Old Iron Spring
In the small village of Ballston Spa, NY, a monument stands, encapsulating the rich and varied history of the community. 

Discovered in 1767, the "healing waters" of the mineral spring quickly became the impetus for settlement, growth and rise to fame for Ballston Spa as a resort community into the early 1800s.

An excerpt from local history guide Through the Years, A Pictorial History of Ballston Spa states "the medicinal virtues of these waters have of late attracted much attention and Ballston has become a place of fashionable resort in the summer."

The spring house constructed in 1887 continues to house the spring, inviting visitors to view the Victorian-styled architecture, sample its cool waters and remember an era of simplified opulence. 

2003 Featured Artist Karin Vollkommer
Inspired by the legacy of local history, Karin Vollkommer's paintings are a result of many hours of research at local libraries and museums, studying old photos, news articles, and other historic data, as well as listening to sties and recollections from the locals. 

When asked why she believes her paintings are so popular, Ms. Vollkommer states, "Everyone seems to like nostalgic images. So I guess nostalgia, uniqueness and local subject matter is the recipe for me."

Enjoyed by thousands around the globe, Karin's paintings have been exhibited locally, in the country of Japan, the Museum of American Folk Art in New York, the Historic Preservation Foundation in Washington, D.C., J.C. Penney's and even in Disneyland.

Ms. Vollkommer maintains, "The public's appreciation of the finished artwork is one of my most cherished rewards."

Brookside
Nestled in a hollow at the foot of Mohegan Hill, Brookside represents over two hundred years of local history and culture.

Built in 1792 by Benajah Douglas, Brookside accommodated the tourists who came to sample the “healing waters” of Ballston Spa’s mineral springs. In the early 1800s, Brookside was known as one of the most attractive places to stay in the village, rivaling other well-known hotels, such as the Sans Souci, the Eagle, and the Medbery.

By the mid-1840s the tourist industry moved from Ballston Spa to Saratoga Springs, taking with it much of the hotel business. Since then, Brookside has served various purposes, including a school for boys. In the late 1800s, the Mann’s, a leading Ballston Spa family , made Brookside their private residence. In the early 1900s, Brookside became a sanitarium, and then was transformed into a series of apartments used until the 1960s.

Today, Brookside is the home the Saratoga County Historical Society. The museum tells the story of Saratoga County through exhibits and programs and welcomes the community to explore their heritage.

2004 Featured Artist Phil Spaziani
Phil refers to Ballston Spa as, “a place of considerable character and historic interest.” Blending his strong appreciation of local history with his love of light on buildings and nature’s forms, Phil has beautifully recorded local scenes in the village of Ballston Spa. “Brookside” is one of a series of paintings Phil calls Picturing a Village. All works feature “interesting places” in the village of Ballston Spa.

Phil earned his Studio Art MA at SUNY Albany, was a founding member of the Graphic Artists of New York, and taught high school art for many years. He has exhibited his artwork in New York City, Washington D.C. and throughout the Capital Region, winning prizes in several Hudson-Mohawk Regional Exhibitions, The Saratoga Springs Outdoor Art Show, and the annual Schenectady Stockade Art show.

Phil is also a strong supporter of Brookside Museum and has been a member for many years. He says, “Brookside gives us a glimpse into the daily life of those who settled this area and built the community. The museum’s collections help us to understand their contributions and inspire us to add our own.”

Ballston Spa National Bank
Ballston Spa National Bank held its first organizational meeting on December 8, 1838. At that time there was only one other financial institution in Saratoga County. The Village of Ballston Spa, as the county seat, a tourist destination, and home to rapidly developing industry, needed a new bank to handle the growing community’s financial needs.

The building, at 87 Front Street, was originally built as a home in 1821. The brick building featured late-federal architectural details, with elegant end gables and paired chimneys. Ballston Spa National Bank purchased the house in 1839 from Mrs. Johannah Hawkins and it has remained the bank’s home ever since. The art nouveau street clock was added in 1926.

Today, Ballston Spa National Bank provides support and services to nine local communities and is the oldest financial institution headquartered in Saratoga County.

2005 Featured Artist Lisa Martinez
Lisa, a member of the Strolling Village Artisans in Ballston Spa, is privileged to be part of the revitalization of the Village. “Ballston Spa has such an interesting history, its great to see new businesses opening that will add to the uniqueness and personality of the village.”

Formally trained in photography at the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver, Colorado, Lisa has been painting for twenty-five years. She sells her work and teaches painting and photography at the Strolling Village Artisans shop and gallery.

“As an artist, I strive to reveal to the view the magic and beauty I see in the world around me. When people enjoy looking at my work, I am successful.”

The Village Office
The building at 66 Front Street is unique among Ballston Spa’s historic structures in that it has consistently served the public throughout its 134-year history. Although it was built after the village’s peak as a tourist attraction, this building’s magnificent design was likely meant to inspire a sense of grandeur in those who visited.

Designed by architect Marcus F. Cummings of Troy in 1873, the building is a beautiful example of commercial Italianate with repeated variations of arches on the windows and doors.

Costing $30,000 to construct, the building was used by the First National Bank of Ballston Spa until its failure shortly after the 1929 stock market crash. When Ballston Spa National Bank took over in 1931, the building was sold for $2,500. Since 1937, the Village of Ballston Spa has used 66 Front Street as its municipal headquarters.

2007 Featured Artist Donna P. Martin
Although born in The Netherlands, Donna Martin likes to think of herself as a native Ballstonian. Donna moved to the Village of Ballston Spa at the age of ten and has since called Ballston Spa home. Together, she and her husband, Pete, own and operate Village Photo, LLC, a combined portrait studio and photo lab, that has been thriving since 2001. They are especially proud to have been a part of the start of the revitalization of the village’s downtown area.

Never formally trained, Donna says “it is absolutely necessary in this day of photographic evolution to study and do research on almost a daily basis.”

By far, her favorite subject to photograph is people. “Making a connection with the person I am photographing is the key to a successful portrait. It is my ultimate goal every time I shoot.”