Mr. Post wrote the book, “Soldiers of Saratoga County: From Concord to Kabul” (2010, The History Press), which focuses on veterans from the American Revolution to the current War on Terror.  He will be joined by Robert Nevins, founder of the Saratoga War Horse program, who will explain how this equine-based program helps soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan deal with the emotional scars of war.

Mr. Post will also discuss the late Fred Dunson, Saratoga Springs’ last surviving Spanish-American War veteran; and the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, whose 150th anniversary will be observed next summer.  One of its heroes was Ballston Spa native Lt. Col. Abner Doubleday, who played a critical role in the Union Army’s victory.

The Brown Bag Series is a monthly, hour-long program presented in partnership by the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center and the Saratoga Springs Public Library.  This event is conducted in the Dutcher Community Room located on the main floor of the library.

This program is free, open to the public and begins promptly at noon. Tea and coffee are provided.  For more information, please contact the Visitor Center at 518-587-3241.

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The Sanford Stud Farm was originally known as Hurricana Stock Farm.  Postcard image provided by the Saratoga Springs Public Library’s Saratoga Room.

Join us for the first of our 2013 Spring Brown Bag Lunch Series with guest lecturer, Sam Hildebrandt, Jr. His talk will center on Sanford Stud Farm, originally known as Hurricana Stock Farm in Amsterdam, NY, and its metamorphosis from a “diversion” for Stephen Sanford, international carpet magnate, to take his mind away from the stress associated with one of the largest carpet manufacturing facilities in the United States.

That “diversion” grew from a small 60-acre farm to an 1,100-acre facility that would ultimately become one of the major contributors in the early days of thoroughbred horse racing, not only at Saratoga, but throughout the United States.  We will look at the farm from its inception in the 1880′s to its ultimate demise in the 1970′s and the project to restore what little is left of the facility and its nomination to the national Register of Historic Sites.

Lou “Sam” Hildebrandt, Jr. is the son of one of the more successful Sanford Stud Farm contract riders (1930′s-40′s), a retired school teacher, author and public speaker. While born in Amsterdam, NY, he now resides in Glens Falls, NY and is the past president of the friends of Sanford Stud Farm and one of its founders.

This monthly, hour-long program is presented in partnership with the Saratoga Springs Public Library. It takes place in the Dutcher Community room located on the main floor of the Library. This event is free, open to the public, and  begins promptly at noon.

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Many thanks to the generosity of our Saratoga community for the multitude of thoughtful, beautiful, brand-new donations to the Visitor Center Mitten Tree!  Over 190 items were donated this year, half of which were hand- made. Donated items were delivered to the Franklin Community Center on January 4th for distribution throughout the winter.  Thank you all for your kindness and generosity!

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October 11th will welcome Park Ranger/Historian Eric Schnitzer of Saratoga National Park. During the American revolution, about 5% of the Continental Soldiers were African Americans. They fought shoulder to shoulder with white soldiers–but an integrated army would not occur again until the Korean War. Eric will discuss evidence from memoirs, muster rolls and pay lists which document the roles of nearly 500 free and enslaved black men and boys who fought on both sides in “the most important battle of the last 1,000 years.”

November 8th is not too early to think about the upcoming holiday season! Cheryl Hurd, author of several “little books for Victorian pursuits”, will discuss traditional Victorian seasonal festivities including dressing the whole family to go visiting and decorating the home for the holidays. She will demonstrate how to put together an authentic-looking Victorian outfit just in time for Saratoga Springs’ upcoming Victorian Streetwalk.

December 13th is a tribute to Gideon Putnam. Dave Patterson and Charlie Kuenzel present this not-to-be missed talk about our city’s founding father. In 1789, Gideon and Doanda Putnam arrived in Saratoga Springs and recognized that the natural occurring mineral springs were an asset that could be used as a drawing card for visitors to our new city. Gideon not only built the first hotel here, he also tubed the springs, laid out many of the streets, donated the land for schools, churches and a cemetery. Gideon had the vision that helped to turn a pine forest into a world-class resort in the 1800′s. Come hear Dave and Charlie discuss the life and times of Gideon, which is marked by his death 200 years ago on December 1st.

The Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series is a monthly, hour-long program presented in partnership by the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center and the Saratoga Springs Public Library and is conducted in the Dutcher Community Room located on the main floor of the library.

This program is free and open to the public, and begins promptly at noon. Tea and coffee are provided. For more information, please contact the Visitor Center at 518-587-3241.

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We offer a daily tour of Congress Park entitled “History, Legends, Lore & More”. Here you will explore the oldest park in the state and learn why it was one of America’s earliest resort destinations. This tour departs the Visitor Center daily at 10:30a.m. rain or shine and is 90 minutes long.

We also offer a twice-weekly tour entitled “Saratoga Trunk” which highlights Saratoga Springs in the 1880’s and is based on the novel by Edna Ferber. This tour is being offered on Mondays & Thursdays at 1:30p.m. and departs from the Saratoga Visitors Center. It is 60 minutes long.

Tickets are $5 for adults and children under 12 are free. The Visitor Center located at 297 Broadway, directly across from Congress Park. Please call 587-3241 for questions about our tours or email Lisa.Fernet@saratoga-springs.org .

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A renewed interest in this journey through slavery and Mr. Northup’s ultimate return to  his family in upstate New York after twelve long years has been prompted by the star-studded film spearheaded and produced by Brad Pitt  and directed by the highly acclaimed British director, Steve McQueen.  This year’s program will feature guest speakers, fiddlers, as well as the latest news on the new film currently in production.  This event is free and open to the public.  Stay tuned for details!

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The Visitor’s Center is currently looking for Tour Guides for our 2012 season which begins the first week of July.  Our “History, Legends, Lore & More” tour of Congress Park encompasses the park’s history, springs, statuary, fountains, landscaping & restored carousel.

We are seeking volunteers who can give our tours once daily at 10:30am for 90 minutes.  We will be offering a training session in mid-June for those interested in becoming Guides.  For more information contact the Visitor’s Center at (518)587-3241 or email:  Lisa.Fernet@saratoga-springs.org

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“A Visit from President Grant”

Steve Trimm, a researcher and educator of Ulysses S. Grant, will present a living history of our 18th President, who spent his final days at Mount McGregor.

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We are seeking volunteers who can give our tours once daily at 10:30am for 90 minutes.  We will be offering a training session in mid-June for those interested in becoming Guides.  For more information contact the Visitor’s Center at (518)587-3241 or email:  Lisa.Fernet@saratoga-springs.org

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The Spring Brown Bag Lunch Series began on March 8th with “A Walk on Broadway 1874″ presented by tour guides extraordinaire, Charlie Kuenzel and Dave Patterson. There was standing room only as the crowd was taken on a visual Broadway stroll.

April 19th’s presentation at 12:00 pm noon, at the H. Dutcher Community Room in the Saratoga Springs Public Library will be truly entertaining!  City Historian Mary Ann Fitzgerald will share the story of composer, lyricist, and ballad singer, Chauncey Olcott and how he came to choose Saratoga Springs as his summer home. A special tribute will be sung by a quartet from Racing City Chorus of Olcott’s famous song, “My Wild Irish Rose.”

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This month, yet another keen eye is reflected in the work of Michael Weitzman. “The Best of the Best” features exquisite photographs set out to capture the abundant beauty that surrounds us all. Whether it be a rare butterfly or late day reflections of sunlight on the Schroon River, Michael Weitzman seeks to draw the viewer in. Visceral, colorful and magical work!

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Next months presentation is one  not to be missed!  Sam Aldrich will share his many experiences over the years as an activist and public servant.  At 25 he danced with Queen Elizabeth II in London. At 37, he marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma  …  ” Dancing with the Queen, Marching with King,” his newly published memoir speaks of these and many more of Mr. Aldrich’s encounters.  Sam Aldrich chose to live his life making a difference with ideals and personal commitments to the word in which he lives.  It is an honor to have Mr. Aldrich grace our programming on October 13th at the Saratoga Springs Public Library from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM.  Plan to arrive early; this one is not to be missed!

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