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BALLSTON SPA — The trustees and staff of the Saratoga County History Center invite residents and tourists alike to celebrate the storied history of their beloved Saratoga County in a new exhibit at Brookside Museum: “Saratoga County: Our Home!”
“Saratoga County: Our Home!,” which opens May 20, 2023, takes guests on an immersive, artifact-rich journey spanning four centuries of Saratoga life, business, and nature. The exhibit fills three large rooms in the historic Brookside Museum, itself a cherished relic of local history from the early years of Saratoga resort life. From the First Nations who lived here before European settlement to the new tech-centered economy, “Saratoga County: Our Home!” offers guests a rich time-travel experience that will instill awe and respect for the county’s evolution.
The exhibit features scores of priceless artifacts from Brookside Museum’s vast collections, including a Bible printed in Amsterdam in 1718, an 1804 tin chandelier from the present Medbery Inn, a windowpane etched by Washington Irving during his Ballston visit, a section of the 1832 railroad track from Schenectady to Saratoga, and a roulette wheel seized in a 1950 police raid. The most recent object is a “wafer,” a Global Foundries disk holding microchips. Over a hundred historic photographs place the objects in context, along with interpretive text that discusses thirteen geographic, economic, and social forces that created the county we know today.
“Saratoga County: Our Home!” is the first comprehensive exhibit to tackle the broad sweep of county history in the 58 years of the museum’s existence. It was made possible with funding from the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. Additional support was provided by The Adirondack Trust Company, Munter Enterprises, and Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family.
Reopening after winter closure, Brookside Museum is nearing completion of major restoration and stabilization funded by its members and friends.
The exhibit, which will be ongoing, may be visited during the museum’s open hours, daily except Monday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Brookside Museum is located at 21 Fairground Avenue, Ballston Spa, four blocks from NY Route 50 at the west end of Front Street. Admission is free. For information telephone 518-885-4000 or visit brooksidemuseum.org.
The Saratoga County History Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the diverse histories of Saratoga County. In addition to Brookside Museum, the History Center offers a variety of innovative, exciting, and educational programming online. Please visit the website (www.brooksidemuseum.org) and social media accounts (@SaratogaCoHistory) for news and announcements.
