August 2026

Posted by Penny Musco on

PARK NEWS

Revolutionary War in the Parks, 250 years ago

         In continuing the theme of our country’s 250th anniversary, here’s what happened in August, 1776, as told in our national parks:

  • Tadeusz (Thaddeus) Kościuszko (pronounced Kos-SHOOS-KO) arrived in Philadelphia from Poland, and offered his services to the Continental Congress. Two months, later that body appointed him as a colonel in the Continental Army. Fun fact: his memorial in the City of Brotherly Love is the smallest of all the National Park Service sites. See, he’s more than just a bridge in New York City!
  • The Battle of Brooklyn, the Revolutionary War’s biggest engagement, begins on August 27, 1776. The British had evacuated Boston on March 17, and in the following months, General George Washington and 9,000 of his soldiers headed to New York City. They guessed rightly that that port would be the next focus of the British. They established themselves in Brooklyn, but were surrounded on all sides. Realizing his troops were no match for the larger British forces, and not wanting to surrender, Washington and his soldiers retreated across the East River to Manhattan in the dead of night. The majority of the Continental Army is saved, but the British end up controlling the city until war’s end in 1783. Governors Island, now a national monument in the Park Service, played a role in this campaign. This land mass sits in New York harbor, a half mile from downtown Manhattan, and Continental General Israel Putnam and his men constructed an earthen work there. Fort Jay, built after the war, sits were this barrier was (Castle Williams was erected later). Governors Island is a great place to visit—my husband and I took the ourselves and our bikes on the ferry, and had a fun day pedaling around. While the ferry ride currently is $5.00 per person, entrance to the park itself is free.

Park Festivals and Celebrations

  • Voices of Yellowstone: First Peoples Celebration is an annual event as this national park situated in parts of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, occurring this year August 2-8. This commemorates the cultures of Native Americans from the region. Included is Native art, dance, music, games, and speakers, as well illuminated teepees and cultural tours. The park is associated with 27 tribes.
  • Ninety Six National Historic Site marks its 50th year in the Park Service on Saturday, August 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The anniversary observance of this Revolutionary War battlefield in South Carolina, location of the war’s longest siege, includes cannon firing and fiddling. Guess who was a major participant in this 28-day siege during May and June, 1781? Kościuszko, who as chief engineer, constructed a subterranean tunnel leading to the Loyalists’ Star Fort, in order to blow it up. However, the siege ended before that happened.

 

 

 

 

Another Fee-Free Day

         The National Park Service’s 110th birthday is Tuesday, August 25. No charge that day to get into any of its sites that charge admission.

MORE REVOLUTIONARY WAR-THEMED BOOKS

         Pelican Book Group has four Christian books set during our war of independence.

BATTLES

         They still go on not only globally, but personally. In our struggles, our first thought often is to rely on ourselves and our strength. But Scripture reminds us they’re not ours to handle. As David said to Goliath, “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). When Jehoshaphat was afraid of the enemies threatening Judah, the message relayed to him was “the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

         He’s always in control, even when life isn’t.