CONTACT: Mr. Eric Durr, 518-786-4581

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008

LATHAM, NY --New Yorkers visiting the historic displays of artifacts and equipment at the NYS Miltary Museum and Veterans Research Center will see changes this fall at the entrance of the historic armory location in Saratoga Springs. The museum will close to the public during construction from September 3-30 in order to replace and enhance the front entryway of the facility. The museum will replace the heavy steel doors with glass doorways that include an assisted opening mechanism for enhanced handicapped entry. The construction will also include the addition of an arched doorway incorporated to the front entrance of the facility to create an enclosed foyer. In addition, the museum will see the return of a set of iron gates that will replicate part of the armory's original structure. The estimated cost of the contract work is approximately $175,000. The building, designed by Isaac Perry and constructed in 1889, is an example of armory architecture that was popular in upstate New York in the late 1800's. The armory was selected as the site of military museum in 2001. The museum houses over 10,000 artifacts dating from the Revolutionary War to operations in Iraq an Afghanistan 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. The museum is operated by the NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs in partnership with the New York State Military Heritage Institute. The not-for-profit institute was formed in 1991 for the purpose of preservation, expansion, and interpretation of New York's military history collection. The museum web site can be found at http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/mil-hist.html. The Institute assists in museum exhibit-planning, as well as museum operations. Institute programs and support include fund raising, volunteers, educators and guides, educational annd lecture programs and reenactments. The Institute web site can be found at www.nymilitarymuseum.org. The administrative staff of the museum will continue operations during construction and appreciates the patience of the public as the facility undergoes these much needed improvements. The museum will reopen on October 1.