The Albany Institute of History & Art traces its roots back to 1791, making it one this one of the oldest museums in the United States. It offers a variety of regional collections in addition to a variety of exhibits and works of art including sculptures, paintings, ceramics, glass, maps, photographs, antiquities, and rare books and pamphlets. Highlights include the two mummies and artifacts from ancient Egypt, collections of manuscripts and diaries from the colonial period and American Revolution, and the Hudson River School collection of paintings. The museum consists of two buildings: the Rice House, which was built in 1895, and the museum building, the original portion of which was erected in 1907. The complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
This Art Deco skyscraper was once said to be the tallest building between New York City and Chicago. Completed in 1928 and dedicated in 1930 it has 34 floors. The names of every county in New York State are engraved around the perimeter of the building. Originally called simply The State Office Building it was renamed in 1945 in honor of former governor Alfred E. Smith.
This Beaux-Arts style building, with it's impressive colonnade, was built between 1908 and 1911 to house the New York State Education Department. Its colonnade of 36 Corinthian columns, one of the longest in the world, provides a striking facade on Washington Avenue. New York City architect Henry Hornbostel designed the building. When it was dedicated in 1912 it contained the New York State Education Department, the New York State Museum and the New York State Library.
New York's fourth and current capitol building, this historic structure was completed in 1899 for the cost of $25 million. When completed, the capitol had set the record for the most expensive government building of the 19th century. The building was almost completely destroyed by a fire twelve years after its completion. The New York capitol building is one of only ten state capitols to not inlcude a dome. The capitol building is open for daily tours.
A striking example of Romanesque architecture, Albany City Hall was completed in 1883, replacing the previous one destroyed by fire in 1880. Many consider it among the most attractive buildings in the United States. Built of rusticated granite and brown limestone trim, if features a 202-foot tall tower, numerous arches, decorative terra cotta floral and geometric designs, and carved stone relief sculptures of gargoyles and other figures. The tower houses one of only 116 concert carillons in the country (a carillon is instrument of bells played by a keyboard). Albany City Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and is a contributing property of the Lafayette Park Historic District, which is also listed on the register.
This federal-style brownstone was built in 1815 and remains the oldest public building in the city. It served as home to the Albany Academy, a college preparatory school, until the 1930s. During the 1820s and 1830s, Albany was the tenth-largest city in the United States and this was the largest school of its kind at that time. The building is currently the headquarters of the Albany City Schools. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Designed by local architect Henry Rector in the Greek Revival style, the New York State Court of Appeals was originally constructed in 1842 to house state offices, such as the Comptroller, the State Architect, and the State Supreme Court. It served in this capacity for 75 years until it was officially dedicated as the home of the Court of Appeals on January 8, 1917. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 for its architecture and important political and legal functions.
St. Mary's Catholic Church is the second oldest Catholic parish in New York state and the fifth (or possibly sixth) church constructed in Albany. Erected in 1867, its Italian Romanesque Revival design is reminiscent of many northern or central Italian churches. This style was an appropriate choice of architect Charles C. Nichols given the large numbers of Italian immigrants in the city at the time. However, Charles designed an elaborate interior combining the French Gothic and Renaissance styles. The church, which is the third located on this site, is built of red brick and limestone and features limestone trim arches and decorative elements. The distinctive bell tower is 175-feet tall and is topped by a bronze statue (it functions as a weathervane) depicting the St. Gabriel the Archangel of Judgment blowing a trumpet. St. Mary's was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
The foundation for St. Peter's, the massive stone church on State Street at the corner with Lodge St., was laid on St. Peter's Day, June 29th, 1859. The church was designed by Richard Upjohn (and/ or his son Richard M.), the architect famous for the design of Trinity Church in New York City. This is the third St. Peter's Church building to be built in Albany; the earlier ones dated to 1715 and 1803. A vestry room and corner tower reaching 180 feet were added in 1876. St. Peter's Church became a National Historic Landmark in 1980 and was listed in the New York and National Registers of Historic Places in 1972. The building still holds an active congregation of the Episcopal Church.
The Performing Arts Center in the Empire State Plaza is instantly recognizable because of its unique shape. Universally known as "The Egg," it stands out as the only smooth, round edifice on the plaza otherwise composed largely of imposing angular structures. Construction started on The Egg in 1966 and it was completed twelve years later in 1978. It contains two theaters that showcase a variety of performances throughout the year.
The Corning Tower is 44 floors and is the tallest building in New York State outside of New York City. It was constructed as part of the Empire State Plaza complex and was completed in 1966. It houses the New York State Office of General Services. The 42nd floor has an observation deck that is open to the public.
Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the nation's oldest and largest state-operated museum and has been located in this modern structure since 1976. Visitors to the museum can see a number of exhibits related to the museum's early mission of preserving the natural history and conducting geological research throughout the state. The first floor holds the museum's permanent collection as well as several smaller galleries that hold thematic exhibits that change throughout the year. The second and third floors are home to staff offices, artifact storage and preservation spaces, and offices of numerous research agencies. The fourth floor offers additional exhibit spaces, a wonderful view of the adjacent Empire State Plaza, and a favorite for children of all ages- a carousel that was built in the early 20th century that guests can ride.
What is now the home to the governor of New York did not begin as such. Built in 1856 by a local banker, it served as a private residence until it was rented by Governor Samuel Tilden in 1875. It was then purchased by the state in 1877. It has since served as the home to 32 of New York’s 56 governors, to include future presidents Grover Cleveland and Theodore and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The small private home expanded over the years and now encompasses 40 rooms, 29,500 square feet, and 3.5 acres. It is open for free guided tours and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walking tour covers two-and-a-half miles and includes some of the landmark structures, museums, monuments, and governmental buildings along a relatively short walk along Washington Avenue to Albany's Lincoln Park. Be sure to also look at some of the other walking tours in the area along with hundreds of individual Clio entries for individual landmarks in the area.
