#WhereinAlbany - Underground Railroad Education Center

Last week’s #WhereinAlbany, as many of you correctly guessed, was indeed the Underground Railroad Education Center, 194 Livingston Avenue, also known as The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence. 

This brick Greek Revival townhouse, constructed in 1847, has an incredibly important history as the Capital Region headquarters for the Underground Railroad. It is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places, and now serves the community as a cultural and historic museum where the public can learn about the building’s role in the civil right’s movement, as well as the story of the people whom this monument to freedom helped.

A Brief History
Stephen Myers was a prominent abolitionist, born as a slave in Hoosick, NY around 1800.  After being released from slavery in 1818, Stephen married his wife, Harriet, in 1827, whose family worked in shipping and owned a sloop that travelled from New York City to Albany. The couple had 5 children.

stephen myers

Stephen was extremely active within the African-American community, lobbying and working tirelessly to create economic and educational opportunities,  helping enslaved people on their journey from the South to freedom, and publishing The Northern Star & Freemen's Advocate a “prominent voice for freedom and Black rights”, with the assistance of his wife.

“the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence for all of us, today and for generations to come, will stand as a constant reminder of the unresolved issues that are part of the legacy we have inherited, and, as before, are willing to band together to protect and strengthen that thread of freedom woven into We, The American People….” (Historic Structure Report)

194 Livingston Avenue
For over three decades Stephen and Harriet helped African-Americans escaping slavery by creating a safe haven at the very property which still stands at 194 Livingstone Avenue, contributing greatly to the movement. For some time it was also the headquarters of the Vigilance Committee of Albany; an organization which helped thousands of individuals by raising money, providing safe houses, and organizing routes to safety. Stephen served for several years as chairman of this committee.

The house itself was built by John Johnson - believed to have been Harriet’s brother - in the Greek Revival style, which was very popular at the time. By the middle of the 20th Century, however, the building was vacant and fell into decline. Thankfully the house’s important history saved it from demolition, with local historians Paul and Mary Liz Stewart advocating for its restoration.

The Underground Railroad Education Center as we now know it began a restoration project in 2007, with more than $950,000 being raised toward a project goal of $1,500,000. If you’d like to donate to the restoration of this building please visit their website here.

Read the Historic Structure Report >>
Visit >>
Please call (518) 621-7793 before visiting, Monday through Friday: 5pm-8pm, Saturday: 12pm-4pm, Sunday closed

#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.

Weekly Newsletter - 02/05/2021

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#EndangeredAlbany 13-17 Catherine Street

One of the historic places in Albany that I feel has been unfortunately overlooked is this row of Federal Houses across the street from the Schuyler Mansion.  They represent a historic streetscape that should be preserved and developed. Maybe as guest houses for events at the mansion. Number 17 was recently on the market and had many original details preserved.  The vacant lot to the east stands on the ground of Philip Schuyler’s plum grove and could be re-planted with plum trees to recreate the original view.  The whole area around the Mansion should be seen as a critical historic and touristic resource for the city.

by Peter Lacovara

The History of Catherine 13-17 Catherine Street

13 Catherine is believed to have been constructed around 1840, however, the wood frame building shows Greek Revival details around the windows and doors indicating that it may be earlier and closer in age to 17 Catherine.

The first known owner was James Eaton, a mason who lived near by and operated it as an investment property. The first owner-occupant was Mrs. Joseph Myers, a tailor. It was also home to tailor Peter Johnn, Prussian born vest maker Catherine Johnn, German-born carpenter Bernard Shock and his wife Catherine.

15 Catherine replaced a wood frame building on-site circa 1840. The brick house’s first known owner was Lansing Pendleton, who was considered to be a housing speculator in the mid 19th century. The house was then home to jeweler James Mulhall or Mitchell and his wife Eliza during the 1870s, tailor Jacob Vanderwart, Dutch-born shoe cutter Michael Vandenburgh, clerk Theodore Denter, laborer Nicholas Dashiem, boilermaker Edward Dooley, Paul Harrison [Hansen], Vincent Murphy, Augusta Rice, and junk dealer Meyer Rosen.

17 Catherine is the oldest of the row, dating to before 1819, shortly after the Schuyler estate was divided up after Philip’s death in 1804. The house has Greek revival details on the first floor, pilasters and window surrounds but was “modernized” in the 19th century with the addition of potentially a second and third story with the mansard. The first known owner was Lansing Pendleton. The house was also home to Irish born private detective Guaswid Pendelton, prison keeper James Clark, Elizabeth Keller, Russian born sheet metal worker Manule Kitaif and Russian born tailor Samuel Lubinsky.

The residents of all three homes give excellent context to how the neighborhood developed once it ceased being a country estate, as a blue-collar immigrant community. Owner occupancy was infrequent, however, they were frequently owned by neighbors.

This is part of our #EndangeredAlbany series for 2021
We will be using the hashtag #EndangeredAlbany to do monthly blog posts about endangered buildings that are of concern to a member of the public. Updates to the past Endangered List buildings will be done monthly using #EndangeredAlbany as well.

Have your own endangered building you’d like to highlight? Email kparker@historic-albany.org to learn more.

The houses in 1931, as viewed from Schuyler Mansion

Interior and exterior of Catherine Street houses, the National Register Nomination Form, maps showing these properties from 1857 and 1876