Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series

This monthly educational seminar, originally produced by the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center, began in the early 1990’s and has remained popular for over 30 years. In the early 2000’s, the program outgrew the capacity of the Visitor Center and a partnership was formed with the Saratoga Springs Public Library. This partnership allows us to offer more seating for attendees, provide research guidance for speakers, utilize presentation equipment and arrange for IT support on the day of the program. This community lecture series is meant to highlight the rich history, culture and traditions of our city and Heritage Area. Programs attract an audience of mostly locals who are interested in area history and learning about their community.

• This lecture series takes place eight times per year during the spring and fall seasons: March – June and September – December. There are no programs in July and August.
• Programs are offered in-person at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 
• All programs run from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• All programs are FREE and open to the public. 
• We encourage attendees to check the library website for registration, more information and guidelines.

Spring 2026 Schedule

March 12, 2026 - "Enter the Woman Politician”
Join us as we celebrate National Women's History Month with Dr. Lauren Kozakiewicz. Dr. Lauren Kozakiewicz will present on women’s successes in politics in the 20th century, and how it progressed much more slowly than many liked or anticipated. Suffrage turned out to be only the first step. Using archival materials and interviews, Kozakiewicz summarizes the experiences of some of the eighty-eight women elected to the New York State Legislature over the period 1919-1992. She will highlight both the challenges faced, and the progress made in their pursuit of political careers in the Empire State.

April 9, 2026 - "The Universality of Katrina Trask"
Join Rumara Jewett and Lezlie Dana (portraying Katrina Trask) and experience in 1899 how Katrina Trask (1853-1922) experienced a vision for her home “Yaddo” as a future artist residency, initiating many years of planning and preparations. Today, Katrina Trask is remembered as the founder of Yaddo, but how would she have described her life focuses? During this 100th anniversary of the first artists arriving at Yaddo in 1926, we listen to Katrina Trask discuss her personal interests, spiritual exploration, relentless societal activism, and the role that art and artists played in her life. In her words we note universal chords that resonate today.

May 14, 2026 - “Finding Military Service Records and Unit Histories”
Join librarians Jim Gandy and Dan Salage from the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center as they share the effective strategies for researching military records of New York veterans. They will cover both New York National Guard records and records of the men & women who served in the U.S. armed forces. The session will also address what steps to take when no records can be found.

June 11, 2026 - "Dressing the Revolutionary Lady”
As the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga approach, join Caitlin Sheldon, Librarian and Historical Costumer for a demonstration of fashionable lady’s dress from the time period. Using images from the era, as well as her own handmade garments, this engaging discussion and dressing demonstration will illustrate the many layers that go into dressing a lady, from chemise to cloak.

Fall 2026 Schedule

September 10, 2026 - “Charlie’s Heroes: The Charles Siciliano Sr. WWII & Korean War Veterans Photo Collection”

Retired Associated Press reporter Chris Carola tells the story of Mechanicville’s large and unique collection of photographs of WWII and Korean War veterans, all 600-plus of them taken at the bar inside a popular tavern by its owner in the 1940s and early ’50s. Featuring servicemembers from Mechanicville, Saratoga Springs, and other nearby communities, the collection is a “frozen in time” tribute to local WWII and Korean War veterans.

October 8, 2026 - “The Battles of Saratoga and the 18th Century Soldier”

James Parillo, Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs History Museum, will explore the Battles of Saratoga, a pivotal point in world history. In 1777, a young American Continental Army defended the Hudson Valley against an invasion of British and German soldiers from the north. The two armies clashed near Stillwater, New York, that fall, resulting in the surrender of General Burgoyne to General Gates on October 17, 1777. Dressed as an 18th-century soldier, Parillo will discuss the Saratoga campaign, why the American Army was victorious, and dispel myths about events prior to and following the battles.

November 12, 2026 - “Veterans and Community Housing Coalition”

Presented by Marian Eck, Director of Community Engagement, and Diane Nazzaro, Executive Director, this presentation highlights the mission and programs of Veterans and Community Housing Coalition, showcasing how its housing and support services help veterans achieve stability and independence. Learn how community involvement through partnerships, donations, and advocacy directly impacts the lives of the veterans they serve.

December 10, 2026 - “Chestwood: A Portrait of Saratoga Through the Lives and Legacy of a Victorian Farmhouse”

For many Saratoga residents, Chestwood is either a mystery or completely unknown—a lone Victorian farmhouse surrounded by modern homes. Long before the neighborhood grew around it, Chestwood and its barns sat on hundreds of acres of farmland just over a mile from Broadway. Through original photographs, maps, and discoveries from their research, Kristi Krulcik and Marco Anichini will paint a portrait of Saratoga through the two families who lived at Chestwood over the last century and a half. They’ll explore the property’s connections to Saratoga’s architectural boom, the creative circles of Yaddo, and the racing world, as well as how uncovering its history is inspiring preservation efforts and guiding Chestwood’s next era.