The New York State Military Museum Unveils Augmented Reality Display

The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center, located at 61 Lake Ave., has unveiled a new interactive augmented reality display featuring four prominent figures from the 1777 Battles of Saratoga, the turning point in the American Revolution. 

Arrayed along the museum’s Revolutionary War section located just inside the entrance to the facility’s main exhibit floor, the display gives visitors the opportunity to use their smartphone to watch the 3D figures materialize and share personal perspectives on the events that played out along the Upper Hudson River in September and October 1777. 

The Military Museum display is part of Saratoga 250’s ongoing county-wide commemorations leading up to next year’s semiquincentennial of the Battles of Saratoga, considered the turning point of America’s fight for independence. The victory at Bemis Heights prompted France to provide the fledgling United States with troops, materiel, money and naval assets, support that led directly to the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781.

Underwritten by a grant from the Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs, the augmented reality exhibit at the Military Museum is among several such interactive displays located at other venues in Saratoga County, including the Saratoga Springs Public Library, the Saratoga Springs History Museum at Canfield Casino and the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitors Center.

“This display offers a fun and interesting way to interact with some of the most prominent figures from our history and hear from them, in their own words, about the role they played at Saratoga,” said Bill Teetor, Executive Director of the Campaign for Saratoga 250, Inc. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s turning point, Saratoga 250 and our partner organizations will continue to educate and engage the public on the importance of preserving the battles’ significance with new generations, while at the same time introducing visitors to our region’s rich history.”

“We are so pleased here at the Military Museum to add these augmented reality banners that can give a voice to the history here in Saratoga,” said Richard Goldenberg, Director of Military History for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. “Our commemorations of the Battles of Saratoga are a community-wide event, and we are thankful to the Saratoga Rotary Club and the Campaign for Saratoga 250 for their support in bringing these banners to our Revolutionary War exhibit floor. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this summer, we are reminded that the words put to paper in 1776 were secured by the victories at Saratoga in 1777.”