return to its original name, which distinguishes the park as a historical battlefield and provides a unique identifier to clearly inform tourists of the significance of the park to American independence,” Board Chairman Phil Barrett (Clifton Park) said in the release.

To read the resolution or view the Board Meeting webcast, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov.