Jim Kaplan writes:
This Saturday will mark a new milestone in the historical activities of the Lower Manhattan Historical Society and its constituent organizations. At 2:30 pm in Trinity Churchyard on October 17 (the exact anniversary of the British surrender at the pivotal battle of Saratoga) there will be a wreathlaying ceremony on the graves of General Horatio Gates, Alexander Hamilton & Col. Marinus Willett, commemorating the role of these great New Yorkers in the American victories at the battles of Saratoga and Yorktown. Rev. Phillip A. Jackson, the new Vicar of Trinity Church, will provide introductory remarks, and Ambrose Richardson, President of the Sons of the Revolution, will be the Master of Ceremonies. We hope that as in prior years Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer will attend (although this is not confirmed). The nature of the ceremonies is outlined here: 2015-10-17 (Saratoga – Yorktown Commemoration).
We believe that in the three short years the Commemoration has taken place it is growing to be one of New York City’s major patriotic ceremonies, educating New Yorkers about the importance of the City and some of its early leaders in the American victories during the Revolution. The preliminary tour sponsored by Openhouse New York is already sold out, but I urge you all to attend the 2:30 wreathlaying at Trinity Churchyard.
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James S. Kaplan
President, Lower Manhattan Historical Society.