Welcome to the online archive and exhibition space of the Skidmore Saratoga Memory Project (SSMP) of the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative  and History Department at Skidmore College.

The collections and archive offer on-going exploration of the contemporary and historical life of Saratoga County and Skidmore College. The site was designed, built and has been curated since its inception by Professor Jordana Dym, inaugural MDOCS director (2014-2018) and professor in the Department of History, with support from students and staff to support community and campus partners who wish to host their materials. 

Overseen by the MDOCS Director in coordination with participating on campus programs and community partners, the Skidmore-Saratoga Memory Project documents the rich history and cultures of Saratoga County and the contribution of historical and contemporary figures on the national and international stage. 

The Memory Project balances critical inquiry with the goals and interests of community partners and the broader public. This website will make available materials collected in the course of the Project.  Other projects envisioned include Skidmore Saratoga Stories, Skidmore Saratoga Shorts and the People of Saratoga Springs.

Major Memory Project collections include a database of historical maps of Saratoga Springs, accompanied by a website, Saratoga Springs in 250 Years of Maps and oral histories collected from members of the Skidmore and Saratoga area communities.  At Skidmore faculty from history, music, social work, and documentary studies have built projects within the collection, and the Retiree Interest Planning Group hosts its ongoing oral history archives.

Recent additions include research into African-American baritone Harry T. Burleigh's Saratoga connections, the voices of Latinx members of the community, and tales of the Flurry Festival and Beekman Street Arts District.

As additional resources -- including oral histories, archival collections, exhibits and more -- become available, we look forward to sharing them.

For more information about this collection and exhibition, contact Prof. Dym.  For more information about MDOCS, contact mdocs@skidmore.edu.  For courses in public history, documentary studies, american studies, art history, environmental studies, anthropology or other programs supporting historical work in the community, visit the academic program webpages to learn more.