Drinking The Waters: The Healing Springs Movement

This episode delves into the public health industry that emerged in New York State during the 19th century. As the understanding of medicine and health evolved, there were many communities in New York whose location was thought to have healing properties, most often because of the existence of springs or some other perceived environmental benefit. The most famous is Saratoga Springs, but there are others, including Pitcher Springs in Chenango County. These locations flourished in the 1800s, as people began to not only look at them as places of healing, but as places of high society and entertainment.