VICTOR, N.Y. — As New York and the nation mark America’s 250th birthday, visitors to state parks are getting an opportunity to explore the stories of the Revolutionary War. New York State Parks installed new touchscreen kiosks with historical videos to highlight a variety of perspectives from the American Revolution. One of those kiosks is located at Ganondagan State Historic Site in Ontario County to help share the experiences of the Seneca people.
Ganondagan historic site manager Michael Galban has helped share the stories of the Seneca Nation for more than three decades here. The artifacts on display remind us of what happened before, during and after America’s independence.
What You Need To Know
New York State Parks have new interactive video displays interpreting New York’s Revolutionary War history
One of the kiosks is located at Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, NY
The goal is to share a variety of Revolutionary War perspectives
“The Haudenosaunee people, or Indigenous people, you might say, remember the time and commemorate it and are in a lot of ways interested in solving it rather than revisiting it,” said Galban.
The Revolutionary era was a time when Native nations faced impossible choices. The fight for independence and freedom was far more complicated for Native communities living across New York.
“Do we support our neighbors who sometimes help us bring our food in in the fall, and our children play together with the white settlers? Do we support them in their rebellion, or do we support the British with whom we have a lasting and long agreement of peace and mutual support that is literally 100 years old, so what do you do? How do you resolve that when both sides are asking for your help?” said Galban.
New, interactive video displays are set up at more than 20 state parks. The kiosks are a way to explore different perspectives to help broaden public understanding of that history.
“The Invasion of 1779: General George Washington ordered the destruction of 40 Haudenosaunee communities with the expressed intent of them not being able to grow more food or go back to live in their land,” said Galban.
So while America is celebrating 250 years since its founding, it’s important to remember that not everyone experienced the American Revolution the same way.
“The goal really is to maintain a lasting peace and that is really, maybe much more revolutionary than a war,” said Galban.