Saratoga National Historical Park preserves the spot where the British Army surrendered in 1777/NPS file

Saratoga National Historical Park should be renamed Saratoga National Battlefield Park to "more accurately reflect the historical significance of the site and emphasize the crucial military engagements that took place there," said U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik.

The park in upstate New York preserves the spot where the British Army for the first time ever surrendered. It is where British General John Burgoyne surrendered his army to American General Horatio Gates on October 17, 1777. This prompted French recognition of United States’ independence, an alliance between the two nations, and an international war between Britain and France.

Stefanik, R-New York, and Rep. Paul Tonko, D-New York, cosponsored the legislation to rename the park.  The effort seeks to distinguish the park as a historic battlefield and signal its historic importance to heritage tourists.

“As stewards and protectors of these hallowed grounds, we celebrate the effort to recognize the sacrifices made here and the history the land holds and shares with future generations,” said American Battlefield Trust President David Duncan.

New York was one of the most fought over states during the American Revolution. In 1777, the British strategy, led by General John Burgoyne, called for a three-pronged attack on New York, with three separate armies converging near Albany. The battle at Saratoga, fought in two stages on September 19 and October 7, marked one of the largest clashes in the state’s history.

The American victory was a turning point in the Revolutionary War, proving that the beleaguered Patriots could hold their own against the superiorly armed and trained British Army. The outcome sealed the alliance between the Americans and King Louis XVI’s France.

“As Co-Chair of the Congressional Battlefield Caucus, I will continue to lead the charge to ensure that our many battlefields in Upstate New York and the North Country are preserved,” said Stefanik. “Renaming Saratoga National Historical Park to Saratoga National Battlefield Park will more accurately reflect the historical significance of the site and emphasize the crucial military engagements that took place there. I’m honored to lead this legislation that acknowledges the significance of the turning point in the Revolutionary War and one of the most decisive American battles of the American Revolution.”

“With the 250th anniversary of the battle approaching, there is no better time for the redesignation of the park from Saratoga National Historical Park to Saratoga National Battlefield,” Duncan added.

The bipartisan legislation — Strengthening America’s Turning Point Act (H.R.8931) — follows a unanimous June 18 vote by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution requesting Congress and the National Park Service rename the Saratoga National Historical Park to the Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

Battlefields are unique historic resources, and the name change helps to better reflect the hallowed grounds where American — and British — soldiers fought and died, according to the Trust.

“The historic site marks the first time in world history that a British Army laid down their arms,” said Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman and Saratoga 250th Commissioner Phil Barrett. “This name change would distinguish the park as a historical battlefield and provide a unique identifier to clearly inform tourists of the significance of the park to American independence.”