Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site located in the Town of Hoosick, will host a speaker series on topics related to the Revolutionary War in the month of May.[private] The presentations will include British tactics, German auxiliaries, causes of the Revolution, the Battle Monument, an early insurrectionist against the U.S. government and the Battle of Hubbardton. The talks will be given on the grounds of the battlefield near the main parking area or at the nearby Barnett House located at 30 Caretakers Road, both accessible from NYS RT-67. More information may be obtained by visiting http://www.benningtonbattlefield.org/events/ or by contacting David Pitlyk, Historic Site Assistant, at 518-860-9094 or david.pitlyk@parks.ny.gov. The talks are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.
“Drill and Tactics of the British Army”
Sunday, May 7, 1 pm at Bennington Battlefield, NYS Rte. 67
Matthew Zembo, Assistant Professor of History at Hudson Valley Community College and 2013 UELAC Loyalist Scholarship Award Recipient, will discuss the tactics of the British during the American War of Independence. His presentation, grounded in research and reenacting experience, is sure to correct many popular misconceptions.
“Hessians’ in the American Revolutionary War”
Sunday, May 14, 1 pm at Barnett House, 30 Caretakers Rd.
Eric Schnitzer, Park Ranger at Saratoga National Historical Park, will provide an overview of the 37,000 German soldiers hired by the British from seven German nation states during the war. The program will briefly identify each state, address common myths associated with the German soldiers, and focus on the Germans who served under General Burgoyne in 1777.
“Reasons for Revolution”
Saturday, May 20, 1 pm at Barnett House, 30 Caretakers Rd.
Paul Andriscin, Associate Professor of US History at the College of St. Joseph and Site Interpreter at Mt. Independence will deliver a program on the causes of the American Revolution. The presentation aims to give nuance to events that are generally glossed over.
“The Bennington Battle Monument:
Why Vermont?”
Sunday, May 21, 1 pm at Bennington Battlefield, NYS Rte. 67
Marylou Chicote, Site Administrator of the Bennington Battle Monument, will chart the series of events and prominent figures that determined the placement of the iconic structure commemorating the Battle of Bennington, fought in Walloomsac, New York.
“Samuel Ely – From Court Martial at the Battle of Bennington to Central Role in the First Armed Rebellion Against the United States of America – the June 1782 ‘Ely’s Insurrection’”
Saturday, May 27, 1 pm at Bennington Battlefield, NYS Rte. 67
Philip Kantor, historian, author and member of the Conway Historical Society will speak on a larger than life figure. Samuel Ely was a Yale graduate, ordained Minister, Battle of Bennington veteran, and namesake of the first domestic armed rebellion against the United States – when thousands gathered in June and July 1782 to break Ely out of jail and engage units of the Continental Army in open conflict. Come and hear about this fascinating man, and why Gen. George Washington was told he was the “most infamous man in America.”
“The Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear Guard Action that Saved the Northern Army”
Sunday, May 28, 1 pm at Bennington Battlefield, NYS Rte. 67
Stark wrote of his victory at Bennington, “I think we have returned the enemy a proper compliment in the above action, for the Hubbart-Town engagement.” Bruce Venter, historian, author and President of America’s History, LLC has researched the Battle of Hubbardton extensively and “wrote the book” on the subject. His lecture will spotlight this pivotal event in the Saratoga Campaign and our national history. [/private]