Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation

Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, 112 Spring Street, Ste 203, Saratoga Springs, NY.
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Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation advocates for the preservation of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.

Happy Fun Fact Friday! In anticipation of our NEW “Breezing Through Saratoga: R. Newton Brezee Homes” Summer Sunday Stro...
08/28/2026

Happy Fun Fact Friday! In anticipation of our NEW “Breezing Through Saratoga: R. Newton Brezee Homes” Summer Sunday Stroll, we are highlighting renowned local architect Robert Newton Brezee and his former home at 119 Caroline Street.

Robert Newton Brezee was born on September 26, 1851, in Middleburgh, NY. In 1867, Brezee moved to Saratoga Springs at the age of 16 with the goal of becoming an architect and one day opening his own office in the city. Brezee was completely self-taught, making him an architectural prodigy of sorts. Brezee became successful in Saratoga Springs quickly, given his reputation for being meticulous, honest, and fair with his clients.

In 1881, R. Newton Brezee married dressmaker Jennie M. Carr in Saratoga Springs. The couple had four daughters together: Edna Winford, Claire M., Elizabeth L., and Dorothy Newton. Between approximately 1882 and 1884, Brezee, his wife, and their eldest daughter Edna lived on Long Island where Brezee worked on the planned community of Garden City – a project headed by entrepreneur Alexander Turney Stewart. In 1884, the Brezee family returned to Saratoga Springs, and Brezee opened his office. Brezee’s career skyrocketed from this point, and he ended up being responsible for the design and construction of nearly 50 buildings in Saratoga Springs.

In 1890, the lot at 119 Caroline Street was conveyed to Jennie M. Brezee by William and Mary Comstock. That year, Brezee began to construct a house for the family on the newly acquired property. Brezee specialized in building Colonial Revival and Queen Anne style structures, using the latter for his own home. The Brezee family retained ownership of the property until 1923, when it was conveyed to Edwin and Constance Kellogg. In 1929, Robert Newton Brezee passed away at the age of seventy-eight, and left his estate to his wife Jennie.

To learn more about Robert Newton Brezee and the houses he is credited with building, join us on our “Breezing Through Saratoga: R. Newton Brezee Homes” Sunday Stroll on August 30. To purchase tickets, please visit our website:

https://www.saratogapreservation.org/calendar/sunday-strolls/

Don't miss the final Sunday Stroll of the season (fear not - Autumn Strolls are on the way!) on September 6. Join Linda ...
08/26/2026

Don't miss the final Sunday Stroll of the season (fear not - Autumn Strolls are on the way!) on September 6.

Join Linda Harvey for “The Spa Complex” stroll in Saratoga Spa State Park, a National Historic Landmark.

In partnership with the Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park, Linda will share the history of the complex, which was developed with the goal of increasing both therapeutic and recreational use of the park. The tour will also cover the prolific period from 1932-1936 when the Hall of Springs, Simon Baruch Administration and Research Center, the Roosevelt Bath Houses, Victoria Pool, the Gideon Putnam Hotel, and a bottling plant were all constructed.

This tour meets outside of the Administration Building, 19 Roosevelt Drive. Sunday Strolls begin at 10:30AM, last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours are limited to 30 participants. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF & Friends of the Saratoga Spa State Park members and $20 for non-members. Foundation members with stroll passes can contact the Foundation’s office to book their Sunday Summer Stroll before the date they choose. ⁠

Tickets are available on our website:

https://www.saratogapreservation.org/calendar/sunday-strolls/

Happy Fun Fact Friday! Today we celebrate the legacy of Andrea “Ande” Phipps, a legendary horse breeder and socialite wh...
08/21/2026

Happy Fun Fact Friday! Today we celebrate the legacy of Andrea “Ande” Phipps, a legendary horse breeder and socialite whose summer residence was 717 North Broadway.

Constructed in 1884, 717 North Broadway is a Queen Anne style residence built for the McConike family of Troy, NY. In 1967, Odgen Phipps – a financier and racehorse industry executive - acquired 717 North Broadway to act as his family’s summer home. Odgen inherited his love of thoroughbred racing from the Phipps family dynasty who multi-generationally built their wealth breeding and training racehorses. On March 6, 1970, Ogden Phipps married Andrea “Ande” Broadfoot in Miami, Florida. Marrying Ogden introduced Ande to the world of horse racing. Alongside her husband, she operated Phipps Stables, assisting with the breeding and training of horses that often ran at Saratoga Race Course. Andrea also became involved in the operation of the Jockey Club where her husband served multiple terms as Chairman.

During Andrea’s lifetime, Phipps Stables saw several notable wins, including the massive success of 2026 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo. Andrea’s presence in the Saratoga Springs community extended beyond her work in the racing industry. Andrea enjoyed supporting many charitable endeavors, but she was especially involved with the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, and for Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer. Andrea was also well known in the community for being a wonderful host of gatherings at her family’s home on North Broadway. On July 28, 2026, Ande Phipps passed away at the age of 82 following a short illness. Those who knew Andrea say that she had a gift for making people feel welcome and special.

The legacy of the Phipps family, as well as many others, will be covered in Sunday’s “Horsin’ Around North Broadway” Stroll with special guest Brien Bouyea of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Samantha Bosshart. To purchase tickets, please visit our website.

🚨 New Stroll Alert! 🚨 "Breezing Through Saratoga: R. Newton Brezee Homes"Executive Director Samantha Bosshart leads the ...
08/19/2026

🚨 New Stroll Alert! 🚨 "Breezing Through Saratoga: R. Newton Brezee Homes"

Executive Director Samantha Bosshart leads the Foundation’s newest walking tour on Sunday, August 30, highlighting the houses designed by prominent local architect R. Newton Brezee on the East Side of Saratoga Springs.

Beginning his career as a carpenter in Saratoga Springs in the early 1870s, Brezee moved to Long Island where he worked as an apprentice under A. T. Stewart’s architect, Edward D. Harris. Not long after his return to Saratoga Springs in 1884, he became an architect and building superintendent. Brezee’s popularity increased rapidly – with him designing and overseeing the construction of nearly 50 buildings in the area. This new walking tour will include a selection of his work as well as his impact on Saratoga Springs' architecture.

Pictured here is Brezee's design at 105 Lake Avenue, built in 1885, now operating as Tunison Funeral Home.

This tour meets at the SW corner of Regent & Caroline streets. Sunday Strolls begin at 10:30AM, last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours are limited to 30 participants. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. Foundation members with stroll passes can contact the Foundation’s office to book their Sunday Summer Stroll before the date they choose. ⁠

Tickets available on our website:

https://www.saratogapreservation.org/calendar/sunday-strolls/

Happy Fun Fact Friday! In anticipation of our “Mom & Pops of the East Side” Summer Sunday Stroll with Carol Godette, we ...
08/14/2026

Happy Fun Fact Friday! In anticipation of our “Mom & Pops of the East Side” Summer Sunday Stroll with Carol Godette, we are revisiting her “Simply Saratoga” article series “The Original ‘Mom & Pops’” from 10 years ago.

Carol featured Rowland’s, which was located on North Street, in the garage of 194 Circular Street. The shop was operated by Bill Rowland, a former Saratoga Springs taxi driver, and his wife. Those who knew the couple described them as being kind and generous people who were always willing to help others in their community. Many shopped at Rowland’s due to the free credit Bill extended his customers. What many of them didn’t know was that the grocery store functioned as a front for a successful off-track betting parlor.

The reality of Rowland’s grocery store was not unique in Saratoga Springs. According to Bill Rowland’s son Dick, “many Saratoga establishments - luncheonettes, pool rooms, and a few other grocery stores in town - supplemented their income with the ponies.” The betting at Rowland’s was kept a secret from most customers, taking place in a back room hidden by a curtain. When Bill was accused of having too much cash on hand, his defense was it was necessary so he could cash paychecks for his regulars. His explanation was convincing, and the charges against him were dropped.

Rowland’s was in operation for over 25 years until Bill’s failing health caused him to close the store in the 1970s. Porky Clarke briefly ran a shop, Porky’s Grocery, in the same location. After about a year, the space was converted back to a functioning garage. To learn more about Rowland’s and other family businesses that thrived in Saratoga Springs, join us for “Mom and Pops of the East Side” this Sunday, August 9. To purchase tickets, please visit:

https://www.saratogapreservation.org/calendar/sunday-strolls/

Samantha will be "Horsin' Around North Broadway" Sunday, August 23 with a special guest: Brien Bouyea of the National Mu...
08/12/2026

Samantha will be "Horsin' Around North Broadway" Sunday, August 23 with a special guest: Brien Bouyea of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame!

The tour will highlight those associated with horseracing and the beautiful architecture of North Broadway. Walk along North Broadway and discover the connection between prominent racing families—like the Jeffords, Chenery, and Phipps—and the grand summer cottages of this historic neighborhood. With racing season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to explore Saratoga’s blend of health, history, and horses. Take the tour in the morning, then head to the Saratoga Race Course to see the connections come to life.

Sunday Strolls begin at 10:30AM, last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours are limited to 30 participants. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. Foundation members with stroll passes can contact the Foundation’s office to book their Sunday Summer Stroll before the date they choose. ⁠

Tickets available on our website:

https://www.saratogapreservation.org/calendar/sunday-strolls/

Don't forget  - tomorrow night is our special program "The History and Future of Saratoga Race Course" with author and r...
08/11/2026

Don't forget - tomorrow night is our special program "The History and Future of Saratoga Race Course" with author and race course historian Paul Roberts at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

In celebration of the recently-published third edition of "The Spa: Saratoga's Legendary Race Course," Internationally-renowned race course expert, Paul Roberts, will share his presentation "The History and Future of Saratoga Race Course." Join us to learn about the history of the development of the race course, review recent developments, and look forward to how Saratoga needs to evolve for it to retain its iconic status in the world of racing.⁠

The third edition of the book was generously underwritten by a grant from the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust.⁠

The Foundation thanks its generous program sponsors including Winner’s Circle Sponsor National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame; Clubhouse Sponsors: Dr. Jay L. Baldwin, Michele Funiciello with Horse & Home Estates, and Phinney Design Group; and Grandstand Sponsors: Dr. Stowe Burke and Caroline Cardone Burke, Frost Hurff Architects, Cindy & Brien Hollowood, Patricia Lane & Eric Tepper, Northshore Bloodstock, and Cindy Spence. ⁠

The program begins at 7PM and tickets for the lecture are $25 for SSPF and NMRHOF Members and $30 for non-members. Copies of "The Spa: Saratoga’s Legendary Race Course" Third Edition will be available for purchase at the event for $25. Paul will be available to sign books following the presentation. For additional information on this program, or to purchase tickets, call (518) 587-5030 or visit the link in our bio.

Happy Fun Fact Friday! In anticipation of Sunday’s “Find Me in Congress Park” Stroll, read on about the Brackett Memoria...
08/07/2026

Happy Fun Fact Friday! In anticipation of Sunday’s “Find Me in Congress Park” Stroll, read on about the Brackett Memorial Gates and the man they are named for, former New York State Senator Edgar T. Brackett.
Edgar T. Brackett was born to William and Elizabeth Brackett in Wilton, NY in 1853. He spent his youth in Iowa but returned to Saratoga Springs in 1872 to practice law
In 1896, Edgar T. Brackett was elected to the New York State Senate. Despite having an active political career, Brackett continued to pursue personal business ventures. He co-founded the G.F Harvey Co., a pharmaceutical manufacturer, in 1889, and established the Adirondack Trust Company in 1901. Senator Brackett was most well-known for his anti-corruption advocacy as well as his passing of the Anti- Pumping Act of 1908, which resulted in the creation of the Saratoga Spa State Park. Brackett returned to the state senate, serving as senate minority leader in 1911 and 1912.
In 1882, Brackett married Mary Corliss. The couple had two sons, Edgar Jr. and Charles. Tragedy struck the Brackett family in 1899 when Edgar Jr. died at the age of nine from tetanus, which he contracted by accidentally shooting himself with a toy pistol. Brackett’s youngest son, Charles, grew up to be an Oscar winning screenwriter and producer. He lived at 166 Excelsior Avenue, the 1872 Smiley-Brackett Cottage, a building that has been on the Foundation’s endangered list since its inception in 1998. In 2021, the Foundation successfully designated it a Local Landmark. Senator Edgar T. Brackett remained active as a civic and business leader until February 1924, when he died from a nine-month long illness. Brackett, his wife, and their children are buried at Greenridge Cemetery.
To honor Edgar T. Brackett’s protection of the state’s mineral springs, citizens of Saratoga Springs erected the Brackett Memorial Gate, which serves as the official entrance to Congress Park. Per Brackett’s request days before his death, his funeral procession detoured to pass through his namesake memorial gate.
To learn more about the history of Congress Park, join us Sunday for this week’s Stroll. To purchase tickets, please visit our website.

Excited for another new Sunday Stroll!On Sunday, August 16, Carol Godette offers a new walking tour, “Mom & Pops of the ...
08/05/2026

Excited for another new Sunday Stroll!

On Sunday, August 16, Carol Godette offers a new walking tour, “Mom & Pops of the East Side.” Stroll through a concentrated area of the East Side that once teemed with neighborhood shops and markets, and learn about the history of these stores and their owners. More than milk and bread, these shops fostered entrepreneurship and a sense of community. Through her tireless research, Carol's will bring not only the stores to life, but also the people behind their counters.

This image from 1984 features Pepper's Market which was located at 173 Lake Avenue. Photo by Jack Armstrong.

Sunday Strolls begin at 10:30AM, last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours are limited to 30 participants. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. Foundation members with stroll passes can contact the Foundation’s office to book their Sunday Summer Stroll before the date they choose. ⁠

Tickets available on our website:

https://www.saratogapreservation.org/calendar/sunday-strolls/

Happy Fun Fact Friday! In anticipation of our “Greenridge Cemetery” Summer Sunday Stroll, we are highlighting one of the...
07/31/2026

Happy Fun Fact Friday! In anticipation of our “Greenridge Cemetery” Summer Sunday Stroll, we are highlighting one of the people laid to rest there, George S. Bolster- a photographer whose images capture the people and places of Saratoga Springs from the 1930s through the 1980s.

Born in 1913, Saratoga Springs native George S. Bolster first became enamored with photography at age 10, when he made a box camera to take pictures of children and dogs in his neighborhood. Bolster’s uncle noticed his interest in photography and introduced a young Bolster to prominent local photographer Harry B. Settle. After first opening a home studio on Walton Street, Bolster joined the studio of another local photographer, Charles Hutchins, whose previous business partner was Bolster’s old friend Settle.

Settle passed in 1958, and Bolster eventually acquired his massive collection of photographs. Afterwards, Bolster set out to obtain any photo of Saratoga Springs he could get his hands on. Over time, Bolster amassed approximately 325,000 negatives illustrating Saratoga Springs through much of the 20th century, including aerial photographs of the city from as early as 1929. Following his death in 1989, Bolster’s impressive collection of catalogued photographs was willed to the Saratoga Springs History Museum, which has preserved and digitized the collection to give all who love Saratoga Springs a glimpse into its past.

The George S. Bolster Collection is an invaluable resource: informing the community about our past, helping with restoration projects, and influencing new building design. Bolster is buried at the historic and tranquil Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs alongside his wife of 51 years, Helen Elizabeth Baker. To learn more about other notable figures buried there, join us on our “Greenridge Cemetery” Stroll this Sunday. To purchase tickets, please visit our website.

Address

112 Spring Street, Ste 203
Saratoga Springs, NY
12866

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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