Saratoga Springs History Museum facts for kids
The Saratoga Springs History Museum is a cool place in Saratoga Springs, New York. It's located inside the old and famous Canfield Casino. This museum is all about the interesting past and culture of Saratoga Springs. It shows how people lived, what they did, and how the city grew over time.
Contents
Discover the Saratoga Springs History Museum
The Saratoga Springs History Museum started a long time ago, in October 1883. It was first called "The Historical Society of Saratoga." The museum has been in the beautiful Canfield Casino building since 1911. The Casino itself was built in 1870.
You can visit the museum all year round! It has a huge collection of old documents, photos, artworks, and objects. These items all tell the story of Saratoga Springs. Anyone can come to see them and learn about the city's history. Besides its main collection, the museum also has special exhibits that change from time to time.
Two important parts of the museum are:
- The Bolster Collection: This is a huge collection of old photos from the 1800s and 1900s.
- The Walworth Memorial Museum: This section has items and records from the Walworth family, who were very important in New York's history.
Amazing Photo Collections
The museum has an incredible collection of photos called the George S. Bolster Collection. It includes 375,000 photo negatives! These pictures show life in Saratoga Springs from 1855 all the way to 1980. Many different photographers took these photos over the years. About three-quarters of them were taken by a photographer named George S. Bolster. The rest come from other talented photographers like Harry B. Settle and Seneca Ray Stoddard.
The Beatrice Sweeney Archive is another part of the museum's collection. It holds thousands of documents and business records. For example, it has papers from the famous Caffè Lena, a well-known coffeehouse.
The museum also displays items from the George S. Batcheller Collection. George Sherman Batcheller (1837-1908) was a very important person. He was a lawyer, a diplomat (someone who represents their country in other nations), a judge, and a politician. He even served as the United States Ambassador to Portugal! Some of his personal belongings are on display at the museum. His old mansion, which looks over Congress Park, has also been restored.
Explore the Walworth Memorial Museum
Seven rooms in the museum are dedicated to the Walworth family. They were one of the most famous families in New York during the 1800s.
The father, Reuben Hyde Walworth (1788–1867), was a very important judge. He served as the top judge, called the Chancellor of New York State, from 1828 to 1848. His son, Clarence Augustus Walworth (1820–1900), became a Catholic priest. His daughter-in-law, Ellen Hardin Walworth (1832–1915), helped start a well-known group called the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Watch Videos About Saratoga's History
The museum also has a YouTube channel! You can find many videos there, including recordings of lectures and programs they've hosted. They also have short videos about the museum itself and the history of Saratoga Springs. It's a great way to learn more from home!
