|
New York State Heritage Area
System |
| The
Saratoga Springs Visitor Center is part of a state-wide network
of Heritage Areas established to showcase and preserve New York's
rich and diverse heritage. Heritage areas are special places
where we preserve our history, celebrate our present and anticipate
the future of our communities. A Heritage Area may be a portion
of a community, or several communities working together within
a large region. |
| The
Heritage Area System (formerly known as the Urban Cultural Park
System) is a state-local partnership established to preserve
and develop these areas that have special significance to New
York State. The Heritage Area System showcases maritime history,
busy downtowns, festivals, historic architecture, interesting
people and fascinating stories. From rural charm to urban hustle
and bustle, Heritage Areas offer something of interest to everyone.
Explore the past and look into the future in New York State's
Heritage Areas! For information write: NYS Heritage Area Programs,
New York State Parks, Albany, NY 12238. |
| The
Saratoga Springs Heritage Area is part of the statewide Heritage
Area system of seventeen communities, which focuses on four major
goals: 1) preservation of natural, historic, and cultural resources;
2) recreational use of these resources; 3) education about local
and regional heritage; 4) economic revitalization through public
and private investment. |
Saratoga
Springs Heritage Area
Natural Environment |
| The
presence of natural mineral springs led to the rise of this elegant
spa resort in the 19th-century. Today, the Saratoga Springs Heritage
Area encompasses bubbling springs, the Saratoga Spa State Park,
and eight historic districts, and is sought after year-round
for its Victorian architecture, vibrant downtown and flourishing
cultural life. |
| In
October 1980, a citizens' action committee completed the preparation
of a feasibility study for the establishment of an Urban Cultural
park (now Heritage Area) within the City of Saratoga Springs,
in conformance with State guidelines and local goals. The feasibility
study evaluated the development of historic, cultural, and natural
resources within the City of Saratoga Springs around the themes
of "The Natural Resource of the Mineral Springs" and
"The Flourishing of Resort life." |
| In
1984, an advisory committee was establishing by the Mayor of
Saratoga Springs to prepare a management plan that would update
the feasibility study and establish a management structure for
the Heritage Area. The Visitor Center opened officially in 1992.
Over 30,000 visitors use the facility annually. |
| The
Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Program provides exhibits, programs,
concerts, etc. it also collaborates with other community agencies
and other Heritage Area Visitor Centers. Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center:
VisitorCenter@spa.net |
Congress
Park Information Booth (Seasonal)
Jennifer Joseph jjoseph@saratoga.org |
| OTHER
HERITAGE AREAS |
ALBANY
Business & Capital
From the days of early Indian & Dutch settlement, Albany's
strategic location and role in world trade, finance and government
have made it a pivotal force in the development of the state
and the nation. For information, call (518) 434-0405 or email
kathy@albany.org. Website:
http://www.albany.org/ |
BUFFALO
Flowering of
Culture
As the western end of the Erie Canal, Buffalo's 19th-century
prominence as one of America's busiest ports created a fast-growing
city with an insatiable taste for popular entertainment. Today's
Theater District reflects that history and offers an exciting
array of entertainment. For information, call (716) 852-2356. |
HUDSON-MOHAWK
Labor &
Industry
The Hudson-Mohawk Heritage Area lies at the confluence of the
state's two largest rivers. This region's crucial contribution
to America's transformation from an agrarian to an industrialized
society is reflected in the communities of Troy, Cohoes, Colonie,
Green Island, Waterford and Watervliet. For information, call
(518) 270-8667 or (518) 237-7999. |
KINGSTON
Transportation
With the Hudson River as its lifeblood, Kingston, the first capital
of New York State, grew into a bustling port community. Uptown
Kingston features the city's Stockade District and its extraordinary
cluster of 18th-century stone buildings including the Senate
House State Historic Site. For information, call (800) 331-1518.
For Rondout, call (914) 331-7517. For Uptown, call (914) 331-9506. |
LONG
ISLAND NORTH SHORE
The north shore of Long Island was recently designated as a heritage
area. Currently under study, this area features historic mansions,
maritime communities, and the Long Island Heritage Trail along
Rt. 25A. For more information call 1-877-Fun on LI. |
MOHAWK
VALLEY HERITAGE CORRIDOR
The dominant chords of unfolding history have echoed along the
Mohawk River Valley for centuries. Beginning with its American
Indian heritage, through colonial wars, settlement, the Erie
Canal and industrialization, the eight counties of the Mohawk
Valley create a landscape with a distinctive sense of place.
For information, call (518) 673-1045. |
NEW
YORK CITY
Maritime Trade
& Immigration
The New York City Heritage Area, "Harbor Park," tells
the story of the city's growth from a colonial trading post to
the largest seaport and immigration destination in the world.
Harbor Park links historic waterfront sites around the city's
harbor. For information, call (212) 566-6700. |
OSSINING
Reform Movements
The Old Croton Aqueduct and Sing Sing Prison, both located in
this historic Hudson River village, reflect 19th-century state-of-the-art
advances in civil and social engineering. For information, call
(914) 941-3189. |
ROCHESTER
Natural Environment
The mighty waters of the Genesee River powered Rochester to 19th-century
industrial prominence. Rochester's Heritage Area focuses on High
Falls, a revitalized complex of mills, factories and archaeological
sites adjacent to the Genesee River. For information, call (716)
325-2030. |
SACKETS
HARBOR
Defense
Nestled on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario, Sackets Harbor
was a military stronghold on America's northern border for more
than a century. The Sackets Harbor Battlefield and quaint village
streets stand today as silent testimony to the village's turbulent
role in our country's early military history. For information,
call (315) 646-2321. |
SCHENECTADY
Labor &
Industry
From a 17th-century stockade frontier village on the Mohawk River,
Schenectady evolved into "The Electric City", home
to General Electric & the American Locomotive Co. History
resounds in the colonial Stockade District, G.E. Realty Plot,
Union College, and the city's many ethnic neighborhoods. For
information, call (518) 382-7890. |
SENECA
FALLS
Reform Movements
Seneca Falls earned its place in history as the setting of the
first Women's Rights Convention in 1848. Located on the Cayuga-Seneca
Canal, the village features a classic main street, several sites
relating to the women's rights movement, and the Seneca Museum
of Waterways and Industry. For information, call (315)568-2703. |
SUSQUEHANNA
Immigration
& Migration and Labor & Industry
Antique carousels, factories, ethnic neighborhoods and gold-domed
churches tell the story of Binghamton's cigar-making era, Endicott's
role as the birthplace of IBM, and the legacy of Endicott-Johnson
Shoe Company founder George F. Johnson, whose paternalistic practices
drew thousands of immigrants to Johnson City and Susquehanna's
"Valley of Opportunity". For information, call (607)
772-0660, ext.255. |
SYRACUSE
Transportation
and Business & Capital
Syracuse owed its early success to its precious natural resource,
salt. But it owed its continuing prosperity to the Erie Canal,
which transformed the city into a modern center of business and
capital. For information, call (315) 471-0593. |
WESTERN
ERIE CANAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR
The Erie Canal remains a strong symbol of American ingenuity
in the Empire State. The portion of the Erie Canal in the five
counties of Western New York remains remarkably intact. This
newly designated heritage area will interpret and promote this
important segment of the State's history. For more information
call (716) 546-7029 |
WHITEHALL
Defense
Whitehall is rich in naval history dating back to the Revolutionary
War. As the northern terminus of the Champlain Canal, Whitehall
was also an important link in New York State's transportation
network. Today, the Whitehall Urban Cultural Park embodies much
of what is small town New York: a charming main street, canalside
parks and cool lake breezes. For information, call (year-round)
(518) 499-1155; or (June to October) (518) 499-0716. |
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