1939 – First Army Maneuvers in Saranac and Schuyler Falls
From the Clinton County Historical Asociation – IMPORTANT TO TALK WITH OLDER RESIDENTS – There are people living in our county today who still remember the Maneuvers of 1939. We’ve had them come to the museum telling us how, when they were kids, they gave water to the troops, watched the tanks in awe, or had their fields used as campgrounds. Maybe some of your relatives had these experiences.
It’s so important to talk with your older family members and friends, not only about large events like this but what it was like when they were growing up.
Our museum collects artifacts and love the stories that go with them. We also like the stories of people who remember events that happened in the county during their lifetimes. Contact your relatives and talk about events from long ago – they will like it, and the stories won’t be lost.
The Plattsburgh Daily Press of July 10, 1939, carried the story and gives statistics – 52,000 men 51 Regular Army units, 97 National Guard units and various organized reserves. http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/…/1939-07-10/ed-1/seq-5/
There is also a silent 12-minute video from the New York State Military Museum on Youtube, “1939 First Army Maneuvers, Plattsburgh, NY.” You can view it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFF7IRadDo8
You could use these pictures and the video to start your conversations. Maybe they will recognize some of the buildings or roads.
Posted: October 17th, 2020 under Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.