Event Calendar  Discover the Visitor Center  Directions  History of the Visitor Center  Useful Links & Information  Health, History, Horses Links  City History  City Hall  Beekman Street Art District  Saratoga Springs Attractions  Restaurants  Accomodations  Travel Information  Diversity  Sister Cities  NY Heritage Area Program  History Roundtable  Visitor Center Homepage   Saratoga Springs Visitors Center 297 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-3241 Email: VisitorCenter@spa.net The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center preserves and promotes the historical, natural and cultural resources and activities that tell the story of the past and present an identity for the future.

Saratoga's Heritage of Diversity Our city and its leaders are committed to creating an inclusive community. Each year, the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center and Heritage Area sponsors activities and programs that honor our heritage and diversity. Saratoga Springs has a heritage that encompasses Native Americans, African Americans, Irish and Italian immigrants, and many more. Activities and Exhibits at the Visitor Center Black History Month February Diversity Day June Solomon Northup Day July Multicultural Music August Solomon Northup Day: A Celebration of Freedom Solomon Northup was born a free man in Minerva, New York, July 1808. Solomon was a literate man who worked on the Champlain Canal, was a carpenter and inventor. While working as a cabbie and violinist in Saratoga Springs, he was abducted in 1841, held in a slave pen in Washington, DC, and sold into slavery in Louisiana for 12 years, where he served three masters, before regaining his freedom. Through the efforts of Samuel Bass, a Canadian, and both black and white citizens of New York and Louisiana, his freedom was restored in 1853, after which he returned to Saratoga Springs. Citizens of Saratoga Springs and surrounding areas were instrumental in arranging for Solomon's release and return to Saratoga. Mr. Northup published his autobiography, Twelve Years a Slave, in 1853 about his ordeal. It is believed he traveled throughout the region selling his book and speaking out against slavery and was himself an abolitionist. Although Mr. Northup sought to bring his captors to trial, they were never prosecuted and he mysteriously disappeared. To date, his burial site has not been identified and it is not known whether or not he was killed, re-captured, or died of natural causes. In 1999, in recognition of his ordeal and that of other African-Americans, July 24th was declared Solomon Northup Day in Saratoga Springs, New York. An historical marker was placed at the corner of Congress and Broadway along with an exhibit panel inside the Visitor Center commemorating Mr. Northup's life. At the ceremony dedicating the historical marker, a number of speakers from the community, including clergy and elected officials participated. Also participating were Northup descendants from four states, including matriarch Victoria Northup Linzy Dunham, age 90. Northup, an accomplished violinist, carpenter and writer, published his autobiography entitled Twelve Years a Slave. Renée Moore founded and directs this multicultural, interfaith annual event. The annual Solomon Northup Day is held the third Saturday in July at the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center.

Solomon Northrup descendants assembled with Saratoga Springs Mayor Michael O'Connell after the presentation of the Northrup historical marker in July 1999. Solomon Northrup Saratoga Springs Visitors Center 297 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-3241 Email: VisitorCenter@spa.net The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center preserves and promotes the historical, natural and cultural resources and activities that tell the story of the past and present an identity for the future.