July was another month of firsts at the battlefield. In addition to the usual tours and meetings, we welcomed participants in Fort Ticonderoga's Teacher Institute that included teachers from 9 different states. We were also fortunate to land an internationally acclaimed scholar, Andrew O'Shaughnessey, to speak at the high school on British leadership during the Revolutionary War.
He argued that a variety of complex, interrelating factors rather than simple incompetence on the part of key figures led to British defeat. This was thanks to money received through the American Battlefield Protection Program and the work of folks at WCNY.
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| Andrew O'shaughnessey addresses visitors at the school auditorium in Hoosick Falls. He was also kind enough to tour the site with David Pitlyk and offer a few comments for use in WCNY's upcoming documentary on New York State Revolutionary War battlefields. |
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| Pokemon Go is becoming hugely popular. Evidently Hessian Hill hosts a PokeGym. |
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The month of August is of course an auspicious one at Bennington. This year marks the 239th anniversary of the battle. The planned commemoration on August 16th at 7:00 PM will include a salute from the 2nd Continental Regiment of Artillery and representatives from the Hoosick Township Historical Society as well as the SAR and DAR. Speakers in period clothing will share both original writings and those of battle participants.
In addition to the commemoration, we will continue our Movies under the Stars series on the grounds of the caretakers house, screening movies set during the Revolutionary War on August 9th at 8:00 PM and August 23rd at 8:00 PM. By necessity, the titles remain something of a secret until the day of the screening but feel free to visit the site or call with any questions.
The Bennington Battlefield Book Discussion Group was looking for a change of scenery, so we will convene at Brown's Walloomsac Taproom (the Hoosick location rather than the Troy location) August 18th at 7:00 PM. We will discuss parts I & II of The Men Who Lost America.
On August 14th a lecture on Loyalists and the Battle of Bennington will be offered at the Bennington Museum at 2:30 PM as part of Vermont's Battle Weekend. This was a popular program in the winter and we are pleased to offer it again.
Finally, the birth of General John Stark will be celebrated with a tour followed by coffee and cake August 28th at 1:00 PM. We hope to see you there and begin a new tradition!
Best,
David Pitlyk
Historic Site Assistant
Bennington Battlefield
518-860-9094 |
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