This unique exhibition, opening on July 5, 2019, explores poultry’s place in the economic, social, and cultural life of Saratoga County. On Friday, August 2, 5-8 pm, we will be celebrating the arrival of our live hens on site and the exhibition with a party and activities for all ages.
For over a hundred years the poultry industry has been a significant, but unsung, economic force and cultural cornerstone in Saratoga County. Family farms, both large and small, and individuals have generated a large part of their income by providing poultry and eggs to the vibrant resort and spa community since its inception. As pets and entertainment chickens and roosters have amazed and inspired generations of fans leading to a resurgence in keeping hens for farm fresh eggs everyday. Chicken feathers have inspired new technological breakthroughs in the areas of energy storage and temperature control. This exhibition explores all this and more through photographs, documents and objects from the SCSH/Brookside Museum collection.
SCHS/Brookside Museum is extremely fortunate to have several special community partners as part of this project. The Milton Grange is creating a mobile coop and providing live hens for a “residency” on site. The hens will be at Brookside July 30-August 11 and October 1-14. We will have a “chicken cam” with live feed on our website and Facebook page thanks to the generosity of David Womer and Adirondack Cable and Security. The camera will be broadcasting the hen’s activities 24/7 while they are in residence.
Additionally, Ballston Spa artist and community activist, Mark Blech, will create a site-specific outdoor installation as part of the exhibition. Blech, known for his work with the Ballston Spa Birdhouse Project, is making several over-life sized vignettes and a full-sized coop filled with an interactive Rube Goldberg-style engineering activity for all ages.
Friday, August 2, 2019 from 5-8 pm SCHS/Brookside Museum will be holding a party to welcome the hens and celebrate the exhibition. There will be a variety of activities for all ages on site.
SCHS/Brookside Museum would like to thank our sponsors, whose generosity make this exhibition possible. Humanities NY, The Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fairgame, Curtis Lumber, The Milton Grange, Thomas Poultry Farm, Adirondack Cable and Security.
For more information call Brookside at 518-885-4000
