Event
French Cannon Unveiling
Fee:
Free.Location: LAT/LONG: 43.012203, -73.648926
Saratoga National Historical Park Visitor Center Theater
Dates & Times
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Type of Event
Description
Saratoga National Historical Park unveils a new exhibit for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and, next year, the Battles of Saratoga. In April 1777, two French ships laden with military supplies, including more than 100 cannons, arrived in Portsmouth, NH. These weapons proved critical in enabling the forces of the United States to fight two campaigns that summer. In conjunction with Colonial National Historical Park, Saratoga staff were able to secure this French 4-pound cannon a la suidoise named La Poesie to be displayed during these important commemorations. We will open the new exhibit with three speakers unveiling the history of these cannons in addition to La Poesie herself:
Robert A. Selig is a historical consultant who received his Ph.D. in history from the Universität Würzburg in Germany in 1988. He is a specialist on the role of French forces under the comte de Rochambeau during the American War of Independence and serves as project historian for the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Project. Dr. Selig will discuss the political environment in France which led to the convenient availability of hundreds of cannons just when the Americans needed them the most.
Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer will share how ten of the recently arrived French cannons came to the American Northern Army and their impact on the Battles of Saratoga.
Curator Christine Valosin will describe the process which brought La Poesie to Saratoga and announce another important project the park is undertaking in partnership with the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield to ensure the French cannons will have a presence on the battlefield itself in the near future.
Room for the lecture portion of the event is strictly limited. Reservations must be made by emailing us at e-mail us. No reservation is required to simply view the cannon in the Visitor Center.