SARATOGA SPRINGS — After a sold-out season of Summer Sunday Strolls in 2021, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is thrilled to announce that this year’s strolls start on June 12th! These historic walking tours will be offered every Sunday through September 4th at 10:30AM in various neighborhoods throughout the city. Tours highlight the mineral springs of downtown, mail-order houses on the east side, mansions of North Broadway, architecture of the Saratoga Spa State Park, the diverse history of the historic West Side, and much more.
Join the Foundation for the first of 13 exciting tours of historic Saratoga Springs, which kicks off with
“HISTORIC MADISON & FIFTH AVENUES” on Sunday, June 12th at 10:30AM! Deborah Studwell will lead a tour of these grand residential streets that are lined with a variety of Victorian and Craftsman style houses. This stroll highlights the architecture and historical development of this important neighborhood near the Saratoga Race Course. This tour meets at the northeast corner of Nelson and Fifth Avenues.
In celebration of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, the Foundation is pleased to offer the exclusive tour “BRANDTVILLE BOOGIE” on Sunday, June 19th with Carol Daggs. This fun, family-friendly walking tour will invite guests to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Saratoga Springs neighborhood historically known as Brandtville. Dating back to the 1800s, this historically African American rural farming community is located at the southeastern edge of the city, highlighting Crescent Street and Doten Avenue. The nearly one-mile loop encourages participants to look for the oldest homes in the neighborhood and identify other interesting remnants that remain in Brandtville. This tour meets at the driveway of 29 Doten Avenue.
All Sunday morning tours last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours will be limited to thirty and tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. For additional information on these summer strolls or to purchase tickets to any of these upcoming tours visit www.saratogapreservation.org, call (518) 587-5030, or email Jacqueline Bunge, Events & Programs Coordinator at jbunge@saratogapreservation.org.
Upcoming programs:
SUNDAY, JUNE 12 | 10:30AM
HISTORIC MADISON & FIFTH AVENUES
Deborah Studwell will lead a tour of these grand residential streets that are lined with a variety of Victorian and Craftsman stylehouses. This stroll highlights the architecture and historical development of this important neighborhood near the Saratoga Race Course.
Meet at: NE corner of Nelson and Fifth avenues
SUNDAY, JUNE 19 | 10:30AM
BRANDTVILLE BOOGIE
In celebration of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, the Foundation is pleased to offer the exclusive tour with Carol Daggs. This fun, family-friendly walking tour will invite guests to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Saratoga Springs neighborhood historically known as Brandtville. Dating back to the 1800s, this historically African American rural farming community is located at the southeastern edge of the city, highlighting Crescent Street and Doten Avenue. The nearly one-mile loop encourages participants to look for the oldest homes in the neighborhood and identify other interesting remnants that remain in Brandtville.
Meet at: Driveway of 29 Doten Avenue
SUNDAY, JUNE 26 | 10:30AM
WEALTH & WELLNESS: FRANKLIN SQUARE
Carrie Woerner, Assemblywoman and former SSPF Executive Director, will highlight historic Franklin Square, our city’s oldest residential neighborhood. Today it is a veritable showcase of American architectural history.
Meet at: NW corner of Division Street and Railroad
SUNDAY, JULY 3 | 10:30AM
HISTORIC WEST SIDE
George DeMers will lead guests through the restored West Side to learn about Saratoga’s Irish and Italian immigrants as well as the black community who helped shape this unique district.
Meet at: Entrance of Gideon Putnam Burying Ground located on South Franklin Street
SUNDAY, JULY 10 | 10:30AM
GREENRIDGE CEMETERY HISTORY: PART I
Gloria May will tell the stories of the earliest residents of Saratoga, visiting the oldest grave from the 1700s that predates the cemetery and the marker of the first person to be buried in Greenridge Cemetery when it opened. Learn about the Civil War monument with those who proudly served in service to our country and be introduced to the prominent families of Saratoga – the Walworths, the Marvins and the Batchellers.
Meet at: The Sackett Gate entrance on Lincoln Avenue
SUNDAY, JULY 17 | 10:30AM
GREENRIDGE CEMETERY HISTORY: PART II
Continuing the stories of families introduced in Part I, Gloria May will visit the hill that is the final resting place of many of the original residents of North Broadway. Highlights include the Spanish American War Memorial, the Daughters of the American Revolution monument, and Marylou Whitney’s gravesite. See the markers of John Clarke and John Steele relocated from the Gideon Putnam Burying Ground.
Meet at: The entrance on Greenridge Place
SUNDAY, JULY 24 | 10:30AM
TAKING THE WATERS
Join Charlie Kuenzel, president of the Saratoga Springs History Museum, to learn about the history of the waters. Saratoga Springs was the number one tourist destination in the 1800’s because of its naturally occurring mineral springs. Known as a premiere health resort, Saratoga attracted the rich and famous to drink and bathe in the healing waters. Strollers are invited to not only learn about the history, but also sample the waters along the tour route. Meet at: High Rock Park located on High Rock Avenue and ends in Congress Park
SUNDAY, JULY 31 | 10:30AM
SUMMER COTTAGES OF NORTH BROADWAY
Executive Director Samantha Bosshart will lead a tour of beautiful North Broadway, highlighting the architecture and sharing entertaining stories of those who built and resided in the grand residences.
Meet at: NW corner of North Broadway and Van Dam Street in front of Witt Construction
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7 | 10:30AM
THE SPA COMPLEX
Join Linda Harvey to discover the architecture and landscape of the significant National Historic Landmark Saratoga Spa State Park while learning about its development.
Meet at: Outside of the Hall of Springs located at 108 Avenue of the Pines
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14 | 10:30AM
MAIL ORDER HOUSES OF SARATOGA
Madison C. Squires will lead this tour of houses on East and Pinewood avenues, which highlights the “Kit House” era – a time when the average person could not only put a check through the mail, but order and receive an entire house as well.
Meet at: NW corner of Lake and East avenues
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 | 10:30AM
POST TIME
Join Georgia Horner to explore the area surrounding the Saratoga Race Course. This walking tour highlights the history of the Reading Rooms, National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Training Track, and the Fasig-Tipton Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion.
Meet at: SE corner of Nelson and Union avenues
SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 | 10:30AM
DOWN IN THE VALLEY: EXPLORING THE GUT
Stroll leader Alexandra Morgan will explore the area behind Broadway known as “The Gut,” which was home to many working class and Jewish families who provided important contributions to the community.
Meet at: Hathorn Spring at the NW corner of Putnam and Spring streets
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 | 10:30AM
SKIDMORE’S FIRST HOME
Debbie Studwell will tour the area of Skidmore College’s first campus. In 1903, Lucy Scribner purchased 82 Circular Street to establish the Young Women’s Industrial Club of Saratoga that became Skidmore College. Over time, the campus expanded to Union Avenue and the surrounding streets.
Meet at: SE corner of Spring & Circular streets
***** PSAs *****
The 12866 