News

March 15, 2023

Bacon Hill Documentary Premieres

The documentary will have its first screening at a special event for History Center members on March 30th at 7 pm, which will take place at the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa.  The premiere will be at the Bacon Hill Reformed Church on April 20th at 7 pm, followed by a second showing on April 29th at 2 pm at the Brookside Museum.

Those interested in attending these events can register through the History Center’s website at https://brooksidemuseum.org/.  This documentary promises to be an engaging and informative look at the history and future of this thriving farming community.

“This is an ambitious project for the History Center,” said Field Horne, president of the History Center.  “The documentary team has captured the essence of this historic crossroads and the people that continue to call this community their home.”

Jim Richmond, volunteer documentary director, is pleased with the outcome.  “It was obvious that the people we interviewed were proud of their community and were full of optimism about the future there.  We hope we were able to capture their enthusiasm.”

Jeff King, co-owner of Kings-Ransom Farm and King Brothers Dairy with his brother Jan, may have expressed this best.  “I really valued growing up on a farm.  I was really convinced that I had the best childhood ever.”  Jeff King shared his experience with his son Johnathan, who returned to work on the farm following graduation from Cornell University.

Forgotten Crossroads – Bacon Hill has been made possible in part through funding secured from the Clear Echo Farm, King Brothers Dairy, King Wealth Management Group, Thomas Poultry Farm, Stonebridge Iron and Steel, Inc., and Welcome Stock Farm.

“This is an exceptional project that showcases the rich history and promising future of the Bacon Hill farming community.  The dedicated team, led by Richmond and videographer David Waite, has invested hundreds of hours to produce a compelling and insightful documentary that truly captures the essence of this vibrant community,” according to Horne.  “This new documentary is only one example of the History Center’s ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing the region’s many stories.”

The SCHC’s series, “Forgotten Crossroads,” explores the history of bypassed communities in Saratoga County from the 19th and 20th centuries.  Each episode highlights a different community and the stories of those still living there.

The first episode, released in April 2022, delves into the history of Rock City Falls in the town of Milton, a small hamlet located alongside Kayaderosseras Creek.  Viewers can watch the episode on the SCHC’s YouTube channel.

The SCHC has announced its most significant commitment to showcasing the rich history of Saratoga County.  This multi-year, multi-platform initiative will explore every aspect of the county’s past, culminating in the opening of an immersive exhibit in the spring of 2023 at the Brookside Museum.

According to SCHC, understanding the history of Saratoga County is essential to appreciate the community’s present and future.  “A greater Saratoga starts here,” the organization says, emphasizing the importance of this comprehensive focus.

The History Center will provide a range of innovative, exciting, and educational programs online and in-person across the county.  For more information and program updates, interested individuals are encouraged to visit www.brooksidemuseum.org or follow the Center on Facebook or Twitter @SaratogaCoHistory.