#WhereinAlbany - 2 Ashgrove Place

This week’s #WhereinAlbany was the stunning 2 Ashgrove Place, located in the Mansion Historic District in the South End of Albany. This building has a rich and long history; it was originally built in 1839 by stonemason Alexander Gray and his son, before being enlarged in 1863. The unique circular belvedere that sits atop the Greek Revival building (and must have some incredible views) was also added during this time.

These changes were made by Samuel Schuyler (1811-1894), a prominent African American businessman and owner of the Schuyler Towboat Line (later renamed Samuel Schuyler & Company). Samuel was named after his father (1781-1842) the prosperous riverboat captain, whom it has been speculated was enslaved by the ‘white’ Schuyler family:

“Albany County manumission records report that a slave named Sam purchased his freedom in 1804 for $200 from Derek Schuyler. It is possible, but by no means certain, that Sam is the same man later referred to as Captain Samuel Schuyler”

(Exploring the History of the Black Hudson River Schuylers - Hudson River Maritime Museum)

The elder Samuel first appears in Albany records in 1809 as a “free person of color”, he worked his way up from the docks, eventually owning several sloops and running a very successful riverboat business. The company continued to expand by way of trading in grain and coal, and investing in real estate and railroading. He was buried at Albany Rural Cemetary, his memorial “engraved with three chain links” in recognition of his career.

Samuel (the younger) and his brother Thomas continued to grow the company after their father’s passing, modernizing with steamboats, owning several blocks of Albany’s South End, and being recognized for their philanthropic work. Samuel was not only the president of the company but also held positions as president of the First National Bank and Director in the Commerce Insurance Company.

When Samuel died, 2 Ashgrove Place became a medical dispensary (which also at one point became an open-air school for tuberculosis. It is now a private condominium, but we’d love to take a peek inside the belvedere one day and take in the view.

Want to know more?
> Friends of Albany History ‘Samuel Schuyler – Afro-American Riverboat Captain’
> Hudson River Maritime Museum Exploring the History of the Black Hudson River Schuylers

Weekly Newsletter 01/22/2021

https://mailchi.mp/e23215bf2142/weekly-newsletter-jan-22nd-2021

Where in Albany - 344 State Street

This week’s #WhereinAlbany was guessed correctly by many of you, so well done!

It was indeed 344 State Street. Both 344 and it’s twin 342 were built by James Eaton. Eaton was superintendent of construction of the Capitol building who had years of experience in masonry and architecture. Eaton also built properties on First Street and Elm Street.

344 was built in 1876, and - as it typical of Eatons’s style- is eclectic; the lintels are Queen Anne, the entry doors are Italianate, and the columns for the portico are Egyption in style.

City of Albany Launches it's Drone Project!

Great news! The City of Albany has secured funding to purchase one drone and to train & license up to 10 individuals to use a drone, thanks to a grant from the NYS Attorney General’s Office. The grant money was secured from the Zombies 2.0 grant, and administered by LISC.

The city has hired DartDrones to train the staff and assist them in getting the right drone and equipment. They also helped to train and equip the Water Department, which uses their drone to patrol the reservoir and assist in projects such as the recent daylighting of the Patroon Creek and the Green Infrastructure project on Ramsey Place.

How this helps

The city is hoping to use drones to improve upon its ability to perform rooftop inspections, particularly of vacant buildings, to catch issues with roofs earlier and prevent further damage and deterioration. This video of the Green Infrastructure project that Albany Water took on Ramsey Place gives an idea of how quickly and easily they can get views of rooftops across the City.

The Water Department has occasionally allowed the Department of Buildings & Regulatory Compliance to borrow a drone and pilot for test runs of this project, with one test run resulting in catching a roof problem at the vacant building at 346 Madison Avenue (see image below). Due to the images they were able to capture, they ordered an emergency stabilization of the roof, sidewall, and front façade, undoubtedly saving the building from further deterioration and giving it additional time for a more permanent solution to be found. 346 Madison Avenue is currently up for sale.

Over the next few months, the Department of Buildings & Regulatory Compliance will undergo further training towards taking and passing our Part 107 FAA Licensing Exams, as well as purchasing the drone and drone equipment. They anticipate being able to officially begin full-time aerial inspections this Spring or Summer at the latest.