Albany – A Capital Idea of Historical Proportions

by Sandra Scott

When asked to name the capital of New York State many people think of New York City. But as every 4th grade New York State student knows, Albany is the Empire State’s capital. Tourists zipping along the New York Thruway between New York City and the Niagara Falls often bypass this city with a history that spans four centuries. Commissioned by the Dutch East India Company in 1609 to report on the new world, Henry Hudson, with a crew of 18, sailed his small ship the Half Moon to the upper reaches of his namesake river. Hudson told of the magnificent river and the bountiful area. The Dutch ignored Hudson’s glowing accounts until 1621 when they set up trading posts. Then came French Huguenot families, soldiers, and traders and Fort Orange was established. In 1664 the English sent warships and took over control renaming Fort Orange in honor of the Duke of Albany. Dutch merchants retained control over Albany's lucrative fur trade and continued to farm the fertile land along the Hudson. The people of Albany became a valuable source of contact between the British, the French, and the Iroquois. The area prospered and more immigrants attracted to the rich farmland arrived from Europe. Albany’s strategic location made it a critical player during the colonial wars and, with the completion of the Erie Canal, a hub for Westward Movement.

The past and present

All visits to Albany should begin at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center in historic Quackenbush Square. See exhibits detailing Albany's rich history and be transported back through time by watching the center's orientation show “Albany: A Cultural Crossroads.” There are plenty of brochures and information about the region along with a knowledgeable staff ready to help plan a visit. Plan to visit the Quackenbush House located directly next to the Visitors Center. Built in 1736, it is the oldest remaining Dutch building in the city and today serves as a restaurant.

The Visitors Center is where tours start. Guided tours by trolley, on foot, and even by horse drawn-carriages take visitors through Albany's neighborhoods and historic sites. Or, pick up the free “Capital City! A Walking Tour.” The Aqua Ducks tour will “quack” you up when, after showing off the city’s treasures, including the State Capitol, Ten Broeck Mansion, and Washington Park, it splashes down in the Hudson River in the specially designed amphibious Hydra-Terra vehicle.

Views from the Aqua Duck give a new perspective of the city and its eclectic architecture including the Flemish-Gothic Delaware & Hudson Building that was once the headquarters for the D & H Railroad and now serves as the headquarters for the State University system. A local architect Marcus T. Reynolds patterned the building after Cloth Hall in Belgium. The weathervane is a replica of Henry Hudson’s ship the Half Moon. Not far away is another architectural gem from the modern era, The Egg. After 12 years in construction, and considerable controversy, the building opened in 1978 as a place for events and performances but the building is an artwork in its own right.

Historic Albany

The best place to learn about the history of both Albany and New York is at the New York State Museum. At one exhibit, “Beneath the City: An Archaeological Perspective of Albany,” each item reveals information about the people who created and used it. Artifacts are related to the early Dutch settlement, a colonial rum distillery, the expansion of the city, and the daily life of past residents. Name your interest and you will find it at the museum from a 30-foot skeleton of an Atlantic Right Whale to the Adirondack Wilderness Area to the birds of New York. The Fourth Floor “Windows on New York” celebrates the different regions of New York State.

There are several historic homes offering tours including the Schuyler Mansion, home of Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler and his family. Built in the 1760s, the Georgian-style mansion features 18th century interiors complete with furniture, decorative arts, paintings, and personal artifacts of the family. Also open to the public is Cherry Hill, the 1787 home the Van Rensselaers. It remained in the family until 1963.

The USS Slater represents a more recent history. During World War II, Destroyer Escorts battled Nazi U-boats on the North Atlantic protecting convoys of men and material. In the Pacific they stood in line to defend naval task forces from Japanese submarines and Kamikaze air attacks. Today, only one of these ships remains afloat in the United States, the USS Slater. The ship is open for tours from April through November.

The Plaza

The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza is the seat of government operations for New York State. Governor Rockefeller wanted to create "the most electrifying capital in the world." The complex of 10 buildings that line three reflecting pools has become a cultural center with a large number of modern art paintings and sculptures at various locations. Most are works of the New York School created in the 1960s and 1970s including Jackson Pollock and Alexander Calder. Free guide maps are available at various locations pinpointing the location of the works of art.

The Plaza is also the starting point for the Capitol tours. Begun in 1867, construction continued until 1897 when Governor Frank S. Black declared the building finished, ending one of the longest running public works projects in the state's history. The Capitol, with its legislative chambers and eclectic exterior, is the historic centerpiece of Albany. Of special interest is the Million Dollar Staircase with more than 70 faces carved into the pillars. During World War II the skylight above the staircase was covered to protect the building from possible air raids. It was uncovered in August of 2002 revealing the full beauty of the staircase.

Festivals

The city hosts many festivals, concerts, and special events throughout the year but the most popular and the one most indicative of the city’s background is the Tulip Festival. The 60th Albany Tulip Festival will be held May 9 - 11, 2008 in Washington Park. Besides thousands of tulips blooming in a myriad of colors and varieties there will be entertainment on three stages, over 100 crafters, fine arts displays, a KidZone, and, of course, food vendors. The highlight of the festival will be the crowning of the Albany Tulip Queen.

From pre-historic times to the present each group has left their mark on the area making Albany a fascinating destination of historic proportions. Besides being a great destination in its own right, Albany is an excellent jumping off point for the Hudson Valley, the Adirondacks, and the Catskills. For more information check www.albany.org or call 800-258-3582.

Recommended accommodation: Century House, www.thecenturyhouse.com – historic with fine dining and artifact incorporated into the construction.

Recommended dining: Century House; Jack’s Oyster House, www.jacksoysterhouse.com; Pump Station, www.evansale.com.