Revolutionary Road Trip Comes Home to Saratoga Springs: Book Launch Night at Universal Preservation Hall
A Director's Cut Screening, Live Music, and Saratoga History on the Book's Official Launch Day
On June 30 — the official launch day of Revolutionary Road Trip: Hidden Stories of America's Founding Journey — Emmy Award-winning PBS host and author Darley Newman brought her book tour to Saratoga Springs, a destination with a dedicated chapter in the book and a starring role in her Travels with Darley Revolutionary Road Trips episodes.
The setting couldn't have been more fitting: Universal Preservation Hall, where, as The Daily Gazette put it, 21st-century audiences gathered in a 19th-century hall to explore the 18th-century founding of the nation.
What Happened at the Universal Preservation Hall Book Launch Event?
The evening was a true Saratoga celebration. Attendees were treated to a director's cut screening of Darley's all-Saratoga PBS episode featuring never-before-seen Spa City footage and outtakes — Darley's love letter to the Saratoga community and the local voices who bring its history to life.
Saratoga County Historian and Saratoga 250 Chair Lauren Roberts joined Darley for a panel discussion on the region's Revolutionary history, and Saratoga-based singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski performed live for a room full of people who love stories, history, and the places that connect us. Revolutionary War reenactors added to the atmosphere, and Saratoga 250 helped make the night special.
(Catch Cassandra again soon: she performs her acoustic album pre-release concert at Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs on July 23.)
Why Is Saratoga Featured in Revolutionary Road Trip?
“In Saratoga, history is woven into every corner of the community," Darley says — and she would know. In September 2023, Darley and her crew spent five days filming across Saratoga County, capturing historic locales and contemporary venues for her Revolutionary Road Trips episodes. The all-Saratoga episode features the Schuyler House, the Saratoga Monument, Saratoga National Historical Park, Congress Park, High Rock Park, and the villages of Schuylerville and Victory — along with local favorites like Sam VanDemark, Bill Dake, Joyce Locks, and Upset the mini horse. Revolutionary Road Trip the book expands on those stories with a dedicated chapter on Saratoga's historic sites and hospitality destinations.
Saratoga Press Coverage: Revolutionary Road Trip in the News
Local media turned to Darley as a trusted voice on Saratoga's Revolutionary heritage ahead of the launch. The Saratoga Dispatch spotlighted the homecoming of her all-Saratoga PBS special, seen by history buffs around the world. The Daily Gazette featured the book release event and Darley's Saratoga filming journey in two stories, and The Post-Star covered the celebration in its local history pages.
Read the coverage:
Saratoga Dispatch: "PBS' all-Saratoga 'Revolutionary Road Trip' comes home"
The Daily Gazette: "'Travels with Darley' TV host celebrates book release in Saratoga"
The Post-Star: local history coverage of the Saratoga launch
Where Is the Revolutionary Road Trip Book Tour Headed Next?
Catch Darley at an upcoming tour stop:
Oyster Bay, NY — Raynham Hall Museum, July 15
Brooklyn, NY — POWERHOUSE Arena, July 21
Greensboro, NC — November 8
Revolutionary Road Trip: Hidden Stories of America's Founding Journey is available now on Amazon.
