Clifton Springs will be bringing back Museum Day for 2021 on Saturday, June 19 and the theme will be the celebration of Dr. Henry Foster’s birthday. This year marks 200 years since his birth in 1821.
Dr. Foster is credited with making use of the Sulphur springs for medicinal purposes that the town had to offer upon his arrival in 1849. He established the “Water Cure” based on the medicinal use of Sulphur and people visited from all over to bathe in the water.
The celebration will be honoring his contributions to Clifton Springs before his death in 1901 at the age of 79.
The event will be held on the front porch and lawn of the Foster Cottage Museum on Main Street.
At 11 a.m. there will be an unveiling of a marker alongside Sulphur Brook in Dr. Foster’s honor funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. The marker will also commemorate the Clifton Springs Sanitarium built in 1896, which is now the Spa Apartments residential facility.
Following the unveiling people are invited to enjoy cake and a card signing in honor of Dr. Foster’s birthday.
Dr. Les Moore will be present to portray Dr. Foster, something he has been doing for almost 20 years. Dr. Les Moore currently practices naturopathy and acupuncture in Bushnell’s Basin. He is a pastor at Wellspring Church in Clifton Springs.
Dr. Nicholas J. Day, a gastroenterologist affiliated with many local hospitals, will be presented with the Physician Excellence Award.
Four gingko trees were gifted to Dr. Foster by a Chinese missionary in the late 19th century, and in celebration children and families can participate in a scavenger hunt to locate gingko trees organized by the Clifton Springs Library. The Woodland Gnome will also be present and families can take a Story Stroll at the Foster Cottage based on the children’s book, “Forgetful Ginkgo Tree.”
In honor of Dr. Foster organizing the first fire department in the village of Clifton Springs, families are invited to the Clifton Springs Fire Department on Kendall Street to meet Nate Cook, the 2020 Fire Fighter of the Year, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.
There will be various other activities happening at the Foster Cottage including:
Learning about veterans banners that line village streets from the VFW Post 44 veterans.
Vintage photographs of Clifton Springs.
Children’s coloring projects and Dr. Foster bookmarks.
“Mixed Media Village Scene” for kids from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. hosted by Main Street Arts Gallery.
Ice cream and popcorn for sale from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. sold by the Baptist Church and Community Bank.
A community picnic beginning at 11:30 a.m. until sold out.
Warfield’s Dr. Foster’s barbeque pulled pork plate, served with salt potatoes, fresh coleslaw and home-style cornbread. Meals are $12 or 2 for $20. Tickets are encouraged to be purchased prior to the sale and are available at 10 village locations. Curbside pickup is available at Village Drive. For more information, call the museum at 315-462-7394 or email [email protected].
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