Upstater Destinations: Minisink Battleground Park

  |  February 21, 2013

minisink battleground park

The historical marker at the Minisink Battleground in Sullivan County relates a rather sad tale of battlefield casualties sustained by militia men during the American Revolution. In the summer of 1779, Mohawk war chief and British army captain Joseph Brant and his cadre of Tories and Mohawks ransacked the Minisink Ford settlement, comprised of New York and New Jersey militia men who hoped had to get the drop on Brant and his soldiers. No such luck. The battle was a bloodbath, and the remains of the dead were eventually relocated to Goshen and buried there.

Battle of Minisink Marker

While Goshen is the home of the mass grave site, the actual battlefield is located in Barryville, and is now the site of a 57-acre park with pavilions and walking trails where folks can enjoy a lazy afternoon stroll or partake in a picnic. Minisink Battlefield Memorial Park is a great place for those who like their recreational activities with a side of historic bloodshed, and we mean that in the best possible way. We are endlessly fascinated by upstate New York’s role in American history, and we find ourselves intrigued at the very glimpse of the iconic blue and yellow of a site marker.

Minisink-Memorial

Minisink Battlefield Memorial Park is located at the end of Route 168/Minisink Road, just east of 97 and the Delaware River. Make sure you take the time to visit the Interpretive Center to learn more about the battle and the area’s indigenous vegetation and wildlife.

Interested in learning more? Here’s detailed overview on the Battle of Minisink.

GMAP

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

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