#WhereinAlbany - King's Place, 27 North Swan Street

Many of you figured out the building in last weeks #WhereinAlbany was indeed King's Place at 27 N. Swan Street, very close to Ten Broeck Mansion, built between 1852 and 1856. It was originally owned by a William Munsing, a local gasfitter, but it is more well-known in its current iteration for its the association with Howard King and John J. Olcott, who used it was a home for their law firm from 1870.

The distinct brick Greek revival building gets its regal name from being the entrance to ‘Kings Road’ (the back entryway to the Mansion). It has been suggested this name was in recognition of Olcott’s business partner.

Now home to the Albany County Historical Association, the restoration of this building was certainly a labor of love and a great success story for local preservation, with the rededication ceremony taking place in 2013 after a long period of decline. The restoration of this unique building was funded by City of Albany Community Development Block Grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and through Replacement Housing Factor Funds from the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This was part of a larger project that aimed at “remove(ing) blight and provide affordable housing” in the area.

A Little more about the Olcotts
The Olcott Family bought Ten Broek Mansion in 1848, renaming the area Arbor Hill. A prominent banking and philanthropic family, they remained owners of the building until 1948, after which they donated the Mansion to the Albany County Historical Society.