The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center
May 31st, 2010 | Author: nygenes1
A fine museum and research center concerning New York State residents who have served from the American Revolution through Iraq and Afghanistan.
The mission of the museum and research center is to preserve, interpret and disseminate the story, history and records of New York State’s military forces and veterans. The collection is divided into the museum and the library/archives holdings
From the website; The mission of the museum and research center is to preserve, interpret and disseminate the story, history and records of New York State’s military forces and veterans. The collection is divided into the museum and the library/archives holdings.
Begun in 1863, the collection has not had a secure, permanent home until the Governor announced in 2001 that the historic armory in Saratoga Springs, NY would be renovated to house the collection. The building, designed by Isaac Perry and constructed in 1889, is a fine example of armory architecture that was popular in upstate New York in the late 1800’s.
The museum houses over 10,000 artifacts dating from the Revolutionary War to Desert Storm that relate to New York State’s military forces, the state’s military history and the contributions of New York’s veterans.
The artifacts include uniforms, weapons, artillery pieces, and art. A significant portion of the museum’s collection is from the Civil War. Notable artifacts from this conflict include Colonel Elmer Ellsworth’s uniform, the medical kit of Jubal Early’s surgeon, and the uniform and bugle of Gustav Schurmann.
Included in the museum are significant holdings relating to New York’s 27th Division in World War I and World War II and notable state military regiments such as the 7th, 69th, 71st, and 369th New York Infantry.
The museum also owns the largest collection of state battle flags in the country and the largest collection of Civil War flags in the world. The flags date from the War of 1812 through the 1991 Gulf War.
The library and archive holdings in the Veterans Research Center include a 2000 volume library of military and New York State history, over 6,000 photographs, unit history files, broadsides, scrapbooks, letters and maps. Highlights of the library and archives material include over 2300 Civil War photographs, a collection of Civil War era newspaper clippings arranged by New York units, and New York National Guard service cards and service records dating from the 1880’s to 1965.
Museum Publications: Genealogy Resources in the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center; Veteran Oral History Program Self-Interview Packet; and the Library and Archives Guide.
The museum floor is completely accessible for people using wheelchairs. The research room is currently located in the basement which is only accessible via stairs.
There is no admission charge to visit the museum or use the research center.
Museum Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Research Center Hours:
Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Appointments are required.
If you have a research question you may mail it to:
New York State Military Museum
61 Lake Avenue
Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
Note: the Museum is closed on Mondays and on all New York State Holidays.
Thanks to @juliasgenes for calling this to our attention on one of the genealogy message boards. Seems a fitting day to tell it to the readers of Upstate New York Genealogy Blog. – Happy Memorial Day! We thank all veterans past and present for their service.
Check out their website and get directions to visit.
http://dmna.state.ny.us/historic/mil-hist.htm
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Posted in Museums | 
Tags: 000 artifacts, American Revolution, artillery pieces, Civil War, Civil War photographs, Happy Memorial Day!, history and records, over 10, The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center, through Iraq and Afghanistan, uniforms, weapons, World War I and World War II
9 Responses to “The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center”
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I’m so very pleased that I found your blog and joined for updates. I have a gr. gr. grandfather who was a member of Post 378 of the GAR. I’ve been trying to find out if the records of that post and their memorabilia has been saved anywhere. My grandfather told me that my gr. gr. grandfather donated most of his civil war things to the Post way back when. Your update now gives me another avenue to check out to see if I can find anything more. Thanks so much. Only wish I lived closer!
Thank you for the nice comment. There is always hope, we just have to keep digging. Many of thos old GAR records made their way into the local or county historical societies. You might want to check with them. Usually a local VFW or American Legion might have a historian that could tell you where they might be also.
I’ve done a bit of checking with Portchester NY and haven’t found anyone who knows what happened to the artifacts. Fortunately I do have two civil war belts and buckles attached that belonged to my gr. gr. grandfather. He fought for the Connecticut 17th, Co. I. As you probably know, Greenwich and Portchester are right next to each other and I believe that is why he joined a NY GAR post. The Westchester Archives had a copy of the original charter that I requested a copy of. Turns out that Nicholas Fox, a Medal of Honor winner, was a member of the post and my gr. gr. grandfather was one of the officers and founding members. I don’t know if you have ever “plugged” the Westchester Archives (I’m new to your blog) – I’ve found them to be extremely responsive and very helpful and chock full of info.
Forgot to add that Nicholas Fox also fought in a Connecticut infantry unit in the Civil War but went on to join New York’s Post 378 which was called the Charles Lawrence (I’ve also seen it spelled Laurence) post. Here is Nicholas Fox’s entry on the Medal of Honor list: FOX, NICHOLAS Rank and organization: Private, Company H, 28th Connecticut Infantry. Place and date: At Port Hudson, La., 14 June 1863. Entered service at: Greenwich, Conn. Birth: ——. Date of issue: 1 April 1898. Citation: Made 2 trips across an open space, in the face of the enemy’s concentrated fire, and secured water for the sick and wounded.
“Thanks to @juliasgenes for calling this to our attention on one of the genealogy message boards.” Hey, that’s me! What a surprise. This reminds me of that Steve Martin film, “The Jerk”, where the protagonist sees his name in the telephone directory and becomes ecstatic over the “spontaneous publicity”. I’m glad you found the “The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center” site useful. .^_^.
Ha, that’s funny! You are a prolific poster on the message boards and I for one really appreciate what you do. Thanks a lot. I know our readers appreciated the info on the museum. Dick
Julia My Gt Grandfather-MICHAEL TANCRED_ was a fireman 1st Class in the Civil War. He Joined the navy in Brooklyn and served during the battle of Charleston Harbor. When he returned to NY he owned a Bar on Washington Street in lower Manhattan. Do you happen to know of the POSTS of the GAR located in that area of Lower Manhattan(Canal Street to West Houston)? Regards ZB
I am the great great grand daughter of Nicholas Fox (medal of honor winner mentioned on this blog) and would appreciate any additional information or photos.
If anyone responds I will forward the information to you.