News
January 5, 2023“Finish the Job”: A Successful Campaign!
The Saratoga County History Center announced today that its “Finish the Job!” campaign surpassed its $46,000 goal to preserve the Brookside Museum and its history. The fundraiser from November and December will replace 70-year-old storm windows, renovate the museum’s storage areas and store, refinish floors, and enhance its energy efficiency. The trustees of the Saratoga County History Center wish to thank the community for their generosity and commitment to preserving public history. The campaign yielded an impressive $56,553.
“We are continually amazed by the generosity of our supporters,” said Field Horne, history center president. “We went hat-in-hand to our friends and neighbors, asking them to help us save this awe-inspiring piece of local history, and they rallied and responded well beyond our expectations.”
Among the objectives is energy efficiency. The often-delicate historical materials in the building will benefit from that work. “At the end of the pandemic, over the past two years, we have experienced strong growth in our operations and museum attendance,” said Mr. Horne. “This project is the next step in ensuring the future of the History Center in preserving and sharing the different stories of Saratoga County.”
“Support for our ‘Finish the Job!’ campaign is the second capital campaign for the Saratoga County History Center,” said Sean Kelleher, vice president of the history center. “The first campaign funded the restoration of the iconic porch; now we are doing energy efficiency and building restorations that will allow visitors to safely access the museum, grounds, and library for generations to come. It would not have been possible without support from the community. We thank our community for its continued efforts to help preserve this treasure, which is an important part of Saratoga County’s history.”
“The generosity humbles us,” adds Jon Hallgren, who will oversee the restoration. “We will ensure that Brookside stands bold and beautiful for another 200 years.”
In addition to the Brookside Museum, the History Center provides various innovative, exciting, and educational programs online and in-person across the county. For more information about Saratoga County History Center and program updates, please visit www.brooksidemuseum.org, or find the Center on Facebook or Twitter @SaratogaCoHistory for updates and announcements.
