Saratoga Centennial Event:

The Spirit of Life Re-Dedication

Friday, June 26th |4 – 5PM

Historic Congress Park

All are invited to the re-dedication of the Spirit of Life and Spencer Trask Memorial on Friday, June 26th, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM, in Congress Park.

Originally dedicated in 1915, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation and the City of Saratoga Springs together have overseen the restoration to unveil in celebration of the City’s and the Memorial’s Centennial.

Commissioned by Katrina Trask and George Foster Peabody to honor Spencer Trask, the Spirit of Life was designed by sculptor Daniel Chester French, who also designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

Architect Henry Bacon designed the backdrop and reflecting pool. Landscape architect, Charles Leavitt, Jr. planned the original landscape design. In the past hundred years, the trees had become diseased and it was necessary to remove and replace them to protect this historic landmark.

Inscribed on the wall:

“To the Memory of Spencer Trask,
His One Object in Life was to do Right, and to Serve His Fellow Men,
and Gave of Himself Abundantly to Hasten the Coming of a New and Better Day.”

And that he did…

The Centennial Series

Interested in learning more about the historic city of Saratoga Springs? Our Centennial Series blog, updated every Thursday, spotlights a significant building each week. See stories and photos from from past weeks and be sure to check the Centennial Series every Thursday to see the newest properties. You can also see them by following us on Facebook.