Random Bits of Albany 2023

Some stuff that didn't make their own blog post...

Historic State Street (one of the roads bounding the Albany Capitol building) claims itself as the oldest continuous use commercial street in the United States. It started as a trail for trappers and natives. In the 1650s, the Dutch settlers built homes and businesses along it, making it officially a street. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Birthplace of the mall?

Seen from a distance, St. Peter's Episcopal Church has a very interesting bell tower...or is it a steeple? Is there a difference?

St. Peters

At the east end of the Capitol building is a statue of General Philip Sheridan, seemingly on guard. He's a famous general from the American Civil War and was born in Albany.

General Sheridan

To the south of the Capitol building is the Empire State Plaza, full of much more modern-looking buildings and art. The most interesting is an art and performance theater call The Egg, which indeed looks egg-shaped.

More government buildings

One view of The Egg

Almost under The Egg!

More modern art

Dispersed around the plaza are various memorials, including one to New York firefighters and another for World War II veterans.

Firefighter Memorial

World War II Memorial

Near our parking was a bar called The Bull and Bee. They had some interesting decor on the back of the building. Also, they focus on meads, i.e. honey wines. Unfortunately we were there too early in the day to sample anything.

That's no bull!

New York State Capitol Building

The capital for the State of New York is far up the Hudson River in Albany. The Capitol is situated near the river in a large civic plaza. Like many other states, New York spent a great deal of money and time constructing the current building. Planning began in the late 1860s to replace the previous Capitol built in 1809. The groundbreaking was in 1867 but the project took a very long while. While he was governor, Teddy Roosevelt declared the Capitol completed in 1899, at which point the state had spent $25 million. Many restorations happened in the subsequent decades, especially after the 1911 fire. 

We approached the building by East Capitol Park, though that entrance was closed for renovations. 

 

East Capitol view

We walked around to the State Street entrance, went through the typical security, and began a self-guided tour. The first thing we saw was a bust of Christopher Columbus!

Christopher Columbus

Nearby is a portrait of George Washington, leader of the Revolutionary Army and first president of the country.

G. Washington

Just under his portrait are two gigantic chain links. The nearby sign explained they were part of the Great Hudson Chain. In 1778, a large chain was put across the Hudson River from West Point to Constitution Island, effectively blocking British ships from sailing north along the Hudson.

Great Hudson Chain links

We used the Senate Staircase to go up to the second floor. It certainly looks quite grand.

Stairwell of the Senate Staircase

The Assembly (the other legislative body of the New York State government) has a staircase with a more Gothic and Moorish design that we also used to go up another level.

Assembly Staircase

A bit of the decoration

On the second floor, we saw the Governor's Reception Room with a ceiling mural depicting various battles that the state's citizens were involved in over the years. A circle of benches and chairs suggests a gathering area and provide a chance to sit and admire the ceiling. Originally, the floor was supposed to be taken out, creating a small rotunda, but the plan was abandoned. Now visitors can see the murals very closely!

Governor's Reception Room

Ceiling mural

State seal on the rug under the mural

We were able to visit the Assembly Chamber. 150 assemblymen use the room to debate about and vote on laws. The room has a nice gallery and seating for invited visitors on the main floor.

Assembly Chamber

Fancy lighting

A clock from the exterior of the previous building

Unused fireplaces in the back of the room

The Senate Chamber is less accessible to visitors (at least on self-guided tours). I was able to take pictures from some third-floor windows. The state has sixty-three senators who would be meeting later that afternoon.

View into the Senate Chamber

View from the other window

The lobby of the Senate Chamber also has a clock (and a small bust of Franklin Delano Roosevelt). 

Bust and Clock (a good pub name?)

Also outside the Senate Chamber is one of the original desks that the 1880s senators used.

The original furniture

We saw the third main staircase, the Great Western Staircase, but opted for the elevators to go back downstairs.

Great Western Staircase

Skylight over the staircase

The building is an amazing place to visit. There's a museum in the basement which we did not visit.

View from State Street