For Immediate Release Soft Cover of Lost Railroads of the Kaydeross Valley Now Available

April 12, 2007 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society, located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic Village of Ballston Spa, is pleased to announce that soft cover copies of the book Lost Railroads of the Kaydeross Valley: The Electric Trolley Line of Ballston Spa, New York are now available. The book was written by Rock City Falls resident Timothy Starr.

Mr. Starr released the book as part of Ballston Spa’s bicentennial celebration. It relates the history of the 12 mile long electric trolley railroad that served this village, West Milton, Rock City Falls, and Middle Grove in the early 1900s. Both the hard and soft cover versions of the book feature 21 full color photographs, 48 black and white photographs, reproductions of original documents, a complete history, financial data, and a timeline.

Due to strong community interest, all soft covers quickly sold out. They have now been reprinted for those who are interested in obtaining a copy. Limited hard cover versions of the book are also available. The hard cover is priced at $46.95, and the soft cover is $34.95.

The author has also written a companion book titled Lost Industries of the Kaydeross Valley which relates the history of the huge paper mills and other enterprises that dominated the area in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is due to be released in early June.

Brookside Museum, a non-profit organization located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic village of Ballston Spa, is the home of the Saratoga County Historical Society. Our mission is to inspire community memory by telling the story of Saratoga through engaging exhibits and interactive programs. For more information on Brookside, please visit our website at www.brooksidemuseum.org or call 885-4000.

Ballston Spa - April 9, 2007 - Brookside, Saratoga County Historical Society, located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic Village of Ballston Spa, is pleased to announce the receipt of a GET SET grant of $2500 to retain the help of a museum membership consultant. Brookside will secure the services of Marianne Bez to assist in the museum's membership program. 

The GET SET grant, from the New York State Council on the Arts, is administered by the Upstate History Alliance. Ms. Bez, of Cooperstown, NY, is a freelance consultant who works with non-profit organizations in trustee development, fundraising, membership planning and public relations. She has worked with numerous museums in the capital district, including the Museum Association of New York, the Chapman Historical Museum, the Scotia-Glenville Children's Museum and the Albany County Historical Association. Her work will include an assessment of the organization's membership, offering advice on ways the museum can recruit new members and help ensure that the benefits of membership are adequate. Ultimately, Brookside will develop ways to make the museum more community supported. 

The GET SET grants are one of a series of grants offered to help museums and historical societies strengthen and develop their institutions and work with their communities. These grants, administered by the Upstate History Alliance are designed to make it easy for organizations to access professional help and improve their institutions. To learn more about these grant programs, eligibility requirements and deadlines, visit UHA's web site at www.upstatehistory.org or contact Kelly Calnon Falck at the Upstate History Alliance by email at info@upstatehistory.org and by phone 1.800.895.1648.

Brookside Museum, a non-profit organization located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic village of Ballston Spa, is the home of the Saratoga County Historical Society. Our mission is to inspire community memory by telling the story of Saratoga through engaging exhibits and interactive programs. For more information on Brookside, please visit our website at www.brooksidemuseum.org or call 885-4000.

March 29, 2007 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society, located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic Village of Ballston Spa, is pleased to announce the receipt of a GO! Grant to allow museum staff member, Joy Houle, to attend the Long Tails & Tipping Points conference in Syracuse in April.

“One of the best ways to improve operations at Brookside Museum is to attend conferences like this and connect with others in the field who have encountered the same challenges we face,” said Houle, Executive Director of Brookside Museum. “This conference, in particular, is relevant because it examines the roles that museums play in the community – this is an issue Brookside constantly struggles with.” Houle, a member of the Museum Association of New York’s Board of Directors, will facilitate a discussion on “Emerging Leaders.”

The Long Tails & Tipping Points conference is a collaborative effort between the Upstate History Alliance and the Museum Association of New York.  Held in Syracuse April 15-17, the UHA/ MANY conference is the largest gathering of museum professionals in New York State. For details on the conference visit MANY’s web site at www.manyonline.org.

The GO! Grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, is administered by the Upstate History Alliance. GO! Grants are one of a series of grants offered to help museums and historical societies strengthen and develop their institutions and work with their communities. These grants make it easy for organization to access professional help and improve their institutions. To learn more about these grant programs, eligibility requirements and deadlines, visit UHA’s web site at www.upstatehistory.org or contact the Upstate History Alliance by email at info@upstatehistory.org or by phone at 800.895.1648.  

Brookside Museum, a non-profit organization located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic village of Ballston Spa, is the home of the Saratoga County Historical Society. Our mission is to inspire community memory by telling the story of Saratoga through engaging exhibits and interactive programs. For more information on Brookside, please visit our website at www.brooksidemuseum.org or call 885-4000.

April 5, 2006 (Ballston Spa, NY) 
For Immediate Release Historic House Restoration Forum
Brookside, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society, located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic village of Ballston Spa, will offer the second public forum on historic house restoration on Wednesday, April 19th at 7:00pm at the museum.
Join us for an informative night on renovation and restoration of historic homes. The panel discussion will include professionals from Brookside Restorations, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, Avalon Associates, and J. G. Waite Associates Architects. The topics include modernizing your historic home while maintaining its historic integrity, financial incentives for restoration, renovation from the architect's point of view and the benefits of the National Registry of Historic Sites and the criteria for being listed. If you have any questions please contact Erin Czernecki at (518) 885-4000 or info@brooksidemuseum.org .

March 21, 2006 (Ballston Spa, NY) For Immediate Release
Poetry Reading at Brookside First Friday
Calling all history buffs and poetry lovers! Join us on Friday April 7 at 7:00pm to hear local poet, Sandra McBride, recite her poetry. Much of McBride's poetry is inspired by events in history, and can be found in her publication, Mist Upon The Pond.
A native of Mechanicville, NY and lifelong resident of Halfmoon, Sandra E. McBride is the mother of six and grandmother of sixteen. Her poetry has appeared in five June Cotner anthologies, in Once Upon A Time, NEWN, Mail Call Journal and online at www.historyonline.net and Magic Lark Journal. She has also published several short stories, including one in the January 2006 issue of her Circle ezine. Her children's story, The Enemy, set during the retreat from Saratoga in 1777, will appear in the October 2006 issue of Highlights for Children. In April 2004, she was honored by her hometown library as their featured poet for National Poetry Month.
This event is part of Ballston Spa's First Friday events, and is free and open to the public.

March 2, 2006 (Ballston Spa, NY) For Immediate Release BROOKSIDE RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING
Brookside, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society, located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic village of Ballston Spa, is pleased to announce the receipt of a Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) grant from Heritage Preservation.
The CAP will pay for an assessment of the museum's collections and facilities, helping to identify problems and offer suggestions for improving collections care at the museum. 
"This is the first step in improving our collections management system," said Joy Houle, Executive Director of Brookside Museum. "We expect this assessment to help us better care for Saratoga County's historic artifacts."
The Conservation Assessment Program is a technical assistance program that provides eligible museums with a general conservation assessment. CAP is administered by Heritage Preservation, a national organization dedicated to preserving our nation's heritage.

February 27, 2006 (Ballston Spa, NY) Scholarship Opportunity for High School Students in Saratoga County The Saratoga County Historical Society (Brookside Museum)  is developing and will publish a book written by and about the citizens of Saratoga County. The book entitled "In Our Own Words: The Story of Saratoga County" will contain three main sections.  Section one will contain historical information about the county and the people and places that make it special. The second and largest section of the book will contain personal stories written about what Saratoga County citizens love the most about their community. The last section will be on local businesses and what those establishments have brought to the area.
Because it is important that our county's youth also participate in this project, we, along with Harris Connect, Inc., the publishing company, have developed a scholarship program to be offered to high school students throughout the county. 9th - 12th grade students in Saratoga County can particpate by writing a story about their family's history and submit it to their school, along with one or two photos. The winning student  will receive a $500 scholarship, and those selected as second and third place winners will each receive a $250 scholarship, in addition to having their stories published in the book. The deadline for admissions is May 1, 2006. The winner will be announced in June, 2006. For more information, please see your school's guidance counselor, or contact Joy Houle.
The book project will also open up to all Saratoga County residents, both past and present. So, gather your photos and start jotting down some of your favorite memories and places in the county. Then go to www.legacyeditions.com\saratogacounty or call (888)771-8661 for more information on how to submit your story. Participating in this project is free, fun and easy! The book "In Our Own Words: The Story of Saratoga County" is expected to be published in early 2007.

February 13, 2006 (Ballston Spa, NY) On Wednesday April 26, 2006, Ballston Town Historian Rick Reynolds will present the second in a series of three presentations on the history of the Town of Ballston. "19th Century Ballston: A Town Grows Up" includes the stories and scenes of a century when railroads, trolleys, and mansions play a major role in the town. The presentation will be held at Brookside Museum, Charlton Street, Ballston Spa at 7pm. The program is free and all are welcome.
For further information, contact Rick Reynolds, Town Historian, Town of Ballston. 
Home:(518)399-6778 Email: rreyno17@nycap.rr.com

December 6, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY)  Join Brookside’s Book Club on Friday, December 16th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM as we welcome Penny Heritage and Stan “Doc” Garrison to discuss Burnt Hills Veterinary Tails: The Life, Adventures and Legacy of Stan “Doc” and Shirley Garrsion.

Penny and “Doc” will sign and discuss the book that not only tells of the veterinarian’s experiences, but also documents this history of a local family.  Animal lovers, local history buffs, senior citizens & aspiring veterinarians will all enjoy this engaging documentary.

Burnt Hills Veterinary Tails is on sale at Brookside Museum for $20.00.  The book signing is free and open to the public – all are welcome!  

November 22, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Just in time for the holiday shopping season! Brookside and the Ballston Area Community Center have once again partnered to produce the 3rd ornament in the Historic Ballston Spa series. This year’s featured property is Ballston Spa National Bank and this year’s feature artist is Lisa Martinez.

“The ornament is meant to be a celebration of our community’s unique heritage,” said Kathi Leigh, the Executive Director of the Ballston Area Community Center. “It was wonderful to partner with Ballston Spa National Bank and Brookside for this project.” Ballston Spa National Bank sponsored the production of the 2005 ornament. 

The ornament can be seen and purchased from Brookside Museum and at www.brooksidemuseum.org. Proceeds benefit both the Ballston Area Community Center and Brookside Museum.

November 22, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY)  In 1984 the Saratoga County Historical Society published a remarkable book, The First Respectable House: Brookside and the Growth of Ballston Spa.  In 112 richly-illustrated pages, it tells the tale of Brookside from the time it was built in 1792, and the story of the village that surrounds it. Maps pinpoint the locations of Ballston Spa's hotels, its springs, and its factories through the years, as well as the farm that was associated with the house. Twenty-five photographs show Brookside and its residents through two hundred years. The book includes 236 footnotes. Separate sections are included on the building's architecture (with plans and drawings) and its landscape. It is one of the most complete histories of a vernacular building ever written.

Only 500 copies were printed. Within two years it was sold out, and for 19 years it has been difficult to find. The book will go on sale at Brookside on Friday, December 16 for $20 per copy. To guarantee your copy, or one for holiday gift-giving, contact Brookside for a pre-sale order form. 50% of profits will go to Brookside's general fund. To maximize the benefit to Brookside, please consider a sponsorship of this book. For $35, you -- or the person you wish to honor -- will be listed on the reverse of the title page, and your copy will be signed by the author.

Pre-sale order forms and sponsorships must be submitted to Brookside by December 9 to guarantee your order. Books will go on sale at the museum after December 16.

October 31, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside, Saratoga County Historical Society, located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic Village of Ballston Spa, will host a panel discussion on how to research a historic house on November 9^th at 7:00 p.m. 

Learn how to research your historic house from historians and experienced researchers.  John Cromie, a local lawyer will give insight on doing document searches.  Doug Kerr, a researcher from the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, will discuss his own experiences and what the foundation offers.  Lorraine Komar, a resident of the Ballston Spa historic district will talk about her own experience with researching those houses.  Laura Lee Linder, the Charlton town historian will tell what resources are available at a town historians office and how they can help with research.  Steven Rutkey, a civil engineer from Malta will lend his unique view of historic structures and how the physical details of the house can tell its history. 

This community event is free to the public and all are welcome who have an interest in historic homes and learning about their history. 

October 12, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside Museum, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society, announced that its annual meeting of the membership will be held on Tuesday, October 18 at 6:00 p.m.

The agenda includes the election of officers for 2006. All members of the museum and historical society are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

August 29, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) – Brookside, Saratoga County Historical Society, located at 6 Charlton Street in the historic Village of Ballston Spa, will host a Chocolate & Champagne Fundraiser & Silent Auction on Friday, September 16, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.

The benefit will feature a chocolate fountain, an assortment of desserts, and champagne by Basil’s Creative Catering.

Tickets are now available at $35 per person or $60 per couple. Please contact Brookside Museum for information.

All proceeds raised from this event help fund Brookside's educational programs, which serve about 5,000 children annually.

April 27, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside Museum, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society, will store the Manzer Collection while the Ballston Spa Public Library is under renovation.

“The library wants to make sure that people have access to their local history collection – and Brookside is the perfect place,” said Joy Houle, Executive Director at Brookside Museum. “We are happy to temporarily store the collection and hope that researchers will visit us to use it.”

The Manzer Collection consists of books and other materials related to Saratoga County that were collected by Dr. Bruce M. Manzer while he was working on his doctorate. The collection was donated to the library in1977, and includes 12 shelves of books, 5 shelves of non-book materials, framed pictures, and over 400 pages of listings of works relevant to Saratoga County.

Also available at Brookside during the library’s renovation is the collection of Ballston Journal on microfilm, a surname file cabinet, and vital records.

Admission to Brookside is $2.00 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and students, and free to members

June 20, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside Museum, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society, will host a closing reception for Michael L. Noonan’s exhibit, Romancing the Edge of Night. The exhibit documents various astronomical phenomena that have occurred in Saratoga County, including the aurora borealis over Saratoga Lake. 

“We’ve had great success with this exhibit while it has been on display,” said Joy Houle, Brookside’s director. “People from all over the region have come to see these amazing photographs. The closing reception will give people one last chance to see these photographs displayed together.” 

Noonan’s closing reception is free and open to the public. 

Noonan will donate 10% of all photograph sales to Brookside’s Capital Campaign during the exhibit.

May 18, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside Museum will host its 3^rd annual Jailhouse Rock 5K on Saturday, August 13 at 8:30 a.m.

Organized by Trustee, Jeff Clark, in 2003, Brookside’s 5K was an immediate success, mostly because of the unique course. Starting at the top of Mohican Hill behind Brookside on Fairground Avenue, runners race to the county jail, then back, with a "fast and fabulous" downhill finish at the bottom of the hill at Brookside.  The 2^nd annual 5K drew over 200 runners; at least 200 are expected this year.

T-shirts are given to the first 125 registered and prizes are awarded to overall winners as well as males and females in 5 year categories. 

The cost of registration is $15 for pre-registrations, and $20 for day-of-race registrations. Late registration begins at 7:15 a.m. on August 13; the race kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Register online at www.active.com or download a form from www.brooksidemuseum.org.

All proceeds raised from this event help fund Brookside's educational programs, which serve about 5,000 children annually.

May 18, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside Museum and local musician, Dan Berggren, will team to raise money at the museum’s 11^th Annual Benefit Concert. The acclaimed Adirondack folk singer will perform at Brookside Museum on Saturday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. He will be joined by Ed Lowman and select members of the Ballston Spa Intermediate School chorus.

Berggren, of Ballston Spa, is an Adirondack folk singer who has been collecting, writing, and singing folk music for the past 30 years.  Having grown up in the mountains on land farmed by his mother’s family, he heard stories and songs from local friends and neighbors, and subsequently developed a style that captures the spirit of the mountains. His music has been featured nationally on public radio and television, and he has performed at festivals, coffeehouses, museums, schools, libraries, and around the country. Sleeping Giant Records has released nine of Dan’s albums, including his latest, One with the Water.

“Berggren is a talented performer,” said Cynthia Redshaw, Trustee of Brookside and organizer of the benefit concert. “We are thrilled to have him perform at this event, and are excited to have Ed Lowman and the middle school chorus be a part of this as well.” 

The proceeds from the concert benefit Brookside’s educational programs, which annually serve about 5,000 schoolchildren from Saratoga and surrounding counties.

Tickets are $15 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets please call 885-4000 or visit Brookside’s website at www.brooksidemuseum.org.

May 18, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside Museum will be closed to the public May 23 through May 27 for the installation of the new exhibit, Jumping Through Hoops: Fashion & Industry in Saratoga County. “We are trying to show that Saratoga County played a significant role in the fashion industry in the late Victorian era,” said Kathleen Coleman, Brookside volunteer and curator of the exhibit.  “Some of the critical fashion items at the time were corsets and hoop skirts for women, and collars and cuffs for men. Saratoga County was the home of industries that created all these things.”

Jumping Through Hoops will focus on two industries, namely the Ballston Skirt and Corset Factory and the Glen Paper Collar Company. Hoop skirts, corsets, collars and cuffs produced by local factories will all be on display. One highlight of the exhibit is that visitors will get to experience the challenges of wearing these items with reproductions available for trying on. 

The exhibit will officially open on Friday, June 3, with a reception from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This reception is free and open to the public, and part of Ballston Spa’s First Friday’s events.

March 4, 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside Museum, home of the Saratoga County Historical Society, announced today that it has received a $5,000 pledge from the Ballston Spa Lions Club.

Brookside is currently raising money to match a 3:1 grant from Saratoga County. All funds raised will help the museum continue the on-going restoration of their 1792 structure. Brookside needs to raise $49,500 by April 30, 2005 in order to receive $16,500 from Saratoga County. In addition to community organization grants and corporate donations, the museum is also raising funds through a personalized brick fundraiser. Anyone can purchase a brick, which will be engraved with a personalized message. The bricks will be placed on Brookside’s front pathway sometime this fall.  

“Brookside is very important to this community, and we need to make sure that the building and the organization are around for another hundred years,” said Jim Whittredge, President of the Ballston Spa Lions Club. “In addition to pledging our support, the Lions Club is challenging other community organizations to support Brookside as well." 

According to Joy Houle, Executive Director of Brookside, the Lions Club has been supporting the museum for many years. “Every year they contact us asking how they can help, last year they made our back staircase stable, a few years ago they built our barn with the Rotary Club. I’m not sure what we’d accomplish without them." 

All community organizations are invited to participate in the Lions Club Challenge. Anyone interested in purchasing a brick can contact Joy at Brookside at 885-4000 or jhoule@brooksidemuseum.org.

March 2005 (Ballston Spa, NY) Brookside Museum recently kicked off a Capital Campaign fundraiser to fund more critical work to the museum’s historic structure.

Individuals and organizations can purchase personalized bricks, which will be placed on the museum’s front pathway this Fall. Proceeds from this fundraiser will pay for the next phase of the building’s restoration, which will be the replacement of the cedar shingles on the roof and stabilizing the Northwest side of the building.

Bricks cost $60 for an individual or family and $195 for an organization (includes logo). Each brick can have 3 lines, with a maximum of 20 characters per line.

Leave your mark on the path of history and help us preserve Saratoga County’s history one brick at a time.

Order forms and fundraiser details can be found online at www.brooksidemuseum.org/bricks.htm or by calling 885-4000.