Courtesy Saratoga History Center
The trustees of the Saratoga County History Center raised some $30,000 in 2021 through its Preserve the Porch! campaign.
In November and December of 2021, the officials said the campaign yielded $20,720. Moreover, an anonymous donor agreed to match funds up to $10,000.00, making the total amount raised $30,720.
The museum is located at 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa.
The funds will go directly to replacing storm windows and repairing Brookside Museum’s iconic front porch.
Built in 1792, just four years after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, and remodeled in the 1830s in the popular Greek Revival style. But the grand piazza is in need of reconstruction. Specifically, all the front steps and floor boards, ruined by rot and mold, need to be replaced, as well as the deck frame supporting the floor, officials said. In addition, the entire portico needs to be rebuilt for proper drainage, and the earth beneath should be covered with plastic and pea stone to reduce future moisture. The crisis concerns both safety and appearance.
“The response from the county and beyond has been astounding,” said history center president Field Horne. “We went hat-in-hand to our friends and neighbors, asking them to help us save this awe-inspiring façade and important piece of local history, and they rallied and responded well-beyond our expectations.”
“Support for our ‘Preserve the Porch!’ campaign is a major win for the Saratoga County History Center,” said Sean Kelleher, vice president of membership and community engagement. “The ability to fund the restoration of the iconic porch and storm windows will provide stabilization for the Brookside Museum in the future, and 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.”
“We are humbled by the generosity,” said Jon Hallgren, who will oversee the restoration. “We will make sure that Brookside stands bold and beautiful for another 200 years.”