The Summer of 2022 is becoming crispy hot at the Saratoga County History Center with a new exhibit, “In the Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their RegionTheir Regional al Folklore,” along with a fresh series of events and offerings in August.
In the Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their Regional Folklore
The Saratoga County History Center’s Brookside Museum has recently opened a new exhibition “In the Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their Regional Folklore”. This exhibition explores the many stories that claimed to explain the story behind the snack, from disgruntled customers to kitchen incidents. The story of the legendary George Crum is examined, along with his experiences as a chef and outdoor guide of African and First Nation descent. Learn more about this contender for the inventor of potato chips, along with other possible innovators who may have been responsible for the irresistibly crispy potatoes. The complimentary exhibit, “A Century of Ice Cream,” celebrates the centennial of Stewart’s Shops, the famous company born in Saratoga County. The exhibition is open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, 1pm to 5pm, starting July 30.
Music at the Museum
The Saratoga County History Center (SCHC) and the Village of Ballston Spa Arts Council are pleased to announce that this summer we will again sponsor “Music at the Museum” concerts at SCHC’s Brookside Museum. The concerts will take place at 3pm on Sunday August 7 and 3pm on Sunday, August 14. On August 7, the program will feature a saxophone quartet comprised of Tracy DeRagon, Ali DeRagon, Frank Conti, and Dennis Searles, three veteran North Country professional musicians and a recent Ithaca College graduate. The quartet will be playing a variety of light classical and unique arrangements of familiar melodies. On August 14, the program will consist of a concert band under the direction of Dennis Searles, an area music teacher with over 50 years of experience directing and performing in many musicals, concert bands, and the Glens Falls Symphony. The band is comprised of professional Musicians from the entire capital district and north country performing traditional concert band music, including Broadway Musicals, popular melodies, and many marches.
The musicians will perform on the front porch of SCHC’s Brookside Museum, at the end of Front Street in Ballston Spa. Bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen, and enjoy the music – and please visit the museum while you are there. In case of rain on August 7, the saxophone quartet will be moved inside the museum. If there is rain on August 14, the band concert will be postponed until August 28.
Friday in the Herb Garden
This summer, the Colonial Herb Garden of SCHC’s Brookside Museum is very popular among visitors. On August 12 at 2pm, our popular series “Fridays in the Herb Garden: There’s More to an Herb Than its Name” goes on. The Saratoga County History Center invites you to join Kathleen Royka, Master Gardener, and Thymly Herb’s lead gardener, at the museum’s Colonial Herb Garden. This week’s theme is “Plants to Dye for – Plants, Both for Dyeing and Healing.” Meet Woad, Queen Anne’s Lace, and Feverfew. Children are welcome. There will be toys and games of the eighteenth century and other activities to discover.
Spin ‘Til You Dye Day
The Rock Day Spinners, a Saratoga County based fiber spinning group, will be holding their annual Spin ‘Til You Dye Day at Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum on Sunday, August 13 from 10am – 4pm. They will be dying wool using natural dyes and demonstrating fiber spinning. “Spin Till You Dye” is a family-friendly event.
Historian’s Walking Tour
As part of the Historians’ Walking Tour series, Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian, will lead a mile-long out and back walk on the county’s Zim Smith Trail. This walk will take place on Monday, August 15 at 10am. Learn how an old railroad bed evolved into the county’s premier trail system and how it earned its moniker. Meet at the Zim Smith parking lot at 3 Curry Road in Round Lake. The suggested donation is $10 per registration. Please register for the tour at https://brooksidemuseum.networkforgood.com/events/45742-historians-walking-tours-zim-smith-trail-in-round-lake-aug-15th
ABOUT THE SCHC’s BROOKSIDE MUSEUM – Built in 1792 as a resort hotel, the Saratoga County History Center’s Brookside Museum has a long history of serving people. Among the oldest hotel buildings still standing in the United States, its history is as diverse as the people who visited here. At one time a boys’ school, the building has also been a private residence, a boarding house, a sanitarium, and apartments. In 1970, what became the Saratoga County History Center purchased the building and opened it as a museum. Ever since the Saratoga County History Center has preserved Saratoga County’s unique history. The mission of the Saratoga County History Center is to serve as a repository for local and regional histories, to provide innovative educational and public programming, and to instill in our communities a deeper understanding of how the past informs and impacts our present and future. For more information, visit https://brooksidemuseum.org/.
SCHC’s Brookside Museum is open Thursday to Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. The museum is located at 6 Charlton Street in Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Museum entry is free and donations are accepted. The Saratoga County History Center is proud to be a Blue Star Museum.
Saratoga County History Center press releases are listed at https://brooksidemuseum.org/news/
