Are You a Huge Fan of ‘Hamilton’? Wishing ‘Turn: Washington’s Spies’ Hadn’t Ended?
Come to New York State and Experience the True Story of the Revolutionary War
I was sorry to see the television series “Turn: Washington’s Spies” end its run last year. Like most historical movies or television shows, this popular series wasn’t precisely true, but it was good storytelling. The Tony Award-winning musical “Hamilton” also tells the story of our Founding Fathers — and Mothers — and its fans are legion, as well as knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the show’s content.
As an educator and specialist in colonial and Revolutionary America, I recognize that these shows have made the complex and distant history of the American Revolution engaging and relatable for many people who might not otherwise think about how ordinary men and women — patriots, slaves, women, and loyalists — experienced the American Revolution.
“Turn” was filmed at actual historic sites — not constructed film sets — and it seems that some fans of “Turn” are visiting colonial and Revolutionary era historic sites in record numbers. Some sites are experiencing an unprecedented boom in attendance. Saratoga National Historic Park, site of the decisive 1777 Battle of Saratoga, experienced a 58 percent increase in visitor attendance between 2015 and 2016 with visitor figures remaining high in 2017 and 2018 as well.
I am grateful that “Hamilton” and “Turn” have revived interest in the American Revolution. Both productions have been good for history education, and for tourism. The Virginia Tourism Corporation developed “Turn: The Trail” to help tourists find the historic sites featured in the show. The tour route leads fans to 17th century plantation homes built along the James River; the famous living history museum Colonial Williamsburg; and even the homestead of Patrick Henry, the Virginia statesman who in 1775 declared “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
On the one hand, I was delighted to see Virginia’s historic sites profit from the popularity of “Turn.” On the other hand, as a historian and educator who teaches in New York State, I really want to see our own colonial and Revolutionary era historic sites share in this bounty of history tourism. After all, the Culper Ring originated in Long Island. Nearly a third of the War of Independence battles were fought in New York. New York City was also the first capital of the United States. In short, New York City and New York State played a critical role in the development of the War of Independence, as fans of “Hamilton” well know.
New York has done an outstanding job of preserving and protecting its Revolutionary War sites. At least half of the historic sites managed by New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation tell the history of the American Revolution and the early formation of the state. If you really want to see where history happened, then come to New York.
Do you like military history? Consider visiting Saratoga Battlefield or Henry Knox Headquarters where the Continental Army’s top generals planned the Yorktown campaign. Or visit the humble accommodations that served as George Washington’s headquarters between 1782–1783 (Washington’s Headquarters). Here, on April 19, 1783, Washington delivered the news of the cease fire with British forces.
Nearby is New Windsor Cantonment, the well-preserved site of the Continental Army’s last encampment, where visitors will learn about 18th century warfare from re-enactors. Also at this site you can visit the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Washington developed the Purple Heart, and this memorial is the only one in the country that collects and preserves the histories of Purple Heart recipients.
Of course, it would be hard to appreciate the struggle for American independence if you only visited victory sites. If you want to know about the cost of war, consider visiting the site of the Battle of Oriskany (Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site), where American troops fought in brutal hand-to-hand combat against British and Loyalist troops and ultimately lost. Or visit Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, where half of the Patriot forces who fought the British and Loyalist in October 1777 were killed, wounded or captured.
You can visit the elegant homes of celebrated New York patriots including Philip Schuyler (Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site), Robert R. Livingston, Jr. (Clermont State Historic Site), and John Jay (John Jay Homestead State Historic Site).
General Philip Schuyler (b. 1733-d.1803) is little known today, but he was arguably one of the most influential men in the history of Revolutionary New York. In July 1775, the Continental Congress assigned him the unenviable task of organizing the New York Department of the Continental Army (later, the Northern Department). Over the next two years, Schuyler recruited men and raised money; constructed fortifications, bateaux and roads; amassed provisions and equipment; suppressed Loyalists and courted the allegiance or neutrality of Native Americans. Schuyler also claims the title of Founding Father-in-law; his daughter Elizabeth (Eliza) married Alexander Hamilton in 1780, and their love is celebrated in “Hamilton.”
At many of these sites, you will also learn more about the history of slavery in New York and specifically how enslaved men and women experienced the conflict between patriots and loyalists. And what of those Loyalists who feature so prominently in “Turn”? In 1776 hundreds of New Yorkers protested the Declaration of Independence by signing loyalty oaths to the British Crown. The story of New York Loyalists is told at the Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site. Frederick Philipse III and his family lived lavishly on the eve of the American Revolution, but the war forced them to seek protection in British-occupied New York City and ultimately to live in exile in England.
Native Americans do not feature prominently in “Turn” or “Hamilton,” but they played a critical part in the war in New York. On the eve of the American Revolution, the Iroquois Confederacy controlled millions of acres in 18th century New York. The Continental Congress, Continental Army and the wartime government of New York understandably panicked when many of these Indians allied with Great Britain at the start of the war. Visitors who want to know more about the Iroquois experience before, during and after the American Revolution should consider visiting the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor.
“Turn: Washington’s Spies” may have concluded its run, but will live on in boxed sets and on Netflix. Most of the original cast of “Hamilton” has been replaced by the second generation cast, but the national company is touring widely. We can (and should) continue to learn all we can about the American Revolution and its legacy.
Touring New York State historic sites is an enjoyable way to get even closer to that experience. Historic sites bring history to life and help us to see the heroes of the American Revolution as real people. Visiting historic sites will offer fans an opportunity to see the heroes of the American Revolution as ordinary human beings faced with complex choices. At Philipse Manor or Schuyler Manor, or any number of historic sites, visitors can experience a more personal connection with the men and women who participated in the American Revolution.
Jennifer H. Dorsey, Ph.D. is associate professor of history and director of the McCormick Center for the Study of the American Revolution at Siena College. As the director of the McCormick Center, Dr. Dorsey works closely with students to develop research projects and internships that engage them with local history and local history agencies.
