State Capitols – Albany, New York - Outside

New York Capitol in Albany (12 October 2009)

Constructed: 1867-1899

Architects: Thomas W, Fuller, Henry H. Richardson,

Leopold Eidlitz, Isaac Perry

State Admitted to Union: July 26, 1788 (11th)

State Population (2010): 19,378,102 (3rd)

To date, I have resided in four states. We have presented the capitols of Maryland and Wisconsin (two posts). New York is not just a state that I have inhabited. It is the land of my birth and education. I lived in the Big Apple until I graduated college and finally fled to the upper Midwest and America’s Dairyland. With the governor dominating the headlines lately, I figure it is time to show where he lives, works…and apparently acts inappropriately with women on occasion.

One of the original thirteen colonies, New York was the site of our new nation’s first capital after the Constitution was ratified. George Washington took the oath of office on the steps of Federal Hall in New York City.

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY (12 October 2009)

Looking back toward the capitol across the

reflecting pool. On the right is the Empire State

Performing Arts Center, also known as ‘The Egg.'

In 1609, Henry Hudson sailed up the river that now bears his name, exploring all the way to what is now Albany. He was hired by the Dutch to find the legendary Northwest passage to the Pacific and Asia. While that objective failed, he did lay the groundwork for Dutch colonization of the area. Albany was first settled in 1614, twelve years before Manhattan Island was finagled away from its inhabitants. As a school kid in New York City, I remember how the local history was taught…how unfazed the lesson was about how the shrewd Dutch traders acquired what would become the ‘Center of the Universe,’ Manhattan Island, from the naïve Natives for “$24 worth of beads.” It was to show the superiority of Europeans and the start of our conquest of the continent. It was the 1950’s after all and we were all far from ‘woke’ then. At least it was a mutual economic transaction and not a conquest. That would come later.

New York Capitol, Albany (12 October 2009)

After independence, a few towns served as New York’s capital but, in 1797, Albany was declared the center of state government.

New York has long been a pace-setter in cost overruns. As you can see in the above stats, it took four architects over three decades to finish the job. As each floor rose, a different design was applied. The building resembles a French chateau and has been described as ‘Renaissance’ or ‘Romanesque’ or ‘eclectic.’ The final bill, over $25 million, made the building the most expensive in the country at the time. The nation’s capitol in D.C. was completed for half that price.

New York Capitol, Albany (12 October 2009)

Albany-born Civil War General Phillip Sheridan

presides over the main entrance to the capitol

According to Richard Gibson’s book, ‘A Celebration of State Capitols,’ a cornerstone ceremony was held in 1871. It was the typical whoop-de-doo event, attended by thousands. Apparently, no one thought to mark the ceremonial block in some way and now, it cannot be located. Well played.

The New York capitol is one of eleven state capitols that do not have a domed roof or copula.

The exterior walls are white granite from Maine. It is one of the last large buildings to use masonry, load-bearing walls…some are over 15 feet thick.

Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY (12 October 2009)

Completed in the 1970’s, this 98-acre expanse includes the New York State Museum along with additional office space for government, a convention center and a performing arts center.

If you think the outside of this state house is ornate, wait till you see the inside.