Saratoga Springs History Museum facts for kids
The Saratoga Springs History Museum is a cool place in Saratoga Springs, New York. It's inside the old Canfield Casino. This museum tells the story of Saratoga Springs and its people. It shows how life used to be in this famous New York town.
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." Its first leader was Joseph William Drexel. The museum moved into the Canfield Casino in 1911. The Casino building itself is even older, built in 1870.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum is open all year for visitors. It has a huge collection of old papers, photos, art, and items. These things all help tell the history of Saratoga Springs. The museum also has special exhibits that change over time. This means there's always something new to see!
Special Collections to Explore
The museum has some really unique collections. One is the Bolster Collection. It has tons of old photos from the 1800s and 1900s. Another is the Walworth Memorial Museum. This part of the museum shows items and records from the Walworth family. They were a very important family in New York.
Amazing Photo and Document Collections
The George S. Bolster Collection is super big! It has 375,000 photo negatives. These pictures show Saratoga Springs from 1855 to 1980. Most of these photos were taken by a photographer named George S. Bolster. Other photographers like Harry B. Settle and Seneca Ray Stoddard also contributed. These photos show how the city changed over many years.
The Beatrice Sweeney Archive holds thousands of important papers. It includes business records, like those from the famous Caffè Lena. These documents help us understand how businesses worked in the past.
The museum also has items from the George S. Batcheller Collection. George Sherman Batcheller (1837–1908) was a very important person. He was a lawyer, a diplomat, and a judge. He even served as the United States Ambassador to Portugal. His old home near Congress Park has been fixed up. Some of his personal items are on display at the museum.
The Walworth Family Story
Seven rooms in the museum are all about the Walworth family. They were one of the most well-known families in New York in the 1800s. The father, Reuben Hyde Walworth (1788–1867), was a top judge in New York. He was called the Chancellor of the State of New York. His son, Clarence Augustus Walworth (1820–1900), became a Catholic priest. His daughter-in-law, Ellen Hardin Walworth (1832–1915), helped start the Daughters of the American Revolution. This group helps remember the people who fought for American independence.
Watch and Learn: Video Archives
The museum has a YouTube channel! You can watch many of the talks and programs they've had there. They also have short videos about the museum and Saratoga Springs. It's a great way to learn more from home.
