NEWSLETTER
Saratoga Springs, NY – The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is excited to welcome you back for the 2026 season of Summer Sunday Strolls, starting June 14! These guided walking tours, taking place every Sunday from 10:30AM-12:00PM through September 6, offer a great way to explore the city’s unique history and diverse architecture.
Each week highlights a different historic neighborhood in Saratoga, and this year’s schedule includes three brand new tours— “Find Me in Congress Park,” “Mom & Pops of the East Side,” and “Breezing Through Saratoga: R. Newton Brezee Homes.” Each one is a fun, engaging way to see Saratoga Springs up close and a Sunday tradition you will not want to miss!
Join Carrie Woerner, NYS Assemblywoman and former SSPF Executive Director, on Sunday, June 14 at 10:30AM for the first of 13 Summer Sunday Strolls, “Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square.” Brothers Thomas Jefferson Marvin and James Madison Marvin, prominent citizens and owners of the nearby United States Hotel, were the first to develop the area, initially known as Marvin Square. They built their Greek Revival residences at 3 and 4 Franklin Street. Franklin Square, Saratoga’s oldest residential neighborhood, was once threatened by demolition when New York State Department of Transportation proposed a four-lane arterial highway to bypass Broadway. Thankfully concerned citizens rallied to stop the proposal. Carrie will lead you by stately homes and original buildings that tell the story of the city’s early development.
The Summer Series is sponsored by Druthers Brewing Company. To be a single stroll sponsor, contact Development Director, Dianne Winter, dwinter@saratogapreservation.org.
All Sunday morning tours begin at 10:30AM, last approximately 90 minutes, and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours are limited to thirty participants and tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. For additional information on Sunday Strolls or to purchase tickets, call (518) 587-5030, visit our website, saratogapreservation.org, or email Dianne Winter, Development Director, at dwinter@saratogapreservation.org.
Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.
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Summer Series Sponsors:
Druthers Brewing Company
All strolls run from 10:30AM – 12:00PM.
June & July Sunday Strolls are sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square
Carrie Woerner, NYS Assemblywoman and former SSPF Executive Director, will lead a tour through the architecturally rich historic Franklin Square area. The neighborhood is characterized by beautiful Greek Revival houses, which became occupied by wealthy part-time and full-time residents of the city as the population began to grow. As you walk through Saratoga’s oldest residential neighborhood, Carrie will share architectural insights and point out one of the city’s oldest remaining residences. This tour is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.
The tour meets at the NW corner of Division Street and Railroad Place.
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Broadway in 1874
Step back into the vibrant summer of 1874, a time when the city was at the height of its fame, on a guided walking tour of Broadway led by Gloria May. This stroll transports you to a time when the city was at the height of its fame, inviting you to meet the people who roamed the streets of town during that era. Gloria will highlight the remarkable architecture of the Second Empire era, featuring four grand hotels showcasing ornate designs with mansard roofs and sweeping porches. This tour is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.
The tour meets at the corner of Congress Street & Broadway.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Post Time!
Georgia Horner leads this walking tour offering a fresh perspective on Saratoga’s world of racing—beyond the grandstands and finish lines. Explore the area surrounding the Saratoga Race Course, revealing the traditions, rivalries, and rituals that define Saratoga’s racing scene. This tour does not enter the Saratoga Race Course, including the Oklahoma Track, or the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. This tour is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.
The tour meets at the SE corner of Nelson and Union avenues.
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Down in the Valley: Exploring the Gut
Alexandra Morgan leads this walking tour of the area behind Broadway known as “The Gut,” which was home to many working-class and Jewish families who made important contributions to the community. Wander the same streets where grocers sold kosher meats beside oyster houses, where bathhouses promised cures for everything from insomnia to indigestion, and where summer boarders came seeking both mineral waters and a welcoming community. This tour is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.
The tour meets at the NW corner of Putnam and Spring Streets, at the historic Hathorn Spring.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Mail Order Houses of Saratoga
This walking tour, led by Madison C. Squires, highlights the “Kit House” era. During this period, a person could drop an order form and check in the mail and receive an entire house in return! Walk along East and Pinewood avenues where many of these early “DIY” houses remain. This tour is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.
The tour meets at the NW corner of Lake and East avenues.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Historic West Side
Led by George Demers, this tour explores the diverse historic West Side neighborhood where Saratoga Springs’ Irish and Italian immigrants and Black community lived. A neighborhood rich in history, you will learn about its architecture, residents, stores, and clubs as well as the impacts of Urban Renewal and revitalization efforts. This tour is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.
The tour meets at the entrance of Gideon Putnam Burying Ground, located on South Franklin Street.
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Summer Cottages of North Broadway
Stroll North Broadway with Executive Director, Samantha Bosshart, as she highlights the architecture and shares entertaining stories of those who built and resided in the grand residences. Take in North Broadway, an area of Saratoga Springs well known for beautiful large residences houses where some of the city’s most prominent people resided. These extravagant residences often included barns, stables, and carriage houses as additions to the property. This tour is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.
The tour meets in front of Witt Construction, 563 North Broadway.
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Greenridge Cemetery
Embark on a walking tour of Greenridge Cemetery led by Gloria May. Established in 1844 as part of the rural cemetery movement, this stroll delves into the history of the individuals of Saratoga Springs with connections to Greenridge. Designed as a peaceful, park-like landscape where art, nature, and memory converge, this tour takes you along the cemetery’s winding paths, highlighting the notable residents buried there.
The tour meets at the Lincoln Avenue entrance to Greenridge Cemetery.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Find Me in Congress Park
Join Patrice Mastrianni as she shares facts, folklore, and tales about Congress Park where visitors came to socialize and sip its famed natural spring waters.
The tour meeting location will be announced soon.
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Mom & Pops of the East Side
Carol Godette will lead a tour through a concentrated area of the East Side that once teemed with neighborhood shops and markets, sharing the history of these stores and their owners.
The tour meets at the intersection of North and East Harrison streets.
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Horsin’ Around North Broadway
In this updated tour, Executive Director Samantha Bosshart is joined by Brien Bouyea of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame to highlight those associated with horseracing and the beautiful architecture of North Broadway. This engaging stroll explores the deep ties between Saratoga Springs’ famed North Broadway and the city’s rich horse racing heritage.
The tour meets in front of Witt Construction, 563 North Broadway.
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Breezing Through Saratoga: R. Newton Brezee Homes
Executive Director Samantha Bosshart will highlight the houses designed by carpenter-turned-architect, R. Newton Brezee, on the East Side of Saratoga Springs. This tour is sponsored by Springwater Bed & Breakfast.
The tour meeting location will be announced soon.
Sunday, September 6, 2026
The Spa Complex
Discover the architecture and landscape of the significant National Historic Landmark, Saratoga Spa State Park. Stroll leader Linda Harvey will cover the original goals for the Spa Complex. As you walk, learn about the many buildings constructed in the park, and the landscape plan that included walking trails as well as the Avenue of the Pines.
The tour meets outside of the Hall of Springs located at 108 Avenue of the Pines.
Image: Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square