Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum - News

News

Saratoga County Leap Year Observations

As today is February 29, we find ourselves curious about how Leap Year has been observed in Saratoga County in the past.  Here are a few snippets collected from the always useful www.FultonHistory.com historical newspapers site that give us a glimpse into Leap Years past. January 29, 1880, found Corinth residents planning ahead for a sleighing party one month later…. Read more »

Teething, Nineteenth Century Style

Teething is one of the many challenges of both childhood and parenthood. It is a painful, tiring, and patience-testing experience for all involved. One hundred years ago, mothers frequently saw advertisements offering relief for their babies and promising rest to exhausted parents. However, some remedies had tragic consequences.

Frederick Douglass Visits Saratoga County in 1849

While online today, you may have noticed that today’s “Google Doodle” honors Frederick Douglass.  Born on an unknown date around 1818, he later chose to celebrate his birthday on February 14.  The famed abolitionist orator visited Saratoga County on a few occasions through the nineteenth century.  In 1849, he included Schuylerville, Quaker Springs, and Dean’s Corners on his speaking itinerary.  We… Read more »

A “Happy Family” of Squirrels in Ballston Spa in 1883

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day.  (Don’t believe us?  Get the rest of the story at this link.) Do you like squirrels? Ballston Spa resident Sherman Hayner certainly did.  Check out this article from the October 25, 1883 Saratoga Sentinel. The text reads: Sherman Hayner, of the Hayner house, has added two fox squirrels, male and female, to his “menagerie.”  He brought… Read more »

“A Dollar and a Dream” in the Early 19th Century

With a possible payout of over one billion dollars, everyone’s attention seems to be focused on the Powerball Lottery drawing.  But did you know that lotteries have been around for a very long time? References to lotteries date back over two thousand years in China and Rome.  Closer to home, lotteries were used to finance military forces during the French and… Read more »

Happy New Year & January Update

  “Wishing You A Sunny New Year” from all of us at Brookside! We will be closed to the public for the next month, reopening on Tuesday, February 2nd at 10 am. If you need to contact us, we recommend sending an email to info@brooksidemuseum.org Link to New Year’s Postcard on SCHS Online Collections Database.

Exhibit – An Artist’s Way: Oils and Mixed Media by Pat McEvoy

An Artist’s Way: Oils and Mixed Media by Pat McEvoy Nov. 6-Dec. 23, 2015 Join us! Friday, November 6, from 5 – 8pm at the opening reception for An Artist’s Way, a new exhibit of works by Saratoga Springs artist Pat McEvoy. McEvoy’s beautifully colorful works focus both on the majesty of landscapes and the simplicity of happenstance still-lifes. Oil paints are her primary… Read more »

Long Room Lecture Series – Thursdays in November

Long Room Lecture Series   Authors and Researchers Share Their Stories   War on the Middleline: The 1780 Ballston Raid   Thursday, November 19 7:00 pm Join us on Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 pm for “War on the Middleline,” a presentation by Jim Richmond, a local independent historian.  He will discuss the story of the local conflict between the… Read more »

Brook’toberfest 2015 was a success!!

Brook’toberfest 2015 was a great success! Thank you to all of our sponsors, vendors, volunteers and OUR GUESTS! Hope you all had a great time. Stay tuned for event pictures, raffle winners and more!

It’s that time of year- planning for school programs!

It’s getting to be that time of year!  Teachers are planning lessons, classroom visitors and field trips.  If you are a teacher or administrator, consider exploring our assorted educational programs.  We love to welcome students to programs here at the museum and we are also happy to travel to your classroom. Native New York   (Best suited for 4th and 7th… Read more »