First, I apologize for the extreme delay in getting this blog post done. And for not have many pictures of my own. Other attendees have graciously allowed me to use their photos of this spectacular event.
I arrived a day early with Jessica Craig, the organizer of the event. We spent the day in modern activities including a mineral bath at Roosevelt Springs. It was very nice!
Friday was arrival day for many of the others. We stayed at The Inn at Saratoga. It has been an Inn since 1843 and expanded over time. Upon arrival, attendees received period ephemera of Saratoga Springs such as this wonderfully produced guidebook produced by the ever-creative John Peterson.
The room I had was a double queen; it was small and strangely arranged, but comfortable and I enjoyed my stay. The inn staff were pleasant and very helpful.
Saturday started with a slight inconvenience. I had brought three dresses for the weekend. As I put on the perfect dress for the picnic, the skirt ripped from the bodice. I tried to repair it quickly, but that wasn’t working so had to wear the dress I intended for dinner for the picnic. No real tragedy, but disappointing.
The period activities began Saturday with a picnic in Congress Park, just a couple of blocks from the Inn. It is a lovely park with several springs, mineral and plain.
Again, John Peterson added to the enjoyment of this activity by providing us all with cups to use to take the waters.
During the 19th century, your visit to the springs was facilitated by the commentary and assistance of “dipper boys.” A few of the gentlemen in our group took on this role. As we visited each spring in the park, the gentlemen would pour us a dipper of water and extol on the qualities, the history, and the benefits of the particular spring. This really added to the experience. It was amazing how many illnesses and conditions the water would cure!
If you got passed the smell and the taste. I did not find the mineral water very pleasant, and I wasn’t the only one. The spring water was very nice.
The other event for the day was a lovely picnic under the trees. Our repast included sandwiches, strawberries, the famous Saratoga chips, lemonade, and cakes for dessert. Evie Lawrence organized the picnic and did a splendid job. Everything was period correct from the foods to the containers. Of course, we raised many questions from the modern visitors to the park.
Once lunch was completed some of us visited the historical society museum, which used to be the Casino. It was a lovely museum detailing the history of Saratoga Springs as a spa town up to the 20th century.
I then returned to the inn to take a little rest and prepare for dinner.
Dinner was a lovely experience. It was a buffet, and the food was delicious. The conversation at my table was lively and I met some new friends. After dinner we had some humorous recitations.
Sunday, we enjoyed a delicious box lunch next to Saratoga Lake then a cruise in an original 1920s boat. It was such a wonderful and relaxing excursion. The captain and his mate were very pleasant and the waters calm.
So ended another amazing Jessica Craig event! These events are so wonderful. It’s nice to have an event where citizen impressions are the main focus. I can’t wait for her next one!
Categories: Civil War