Ballston pledges $20,000 toward Brookside Museum

PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo Provided

The Brookside Museum

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Town Board announced last Monday that it is pledging $20,000 toward the effort to save the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa from possible closure.

The museum, home to the Saratoga County Historical Society and its collection, is looking to raise $50,000 by the end of the year under threat that it could be forced to close. Since making the announcement about its dire financial situation two weeks ago, museum officials say they’ve been heartened by the amount of public support they have received.

The $20,000 town contribution will count toward the $50,000 the museum needs to raise this year. Individuals and organizations have raised an additional $14,000 towards that goal.

Museum officials say they will need to raise another $50,000 next year and are already looking for other sources of funding, while the museum board works to develop a sustainable, long-term financial plan.

“We cannot risk losing this building and its valuable collection of local history, especially when we, collectively, have the means to do something about it,” said Ballston Town Supervisor Timothy Szczepaniak. “As we pledge support, and we encourage our counterparts in other municipalities to do the same;, we will work closely with the Saratoga County Historical Society to ensure that there is a viable path forward for the museum and that it remains solvent into the future.”

The town of Milton has also been approached, and it is expected the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors will also be asked for assistance.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of the town of Ballston, which is leading the way and encouraging the other municipalities in the county,” said Michelle Arthur, the museum’s executive director.