NYS Arts grant to improve accessibility at Saranac Laboratory Museum

SARANAC LAKE | Historic Saranac Lake (HSL) has announced a grant award totaling $600,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts to support construction of an accessible entrance at the Saranac Laboratory Museum. This grant is part of a capital project funding announcement by NYSCA, which totals over $82 million to 132 arts and culture facilities across New York State. The capital project is the final phase of HiSL's project to expand its museum to become a two-building campus. The grant will support the installation of a handicap lift and foyer addition at the rear of the Saranac Laboratory. The new entrance will integrate the visitor experience across the museum campus and provide accessibility in all areas. The new addition will also serve as an improved museum store. Construction of the accessible laboratory addition is expected to begin soon. HSL anticipates the project will be completed by 2027. HSL purchased the former home and medical office of Dr. E. L. Trudeau in 2019 to preserve the historic building and utilize the additional space for expansion of their Saranac Laboratory Museum. $5.5 million was invested in the rehabilitation of the building, and construction was completed in 2025. The expanded museum campus promises to be a centerpiece of Saranac Lake's historic downtown district. Both buildings are intimately connected to Saranac Lake's unique history as a center for tuberculosis research and patient care. But the story of Saranac Lake extends beyond the borders of the village and stories of tuberculosis. The new museum provides the space to present the rich history of the Saranac Lake region, encompassed by the boundaries of the sprawling Saranac Lake school district. History of Indigenous peoples will be introduced in collaboration with David Kanietakeron Fadden, director of the Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center in Onchiota. The new Trudeau Building exhibits will open in August. All members of Historic Saranac Lake and those who have contributed to the museum expansion project at any level will be invited to the ribbon-cutting on August 15. A community-wide celebration will take place the following Saturday, when the doors to the Trudeau Building will be thrown open for a free Open House. Historic Saranac Lake Executive Director Amy Catania said, "We are thrilled for the support from New York State Council on the Arts to complete the museum campus. NYSCA has made such a difference in our work, serving as an important partner in our programs and capital projects over the years. This grant is a wonderful vote of confidence in the expanded museum, and it affirms our commitment to accessibility." The grant is matched by private support totaling more than $500,000. "We are extremely grateful for the lead gift from longtime supporter and member of the Board of Directors, Joan Grabe," said HSL board president Lisa Lauroesch. "Joan's generous gift has leveraged significant additional private support and now this major grant. We are confident that we will be successful with raising the remaining funds to meet our goal and begin construction very soon." "New York's powerful arts and culture sector is a formidable asset," Governor Hochul said. "Our continued investments in museums, theaters and art centers generate incredible returns — sparking innovation, boosting local economies, driving visitors and making us the global epicenter of arts and culture." New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Erika Mallin said, "We know that when the arts flourish, communities follow — bringing energy, creating jobs, expanding accessibility, and increasing tourism. This grant program is a critical investment in our creative sector, empowering our creative community and inspiring innovation. Congratulations to all the grantees, we look forward to seeing these diverse projects develop all throughout the state."

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NYS Arts grant to improve accessibility at Saranac Laboratory Museum

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