National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame

The National Museum of Dance occupies a former bath house building in Saratoga Springs and displays photographs, videos, costumes, and artifacts throughout its galleries. The collection includes biographical materials and documentation that trace dance's development across American history.

The museum was founded in 1986 by Marylou Whitney as the first institution in the United States dedicated entirely to preserving and presenting dance history. This foundation made Saratoga Springs a center for dance preservation and documentation.

The museum honors dance legends through its Hall of Fame, which welcomed Fred Astaire and George Balanchine among its first inductees. The hall reflects how America celebrates and remembers those who shaped this art form.

The museum offers dance education through the Lewis A. Swyer School of the Arts and hosts summer learning programs during the warm months. Plan your visit around these educational programs, which bring activity to the building at different times of the year.

This is the only museum collection in the United States focused exclusively on dance as an art form, and it sits within Saratoga Spa State Park. This setting combines dance heritage with a natural recreation area in a way few other institutions can match.

Location: Saratoga Springs

Inception: 1986

Founders: Marylou Whitney

Website: http://dancemuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 43.06609,-73.79026

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:40