Local history museum reopens its doors after two months of upkeep

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Saratoga Springs History Museum reopens for the year on Saturday, March 1, after being closed in January and February for the cleaning and preservation of artifacts. It is officially open to visitors every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

It has six exhibits across three floors, including a historic 1870s gambling casino, designated a National Historic Landmark. Charles Kuenzel, the director of education and programs at the museum, said it is crucial work to preserve the tangible remnants of Saratoga's rich past and keep drawing people to the area.

"I can't tell you how many people we do a day that just kind of look around at the architecture and say, 'Wow that's amazing,'" Kuenzel said.

The museum highlights the foundation of Saratoga Springs, lived on by the Mohawk tribe and settled in 1819, up until the Gilded Age. A suffrage exhibit is on display again this year.

"The track came in at 1863 and was up and running pretty well," Kuenzel said. "But the gentleman John Morrissey that started the track also built this. This was the highest-level casino in the United States at the time."

Kuenzel said their ghost tours became very popular after the museum was named the fourth scariest place in the country. He said each employee has had an experience with paranormal activity while in the building.