Historical society of saratoga. Preserve itemsto that relate to the city of Saratoga Springs specifically. The exhibit we will be going through is our orientation exhibit. It tells the story from prehistoric times always through the 20th century. Part of the exhibit is one of the most important parts of their toga is the spring water. They believed it had healing properties. There was as bring called high rock spring. Came to drink the water and also hunted in the area around saratoga lake. We have artifacts related to the native americans. Some go back thousands of years. One that we would like to show here is a piece of the deposit from high rock spring. If you were to visit the spring today, it looks like a small volcano. Through the 19th century the pope would chip pieces away to take home as souvenirs. We were able to get this back and keep it as an exhibit in the museum. The First Permanent settlers in Saratoga Springs were in the 1780s. Built a tavern and boarding house on what is now broadway in saratoga. We have one artifact that relates right back to that building. It is a tavern sign that we have. Inwas painted by his wife 1802. The sign depicts a relative of theirs. Downl was hanging upside in the painting and it is that he was going into a whole where wolf had climbed in. He went out with a Hunting Party shot the wolf, and pulled it out with his bare hands. This was so important to the family and the community that at the hometown in connecticut there are historical markers talking about it. Art you wouldrst have seen if you came into downtown Saratoga Springs. Throughout the early part of our exhibit we talk about the early settlement of the city. Especially the spring waters. Of johna portrait steele. Theook samples of many of minerals brings mineral springs. It was determined that what your ailment was you could drink eight different spring to try and treat it. You need things to do besides drinking water. Major hotels were constructed. There was an opera house, there were plays, there were dances you could attend. Doo other things you could for fun including gambling or watching horse racing. Still focus one the spring water. That is what we are here for. In this area here, we have original saratoga water bottles. One is wrong Congress Springs. It has the original water in it from somewhere around 1870. This is a differ. At the mineral springs, there would be boys and girls who would work and would put the dipper into the water. You would give them a tip. To Saratoga Springs, the mineral water was always free at the spring. That was very traditional. T was a rule if you were to purchase a bottle, it would have been pretty expensive. It would saratoga on the map. These bottles worship all over the world. Diuretiche springs had properties and worked as a laxative. That went along with 19th century medicine. If you came here from the south, or from new york city, you have a prescription from your doctor. The doctors used these analysis of the spring water like dr. John steeles. In the morning, you will go to Congress Spring followed by a risk walk. To creates was to try a healthy body that to alleviate any digestive issues you might have. So, Saratoga Springs had a history of gambling. In the late 19th century we had gentlemen gamblers. They went to clubhouses owned by the wealthiest men in america. After their closures in the 20th century, we have a. Where gambling quieted down for a bit. In the 1920s and 30s picked up. Then the gangsters came to Saratoga Springs. The most aim is two, was arnold rothstein. In 1919, he opened a gambling house called the brook. It was located on the outskirts of the city. Model was that they would have highend entertainment in the front rooms and in the back rooms gambling would take place. It was always illegal in Saratoga Springs but with the clientele, everybody looked away. There was a story about the brook. In the 1930s there would be a police raid, the police went to the front door around 8 00 p. M. And said they needed to check the place out. They went through, went room after room and didnt find anything. They got to the third floor and a locked door. The maitre dsaid there is a little old lady in the room and is very tired and doesnt feel well. Everyone agreed and the police left. They say within half an hour at the place was up and running again. Knew what was happening, but these places drew a lot of money in the saratoga. 1953, the key developer investigations. That shut down all gambling here. With the demise of gambling and then soon after that the construction of the north way or i87, tourists no longer had to drive straight through Saratoga Springs. They could easily bypass us. Starting to change the dynamic of the city. We had all of these massive hotels that could host thousands of people. In the 1950s, we call this the. Of decline. It continued until 1966 which was a turning point. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center was originated. It spurred a rebirth of the city. In 1984, a city center was constructed. That began to bring in more tourism and the rest really is history. The city revitalized itself during even through the economic decline in a few years ago, the art city was one of the few still growing. Today it still is. Now Saratoga Springs is a tourist destination. We are really proud of how our city how they have their ups and downs but how it has built is up to be one of the strongest communities. Are cities tour staff recently traveled to Saratoga Springs, new york. Learn more about Saratoga Springs and other stops on her estour. Cspan. Org citi youre craig talksvil war, about the content very allies and enemies of confederate general joseph johnson, highlighting his rocky relationship with confederate is an jefferson davis. This hourlong talk is part of the park symposium called generals we love to hate come up looking at the Controversial Military leaders of the civil war. Jerry welcome back to our next speaker, our next session. Im going to go right into an introduction. Our next speaker is craig symonds. Craig was the retired professor of the History Department at the United States naval academy, but he told me his retirement failed. [laughter] that he was no good at it