Saratoga Springs History Museum
1 East Congress StreetStep into nearly two centuries of rich, layered history on this engaging walking tour through Saratoga Springs—and discover a side of the city you may never have known.
“Beyond the Gut” invites you to explore 175 years of Jewish life in Saratoga through powerful personal stories, historical records, and vivid storytelling. Beginning in Congress Park at the iconic Canfield Casino, this immersive experience will guide you through the streets where generations lived, worked, and built community.
You’ll uncover the stories of Jewish visitors—both affluent and working-class—who were drawn to Saratoga’s famed mineral springs. Some stayed, laying the foundation for kosher hotels, local businesses, the city’s first synagogue, and a thriving cultural presence that extended far beyond the well-known “Gut” neighborhood.
Along the way, you’ll hear what it was like to raise families, preserve traditions, and grow up Jewish in a bustling resort town. From summers spent working in kosher hotels to encounters with legendary figures like Jack Dempsey, Al Jolson, and Diamond Jim Brady, these stories bring Saratoga’s past to life in a deeply human way.
This tour is more than history—it’s a journey through identity, resilience, and community woven into the very fabric of Saratoga Springs.
🎟️ Tickets: $30 General Admission | $25 for Museum Members
✨ Co-sponsored by Temple Sinai and the Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, a Saratoga local, or simply curious to see the city from a new perspective, this is a walking tour you won’t want to miss.
Sun, Aug 30, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saratoga Springs History Museum
1 East Congress Street
The mission of the Historical Society of Saratoga Springs is to foster public education and chronicle the story of Saratoga Springs’ history by operating the History Museum, conducting programs, and collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting materials that document the city’s social, political, economic, geological and cultural history.
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