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Eleven New Acres Around the Loyalist Breastworks


Visitors to the battlefield will be able to experience the loyalist position in a new way. One can now walk in the shoes of attacking patriots thanks to a new acquisition. In addition to a 7.5 acre parcel where the fighting was hottest, a 3.5 acre strip along the river bank protects a ford likely utilized by fleeing loyalists. This new land, located on Cottrell Road near Route 67 in the town of Hoosick, was purchased using $27,000 from the state Environmental Protection Fund.

A cultural resource survey funded by a grant provided by the American Battlefield Protection Program provided ground truth for the theories proposed by Philip Lord in his trailblazing book, War Over Walloomscoick. This combination of fieldwork and research strongly supported the importance of expansion around this location in order to protect the loyalist breastwork position itself, often referred to as the Tory Fort, as well as avenues of approach and withdrawal.

Both parcels will provide unique educational, recreational and practical benefits to the site going forward. The new property will allow anglers easy access to the Walloomsac and will play a major role in any future historical reenactments. The Friends of the Bennington Battlefield have already procured an interpretive panel for this location through a Parks & Trails NY grant which will be installed in the spring.

"This battlefield is an important part of New York's role in the American Revolution," said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. "Our acquisition of more of this battlefield protects and expands this heritage."