TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It’s not every day that you get transported back in time, but this month, residents of Troy are getting just that. Preparations for the third season of “The Gilded Age” have officially begun in the city.
“Oh my gosh, it's a crazy preparation going on, light poles need to come down,” said Kathryn Sheehan, executive director of the Hart Cluett Museum. “Basically, for the scenes on our historic Second Street, you need to get rid of the 20th and 21st Century.”
The hit HBO series has been using Troy’s historic architecture to film the past two seasons. This year, production crews have returned to hit some of their favorite spots, including the city’s unique church steeples and library.
“You see a lot of scenes where people are walking and talking as they're going up the street, and you have this as a backdrop. You don’t need to create a set. We have a set; it's here,” said Sheehan.
Everyday things such as ‘No Parking’ signs and paved roads will be replaced with lavish symbols of the 19th Century – an attraction that some local shops said they’re lucky to have.
“For our community, being able to have the whole show happening in Downtown Troy, it brings a lot of people to us, and so we’re very grateful,” said Alejandro Griffin-Diaz, co-owner and founder of Jacob Alejandro.
Alejandro’s local coffee shop also played a big role in last year’s filming. Production crews told NEWS10 that last year Jacob Alejandro coffee was the only nearby shop open at 6 a.m.
“One day, we stayed open till like three in the morning making coffee and making sure they get caffeinated to have a successful production,” said Alejandro.
Many believe the filming has helped put Troy on the map.
“It's been a huge economic driver really. Our visitation at the museum alone is up about 35%,” said Sheehan. “So from a historian’s perspective, that's gold.”
“The Gilded Age” filming will begin next week on Aug. 5 and last until Aug. 23. Producers have not yet released an official premiere date for this new season.
