The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has announced that this year’s “Summer Strolls” start on Sunday, June 16th. These historic walking tours will be offered every Sunday at 10:30 am through August 25th in various neighborhoods throughout Saratoga Springs.
Tours highlight the Gut neighborhood, mail-order houses on the east side, the diverse history of the historic West Side, mansions of North Broadway, and much more. The Summer Sunday Strolls historically sell out early, so get tickets early.
Down in the Valley: Exploring the Gut – On Sunday, June 16th at 10:30 am Alexandra Morgan will lead an exploration of 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. This tour meets at the northwest corner of Putnam and Spring streets at the Hathorn Spring.
Mail Order Houses of Saratoga – On Sunday, June 23rd, Madison Squires will lead this tour featuring houses on East and Pinewood avenues, which meets at the Northwest corner of Lake and East avenues. Squires will highlight 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.
The Historic West Side – On Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 10:30 am George Demers will lead guests through the diverse West Side neighborhood where Saratoga Springs’ Irish and Italian immigrants and black community lived. This tour meets at the entrance of Gideon Putnam Burying Ground located on South Franklin Street.
Wealth & Wellness – On Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 10:30 am Carrie Woerner, NYS Assemblywoman and former SSPF Executive Director, will lead a tour through the architecturally rich historic Franklin Square area. This tour meets at the northwest corner of Division Street and Railroad Place.
Skidmore’s First Home – On July 14, 2024 at 10:30 am Debbie Studwell will tour the area formerly home to the Young Women’s Industrial Club of Saratoga, which would later become Skidmore College. This tour meets at the southeast corner of Spring & Circular streets
Summer Cottages of North Broadway – On Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 10:30 am until 12:30 pm SSPF Executive Director Samantha Bosshart will lead a tour of North Broadway, highlighting the architecture and sharing entertaining stories of those who built and resided in the grand residences. This tour meets at the northwest NW corner of North Broadway and Van Dam Street in front of Witt Construction.
Historic Madison & Fifth Avenues – On Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 10:30 am Debbie Studwell will lead a tour of these grand residential streets lined with elegant Victorian and Craftsman houses near the Saratoga Race Course. This tour meets at the northeast corner of Nelson and Fifth Avenues.
Historic Congress Park – On Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 10:30 am Charlie Kuenzel will lead an entertaining and educational stroll through historic Congress Park. This tour meets outside of the Canfield Casino.
Horsin’ Around North Broadway – On Sunday, August 11, 2024 from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm SSPF Executive Director Samantha Bosshart will highlight those associated with horseracing and the beautiful architecture of North Broadway. This tour meets at the northwest corner of North Broadway and Van Dam Street in front of Witt Construction.
The Women of Greenridge Cemetery – On Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm Gloria May will lead a tour about the prominent and influential women, as well as the ordinary, who are buried in Greenridge Cemetery and whose life stories tell the history of Saratoga Springs. This tour meets at the Sackett Gates entrance of Greenridge Cemetery located on Lincoln Avenue.
Post Time! – On Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 10:30 am Join Georgia Horner will present a tour highlighting 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. This tour meets at the southeast corner of Nelson and Union Avenues.
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 Sydney Hedge, Preservation & Programs Coordinator, at shedge@saratogapreservation.org.
Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.
