1790s History Meets
1990s Technology

The future has arrived at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa. Now, armed with a web page, Brookside has staked a position on the information superhighway and is spreading its message to web surfers the world over!

Located at http://www.brooksidemuseum.org , the new web page is user friendly and full service. Included is a brief history of the 1792 structure, a door-to-door map for travelers, admission and hours, and notices on special events. Membership information and a sneak preview of the crafts featured in our adult classes are also available. On-line registration for both membership and classes is coming soon.

Magpie Internet Communications Corporation, founded by Ballston Spa native Robert Douglas, has furnished Brookside with the design and maintenance of the web.

BALLSTON SPA - After some lean years, when foot traffic was down and interest in local history appeared to be waning, things are bustling again for the Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside.

Recent months have brought a new director and new grant funds, allowing the tiny staff to be increased and pumping much-needed cash into the operating budget.

Still, other challenges lie ahead, including maintaining the 1792 building on Charlton Street in Ballston Spa, and keeping the exhibits fresh enough to entice visitors.

Starting Jan. 26, a series of evening classes on making everything from a bread basket to a watermelon tray will be offered, with a dual goal of encouraging interest in craft making, and bringing more people to Brookside s door.

"My job is to get our name out there", said Susie Kilpatrick, director since last June. "I will beg membership off anybody. It s a very different attitude than we had a a year ago".

There are currently 350 members of the Saratoga County Historical Society, whose dues help sustain the budget. Two annual fund raisers, a fall auction and a spring benefit concert add another $16,000 to $18,000 to the revenue side of operations. Several months ago, the museum received a grant of about $18,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which will be applied to general operating expenses.

"The grant was a real high for us", said Kilpatrick. "We'll put it where we need it, such as salaries and paying the electric bill."

With a staff of just two part-timers, and as the sole full-time paid employee, Kilpatrick maintains a troop of committed volunteers. About 13 people volunteer on a regular basis, for duties ranging from answering phones to tackling small fix-it projects in the aging building.

"We worry about the building on almost a daily basis," said Kilpatrick. "The porch is sagging in, there are drainage problems, the clapboards are rotting. In bad weather we worry about the pipes freezing".

While no capital campaign has been scheduled, Kilpatrick estimated the complete cost for an overhaul of the building at more than $100,000.

With 9,000 people coming through the doors each year to view permanent and rotating exhibits, Kilpatrick said she is working to increase the number of local visitors to the site. About 6,000 of that total is school children, and 2,500 are researchers using the genealogy room. "We re looking to increase our visitation, because we get tons of kids but very little outside that," said Kilpatrick. "Researchers from Milwaukee or San Diego are more likely than people from Ballston Lake. We have more of national presence than a local one."

To attract more visitors, Kilpatrick is tweaking the exhibits. In one room, an eclectic blend of pieces dares visitors to make sense of the mix, ranging from a coffin to a cow thermometer. Also on her agenda is a plan to make better use of the building s space.

"We have enough space, but it s not efficiently used, "said Kilpatrick. "We need to open up storage space and attic space and shuffle things around."

A 12-member board of directors runs the historical society, meeting monthly to hammer out details such as how to raise funds, maintain the building and pull in new members. More volunteers are also sought to help keep things running smoothly.

Looking to the future, Kilpatrick said she sees Brookside continuing to grow into a commanding presence for the county, state and country.

"We had some struggling years when things were very hand-to-mouth," said Kilpatrick. "We have a very ambitious schedule for the year, with more programs to improve our numbers. We're working to improve our image in the community. The only direction to go from here is up."

For the past twelve years, Footprints has received a great amount of help from the Brookside Museum and their Genealogical section. No stone has been left unturned in their research for us. We cannot thank them enough for their help. Now with them entering the Electronic Age, we know they will be of great help to many others. We highly recommend that you visit their new web site and let them know that we appreciate their help. Their web site will grow as you continue to visit it and let them know your needs and desires, and that they are appreciated.