Greek Revival Architecture in Albany, New York
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Description
This architectural tour from the Historic Albany Foundation highlights various Greek Revival buildings throughout New York's capital city.
1. South Ferry Street
If you plan on doing the full tour, we suggest starting at 71 South Ferry Street and heading east towards Equinox at 35 South Ferry Street. From there you can take a left onto Green Street, pass by Saint John's Church, and take a left onto Westerlo Street for the next stop.There are several buildings along South Ferry Street that serve as excellent examples of Greek Revival architecture. First, we will visit 53, 59-61 and 65-71 South Ferry Street all of which were built between 1815 and 1832. Many of these buildings were developed and lived in by partners in a local brewery, as well as merchants and landowners who then utilized them for rental income.We will then walk past 35 and 37 South Ferry, built sometime between 1828 and 1831. These buildings served as the Saint John’s Roman Catholic Parish parochial school and rectory. Number 35 was designed by famed local architect, Philip Hooker. Today it is occupied by Equinox, a homeless shelter for teens.All of these buildings are part of the Pastures Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and then to the State Register with the passage of the New York State Historic Preservation Act in 1980.
2. 48-66 Westerlo Street
This long section of rowhouses located at 48-66 Westerlo Street lie in the heart of the Pastures Historic District. These handsome homes were built between 1828 and 1831, with the majority of their construction being attributed to Henry Rector and Darius Geer. A few of these homes were set aside to be used as rental properties for local innkeepers. Additionally, a property was occupied by a member of Geer’s brother.This set of rowhouses demonstrate many aspects of Greek Revival architecture, featuring simple rectangular lintels and sills, flat friezes and simple cornices that line the top of the recessed doorways (many of which have pilasters). Similar to the buildings on South Ferry Street, the rowhouses were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and later added to the State Register with the passage of the New York State Historic Preservation Act in 1980.
3. 2 Ash Grove Place
In the Mansion Historic District in the South End of Albany, there stands the impressive 2 Ash Grove Place. It was originally constructed in 1839 by Alexander Gray and his son William, two stonemasons and owners of a nearby stone yard. These gentlemen also built the houses at the next stop of our tour. From 1848 to 1894, this was the residence of Samuel Schuyler, one of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent African American businessmen. It was subsequently enlarged during his residency in 1857. In 1863, there was the addition of the recognizable belvedere at the top of the building. After taking on various uses, today, this building is a private condominium.2 Ash Grove Place is one of the more elaborately decorated stops on this tour. Its recessed entrance encased in the larger decorative enframement, simple lintels and sills, and use of transoms is all evidence of the Greek Revival style of architecture. This building was added to the State and National Register of Historic Places in 1982 when the entire Mansion Historic District was listed.
4. 16-22 and 39-45 Trinity Place
These rowhouses at 39-45 Trinity Place are in the Mansion Historic District of Albany. In conjunction with the prior stop on this tour, 2 Ash Grove Place, these homes were built in 1839-40 by Alexander Gray and his son William. The Grays lived in one of the rowhouses for a brief time before selling it. Although this tour location is pinned in the area of 39-45 Trinity Place, you may also decide to walk north up the street to check out 16-22 Trinity Place. All of these buildings are excellent examples of Greek Revival-inspired architecture with characteristic combinations of cornice lines with dentils and flat frieze, and windows with barely projecting lintels and sills. Additionally, the buildings have recessed entrances framed by pilasters and entablatures. Sometime in the past, these entrances were adorned with transoms and sidelights. Since these homes are in a historic district, they were all added to the State and National Register of Historic Places. The entire Mansion Historic District was listed in 1982.
5. Broadway Row: 744-748 Broadway
The rowhouses located at the corner of Wilson Street and Broadway, sometimes referred to as Broadway Row, have a very rich history. This includes connections to some of Albany’s oldest families: the Van Schaicks and the Ten Broecks. Although the exact date of their construction is unknown, it is believed that they were built pre 1846, and possibly as early as 1831. In the past Broadway was lined with rowhouses, but due to years of demolition, these four beautiful Greek Revival buildings are the only ones that remain.These rowhouses demonstrate various characteristics typical of Greek Revival architecture, specifically the presence of a cornice, a wide frieze band, simple moulded lintels and sills, and a recessed entrance with Doric pilasters or columns. While not included in either the Clinton Avenue Historic District or the Broadway-Livingston Historic District, which are each just a block away, these homes were officially listed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
6. 194 Livingston Avenue - Underground Railroad Education Center/Stephen & Harriet Myers Residence
This recently restored building in the Arbor Hill neighborhood of Albany was once the residence of Stephen and Harriet Myers; abolitionists and central figures in the northeastern New York Underground Railroad. Built in 1847 by African American sloop captain John Johnson, Stephen and Harriet Myers lived here during the 1850s with their children. The home was notably used as the office and meeting place of the Vigilance Committee, which provided assistance to freedom seekers during the mid-19th century. After years of neglect, the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. purchased the property in 2004 with hopes to restore it and use it as an educational space. It is both historically & architecturally significant: a highly intact example of a mid-nineteenth-century brick Greek Revival home and a building that tells an important tale about this movement (now home to the Underground Railroad Education Center). It was added to the State and National Register of Historic Places in 2004, and although the organization has made great progress the restoration process is not yet complete - please see their website below to donate.
7. 631 Clinton Avenue
The beautiful temple-front home at 631 Clinton Avenue stands just outside of the Clinton Avenue Historic District in the West Hill neighborhood of Albany. Built sometime between 1820-1840, this building's style is typically what your mind might conjure when thinking 'Greek Revival', with its eye-catching front-gabled roof and full facade porch with square columns. Set back from the road this home is unique to the city, with this subtype of Greek Revival more common in northeastern and midwestern states. Its status to become listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places is currently undetermined but could change in the future.
8. 246 Whitehall Road
Welcome to 246 Whitehall Road, the final stop of our tour. Taking you outside the general downtown area of Albany, this Greek Revival home certainly stands out. There is some debate on whether the home was built in 1825 or around 1840 - comparatively the majority of the homes along this road and the adjoining streets were built during the twentieth century. This building is a wonderful example of a free-standing rural style of Greek Revival architecture that is harder to find in a city, and it demonstrates the expansion of Albany during this time period. Take note of the pilasters and shutters, recently put back on the home. The status of the home in terms of being listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places is undetermined, however, this does leave an opportunity for its listing to happen in the future.
