History of the Friends

Our Organization

The Friends of the New York State Military Museum, formerly the New York State Military Heritage Institute, is a 501(c)(3) organization formed in 1991 to preserve, expand, and interpret New York State’s military history collection maintained by the New York State Military Museum.

Our mission is to support and assist the New York State Military Museum in the ongoing development and operation of one of the highest quality state military museums in the nation.

Supporting the Museum

The Friends serve as the official private partner organization of the New York State Military Museum and provide valuable support to museum operations through:

• Fundraising
• Recruitment, training, and management of volunteer docents
• Administration and staffing of the museum store and book shop
• Development and funding of educational programs for school groups
• Advertising, promotion, and maintenance of the website
• Management and development of social media content
• Organization and sponsorship of public programs, lectures, film presentations, family activities, and reenactment groups
• Acquisition of critical museum supplies and services

About the New York State Military Museum

The New York State Military Museum traces its origins to 1863, when it was created as the Bureau of Military Statistics under the office of New York State’s Adjutant General.

In 2001, under the authority of the Adjutant General and the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, the Museum opened in Saratoga Springs. Today, it presents interpretive exhibits focused on New York and New Yorkers in the nation’s major conflicts.

The Museum’s collections include a nationally renowned collection of Civil War artifacts, the largest Civil War battle flag collection in the country, and a wide range of uniforms, weapons, swords, equipment, and artwork from the Colonial Era through the present.

Past Projects

Over the past several years, the Friends have provided significant funding for permanent exhibitions at the Museum, including:

• A Call Not Unheeded: The Evolution of New York’s Militia and National Guard, 1792–1916
• Empire for Union: New York and the Civil War
• Hot Spots in the Cold War: Korean and Vietnam Wars

The Friends also sponsor an annual lecture series and have supported conservation treatment for paintings, uniforms, and Civil War battle flags, as well as the acquisition of historic artifacts.

Education

The Friends plan to continue the annual winter lecture series, which is free and open to the public. With increased funding, the Friends hope to expand the series to include more prominent scholars and presenters from beyond the local area.

The Friends also hope to develop a one- or two-day scholarly symposium on broad topics related to the Museum’s permanent exhibitions, featuring nationally recognized scholars, graduate students, and subject experts.

Through the Education Committee, the Friends are working to develop programs and materials for various grade levels that align with New York State Learning Standards.

Exhibitions

The Friends are currently working to support Museum staff in the development and installation of a permanent exhibit about the role of New Yorkers and New York military forces in the Global War on Terrorism.

Fundraising efforts are underway to assist with exhibition design, graphic production, exhibit cases, construction, and interactive audio-visual components.

Expansion

Recognizing the need for increased space for exhibitions, programming, storage, and work areas, New York State’s FY2026 budget includes funding for a three-story annex to the current Museum building.

The Friends are planning to raise funds for interior display enhancements and facilities that will improve the overall Museum experience.

The Friends are also focused on strengthening membership, board development, governance, and volunteer leadership to support the Museum’s future.