Long before e-mail, Facebook, and Instagram, letter writing was the only way to communicate. The recipient, not the sender, had to pay to receive a letter at the time of delivery. Postage rates in early Victorian Britain were so high that many people dreaded the postman’s knock. But all that changed in 1840 with the Penny Post. Letter writing—no longer... Read more »

Photos Credit: Drawings\Watercolor shown are by Friedrich von Germann  in The New York State Public Library This talk examines how Continental soldiers often wore civilian clothing during the early Revolutionary War years (1775–1777), exploring the styles, materials, and regional influences of these garments, and how they reflected the soldiers’ backgrounds and the logistical challenges of outfitting an army in its... Read more »

The specter of empire haunts European museums. The correlation between museological collecting and imperial ideology is now widely taken for granted in academic circles, but the question of what is to be done with and in western museums that hold colonial collections persists. This essay takes one small Māori hei tiki (RCIN 69263) from the Royal Collection as a case... Read more »

Join us for the next meeting of the Brookside Explorers Club, a new history and learning club for kids! This month, we’re celebrating the Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest with a deliciously fun lineup of activities. Kids will: Learn about the history of chocolate, including local connections, through a hands‑on learning activity Design their own chocolate label Create a cocoa powder... Read more »

Chris Leonard will reminisce on his first year as Executive Director of the nearly 50-year-old National Bottle Museum. His talk will cover stories of some of his favorite bottles from the museum’s collection, including one dating to the early 18th c. These 10-15 bottles will be on site and part of the discussion allowing attendees to get a close-up view... Read more »

Join us for an afternoon of romantic woodwinds! Tune in for the third and final edition of the third season of the Sounds in Winter concert series. On February 14, Brookside welcomes A Touch of Woodwinds, who will play music for Valentine's Day. Enjoy the performance of this classical group within the wonderful acoustics of our historic Long Room. These... Read more »

Now in it’s third year, the “Sounds in Winter” Concert Series will continue with a January 17, 2026 appearance of the Eribeth Trio. Based in the Capital District, the Eribeth Chamber Players have performed throughout the Northeast, as well as in Germany. With flexible instrumentation, the group presents a variety of programs, from string quartet and piano trio concerts to... Read more »

Join us for a Revolutionary meal at Brookside Museum! Travel back in time and enjoy a tavern-inspired feast featuring traditional recipes and historic ambiance at Brookside Museum. Partake in a delightful three course meal, served by historians in 18th-century attire, as they discuss their lives and the events of the day. One drink of beer or water is included in... Read more »

This event has been rescheduled to March 16 at 7pm. Since the founding of the United States, France and its capital have held a singular place in the American imagination. The trans-atlantic conversation that flourished throughout the 19th century between America and its oldest ally was uniquely important to the development of American identity. After WWI, this Franco-American relationship only... Read more »

STONE SOUP pairs composer Joe Illick and librettist Mark Campbell for an operatic retelling of the classic European folk tale. Their reimagining will transport audiences to Blessing, Texas for a rocking-chair view of the comings and goings at Max’s General store. From the opera’s opening notes representing a young girl’s stomach rumblings, through the whimsically collaborative creation of the title... Read more »

Join us for a Revolutionary meal at Brookside Museum! Travel back in time and enjoy a tavern-inspired feast featuring traditional recipes and historic ambiance at Brookside Museum. Partake in a delightful three course meal, served by historians in 18th-century attire, as they discuss their lives and the events of the day. One drink of beer or water is included in... Read more »

Learn from Nancy White as she describes the development and purpose of her many gardens within The Healing Garden - a unique property certified as a United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary, with an environment rich in biodiversity, including endangered native medicinal plants and wetlands. The house was built with a focus on sustainability, i.e., to conserve fossil fuels and water,... Read more »

The National Bottle Museum was created to preserve, research, and exhibit bottles and objects related to bottle making. Visitors can view displays of bottles and glassmaking tools, learn about the local bottle history, and the history of bottle production. With Executive Director Chris Leonard, members of Saratoga County History Center will explore the museum's diverse collection and view current exhibitions,... Read more »

Join us for a public screening of the new Saratoga 250 documentary! In the winter of 1775–1776, hope for a free America was nearly frozen by the British occupation of Boston. One patriot—Henry Knox—answered the call, leading a dangerous, expedition through snow, mountains, and doubt to move the legendary Noble Train of Artillery. This is a story of courage, conviction,... Read more »

The "Schuyler Sisters” cause quite a stir in the Broadway musical Hamilton: An American Musical, but did you know that there were really five sisters? Born and raised in Albany, they were the daughters of Revolutionary War General and United States Senator, Philip Schuyler, and his wife, Catherine Van Rensselaer of patroon lineage. Coming of age during the country’s formative... Read more »