GREAT MUSEUMS IN SARATOGA SPRINGS
GREAT MUSEUMS IN SARATOGA SPRINGS
By: Camille Hord
Saratoga Springs is noted for Health, History and Horses, and that is evident is many of the museums in the City. Here is a small synopsis of each one:
SARATOGA HISTORY MUSEUM located in the famed Casino in congress Park. It tells the story of this great city from its beginnings to modern day times. One of the founders of this museum was Ellen Hardin Walworth, one of the four original founders of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The museum presents changing exhibitions and public programs. The museum cares for over 15,000 artifacts and photographs of over 325,000 images of Saratoga.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DANCE & HALL OF FAME is located at 99 South Broadway and was established in 1986 as the only museum in the country that is dedicated entirely to the art of dance. The museum’s archives a growing collection of photographs, videos, costumes, biographies and artifacts that honor all forms of dance throughout history. This venue is often used for weddings and many Galas.
NEW YORK STATE MILITARY MUSEUM is located directly across the street from the Saratoga Springs Fire station. The building was designed by Isaac Perry and constructed in 1889. It is a great example of armory architecture that was popular in upstate New York in the late 1800’s. It houses over 10,000 artifacts going back to the Revolutionary War to Desert Storm that relate to New York State’s military history and the contributions of the New York veterans. The museum owns the largest collection of state battle flags in the country and the largest collection of Civil War flags in the world.
THE TANG TEACHING MUSEUM AT SKIDMORE COLLEGE is located on the beautiful campus of Skidmore College. The Tang offers many programs for schools, including classroom visits, fields trips and many other resources used in enriching the education of K-12 students. There are numerous exhibitions and programs that expose them to the arts. The Tang is nationally known for its architecture and its holdings. The museum has a private collection of over 5,000 works, including pieces by Rembrandt, deGoya, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, just to name a few.
THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF SARATOGA is located at 69 Caroline St. and is committed to nurturing active parent involvement in children’s learning. It inspires curiosity, imagination and discovery. It is often the venue for birthday parties.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING AND HALL OF FAME is located on Union Ave., across from the famed race track. It has a varied collection of art, artifacts and memorabilia that documents cultural history of Thoroughbred racing in America from the 18th century to the present. It displays trophies, sculpture, paintings, photographs and too much to address here. It also has a great gift shop and is also used as a venue for parties.
SARATOGA HARNESS RACING MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME is located at 352 Jefferson St. and is dedicated to the protection of harness racing memories and to support the standard bred industry. Memorabilia, photos, artifacts and exhibits.
Wondering through these museums should keep you busy for a few days and I have found each one of them very interesting and informative.