SARATOGA SPRINGS — Past and present collided at The Adult and Senior Center of Saratoga on Friday May 5, as Skidmore senior Phoebe Radcliffe revealed a two-year archiving project on the 60-year history of the senior center.
Senior center members gathered around tables filled with photo books, newspaper clippings and documents dating back to the 1950’s.
Up until recently, the memorabilia had been scattered throughout eleven bins. This was the first time it was formally put on display for members to interact with.
“It’s nice to see the growth of the center and all of the useful changes that have been made,” said Joan Cady, a senior center member.
Radcliffe’s involvement with the center began in 2015, when she created the documentary “Sixty Years Young” for Skidmore’s John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative program, under the direction of Professor Jordan Dym. The documentary was shown at the centers 60th anniversary gala in November 2015.
Following “Sixty Years Young,” the project developed even further.
“I was watching things fall out of photo albums and I couldn’t stand to see it happen,” said Radcliffe, who decided to work together with Dym to develop an exhibit that present and future generations could have access to.
“Over the last two years, I’ve seen this project evolve from what started as a documentary and archiving class to the engaging and extensive archive that it is today,” said Radcliffe.
Now that the archives are back in their permanent home at the senior center, the center plans to keep the exhibit materials accessible to the public, according to Lois Celeste, Executive Director.
“This was a huge project to take on,” said Celeste. “We are so grateful for all of Phoebe’s hard work and know it will impact not only the current generation, but generations to come.”
The formal exhibit will be out on display at the senior center until May 19.
