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Museum Announces Grant to Expand Educational Program

December 7, 2006

For Immediate Release
Saratoga Springs, NY
Contact: Alan Edstrom at 518-587-1935


Automobile lovers think of the Saratoga Automobile Museum as a beautiful building full of unique, and often powerful, automobiles, but the museum has also become a focal point for Capital District educators and their students.

Whether they teach science, mathematics, art, history or vocational education, educators have found that a museum visit allows students to relate subject matter to the "real world" outside their classroom. This synergy was recently recognized by The Collectors Foundation.

"The Saratoga Automobile Museum is extremely pleased to announce that The Collectors Foundation, a public charitable foundation serving the long-term interests of the collector vehicle and vessel communities, has awarded a $15,000 multi-year grant to the museum," said Executive Director Steve Potter. "The grant, along with other fund raising activities, will allow us to offer free admission to almost 4,000 Elementary, Intermediate and High School students per year for the next three years."

Since its opening in 2002, the museum has grown by leaps and bounds, but has kept its primary mission of serving as an educational institution as the foundation of its varied programs and exhibits. ÏThereÌs a growing recognition of cars as a natural link for science, art, math and history that hooks young people into exciting "hands-on" learning,Ó added Alan Edstrom, Director of Programs and Events.

"Whether it's a Girl Scout Sleepover that introduces young women to science via automobile maintenance, BOCES Vo-Tech classes refurbishing a classic car or hosting the nationÌs largest alternative energy meet, the Tour de Sol, the museum is continually expanding its educational programs."

Here's a sample of some of the workshops, classes, and events that the museum will be presenting:

ïThanks to a $2,500, multi-year grant from Ed Haleman, Intermediate School Students in the Capital Region will be able to try their hands at automobile interior design by submitting ideas for the ultimate driverÌs controls in the "Dash Board Design Blast".

ïIn a partnership with Empire State College, the Museum will be offering an eight-week long Classic Car Class to members of the Academy for Learning in Retirement in Spring 2007.

ïThe third annual "How to Build the Best Pinewood Derby Car Ever" workshop for Boy Scouts in January right on the heels of the annual Adirondack Girl Scout CouncilÌs Girl Scout Sleepover. Both programs will include mentoring from Engineering Students from RPI's Society of Automotive Engineers.

ïRPI's Formula SAE program currently features its 2004 racer on display in the "Sprockets to Rockets Garage" at the Museum.

Additional funding for free admission for the 2006-2007 school years was also received from generous grants from Museum Member Robert Moser, the Stewart's Shops Foundation Holiday Match Fund, and through sales of various Classic Cars.

The mission of the Saratoga Automobile Museum is to display significant cars, trucks, and vehicles that not only represent the automotive heritage of New York State but the entire world of motorized transportation. In addition to a permanent collection of vehicles, the Museum is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York Department of Education and hosts a variety of workshops, interactive displays, lectures, and outdoor shows.

The Saratoga Automobile Museum is located on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park at 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Click here for more information on the Collectors Foundation