One of the unusual items in the collection of the Saratoga County Historical Society is a small cannon. In the years following the American Revolution, it was common to celebrate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with various explosive activities, including fireworks and the firing of cannons. Some of the cannons had taken part in battles years before. Others were… Read more »
Brookside Digs: An Archeology Experience. Best suited for ages 10 – 16, participants will be able to work beside archeologists from Hartgen Archeological Associates and experience a full excavation- from the research to the digging and cleaning to the artifact analysis. This program brings together science, mathematics, social studies and… Read more »
Within Brookside’s collection is a small artifact, that appears on first glimpse to be a coin. However, the story is far more fascinating and touching than anyone might expect. This item is the identification badge or “dog tag” of Corporal William Secor of the 2nd Vermont Regiment. Originally from Saratoga County, young William, a carriage maker’s apprentice, enlisted in Vermont. He… Read more »
Authors and Researchers Share Their Stories These programs are free and open to the public, though donations are gratefully accepted. Pre-registration is not required. Presentations will be held at Brookside Museum, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society which is located at the intersection of Front Street, Charlton Street and Fairground Avenue in Ballston Spa. Additional parking is located on… Read more »
Congratulations to former Brookside volunteer Cassidy Percoco on the publication of her new book “Regency Women’s Dress: Techniques and Patterns 1800-1830.” One of the dresses in the book is from our collection, it is a beautiful unlined white cotton dress embroidered heavily in white cotton thread. Cassidy’s book offers many patterns of Regency era dresses from various New York and… Read more »
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 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.
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 »
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 »
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 »
