Exhibition Information
Monday - Friday | 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
State Street Tunnel, Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York
Between 1774 and 1783, New York, first as a colony and then as a state, was at the heart of the American Revolution. Distinctive terrain, a growing population, and a blend of loyalties contributed to the region’s importance as a strategic crossroad throughout the fight against the British.
Battlefields of Liberty, presented at the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence, features sites across New York and highlights the complexities of battle and strategies of a war between a fledgling nation-to-be and a mighty world power.
Over time, the war moved to the Southern Colonies. The last major land battle of the war was the 1781 Battle of Yorktown in Virginia, a Continental Army victory which ultimately marked the end of British rule. In 1783, the war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
Today, while many battlefields and crucial military locations are recognized as historic sites or national parks, others have been obscured by modern development, often leaving only a historic marker as a reminder of the war.
Many locations have changed physically, yet New York State remembers these pivotal moments in the fight and is proud to recognize those who gave their lives in the American Revolution and those who were forever impacted by these historical events. We invite you to explore America250 in New York at these sites today.