Carol Godette, teacher, author and native of Saratoga Springs will speak at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa on Thursday, September 5 at 7pm on her recently released book, On This Spot: Saratoga Springs. Carol will explore the many small family led businesses sprinkled throughout the neighborhoods of the city during the mid to late 1900’s. “Interviewing many owners of these mom and pop stores and shops was a wonderful experience” says Carol. “I was amazed at how much has changed in our city during my lifetime.”
Godette, a retired fifth-grade teacher in the Saratoga Springs School District has become a well known and admired storyteller based on her research and writings about her hometown. Her column, On This Spot, featured in Simply Saratoga Magazine was recognized by the New York Press Association in 2021, winning second place for Best Column. “Carol has been such an asset to our magazine and our readers – Saratogians new and old.” said Chris Bushee, Editor-in-Chief. “She puts a contemporary spin on Saratoga’s history with relatable stories that people really enjoy and she is fun to work with!”
Carol has been personally engaged in Saratoga Springs history her entire life. Growing up in the shadow of the Fasig-Tipton horse sales arena exposed her to the ambiance of summers in Saratoga. Her recent research into the history of the Burke Funeral home is also personal – her father worked at and later owned the business, living above the funeral parlor. Her current home is on the site of one of the city’s first burials grounds.
Her passion for her work has caught the attention of other historians. In 2022 Carol was a recipient of the History Center’s Saratoga County Public History Award. Charlie Kuenzel, recent President of the Saratoga Springs History Museum and also a History Award winner said of Godette, “Carol has been a tremendous inspiration because of her research and passion for Saratoga history. She finds the stories that most of us have missed.”
Carol’s book On This Spot: Saratoga Springs will be available for purchase and signing after the program. This event is sponsored by the Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum. Registration is available HERE. Donations received during registration will be used for SCHC program development.
