As we look back on 2025 and prepare for the exciting year ahead, we want to take a moment to reflect on how essential you are to Historic Albany Foundation. HAF would not be what it is today without the dedication and generosity of our members, program participants, and supporters of the HAF Parts Warehouse. Your continued commitment makes our work possible.

Fifty years ago, a small group of passionate advocates came together to form Historic Albany Foundation. They believed Albany needed a strong voice to protect the buildings that tell the story of our city’s rich and important past. Today, five decades into that mission, our dedicated staff, members, and supporters continue to tell those stories—through the architecture that surrounds and defines this great city.

As we move into 2026, there is no better way to honor the legacy of those who came before us than by beginning a new chapter at the restored Van Ostrande–Radliff House, our future headquarters at 48 Hudson Avenue. As the oldest standing building in Albany, it is a powerful symbol of preservation, continuity, and our enduring commitment to Albany’s history.

What We Accomplished in 2025

Let's begin with the two of HAF’s largest and most mission-aligned fundraisers, both proudly hosted in Center Square churches.

The Spring Auction: Champagne and Tiffany was held at First Presbyterian Church on State and Willett Streets. The event showcased the church’s extraordinary Tiffany stained-glass windows and welcomed more than 225 attendees. With over 100 auction items, the evening was a vibrant and successful kickoff to Albany’s event season.

Next, BUILT 2025 took place at Emmanuel Baptist Church, also on State Street in Center Square. The cocktail reception drew 250 attendees, while 180 pieces of local artwork were featured in the auction. A curated holiday shop highlighted locally made goods and launched the holiday shopping season. During public open hours, BUILT welcomed more than 1,000 visitors, making it an exceptional and high-impact conclusion to the fundraising year.

Together, these events exemplified HAF’s mission and marked an outstanding year of community engagement and fundraising success.

Preservation Merit Awards since 1976, has honored projects, individuals, and organizations that demonstrate excellence in—and a deep commitment to—historic preservation. We are proud to recognize those who protect Albany’s architectural heritage, often in the face of significant challenges. Each year, the awards celebrate efforts ranging from the restoration of large, long-vacant buildings to smaller projects that choose to repair and restore rather than gut and replace. This year, we honored 9 recipients and welcomed 80 supporters.

The HAF very popular walking tours program returned this spring with over 100 participants!

The HAF highly anticipated Lecture Series was once again a tremendous success, beginning with the book launch of The Firehouses of Albany by Tony Opalka at the Albany Institute and concluding with the Matthew Bender Lecture celebrating 200 years of the Erie Canal at the New York State Museum. In total, the series featured seven talks and drew more than 300 attendees.

The HAF Tool Lending Library Nailed it again with a great year! Two Repair Cafes with a total of 93 repairs! A hugely succesful Giving Tuesday, 11 workshops with 104 participants, 194 members to the tool library, 955 tools and 2,439 successful loans!

The First Friday Tours of the Van Ostrande–Radliff House roof attracted more than 500 visitors, each witnessing the painstaking process of carefully removing the original Van Ostrande roof, treating it, and flawlessly reattaching the Dutch-gabled structure to its rightful place atop the building. The result was nothing short of extraordinary, made possible by the exceptional craftsmanship of the construction team at Duncan and Cahill and the vigilant oversight of Director of Preservation Cara Macri, who has led this project with unwavering dedication since its inception.
Of course the popular Hot Chocolate Stroll in December brought in over 250 people to take a sneak peak at 48 Hudson!

In 2025, our Advocacy efforts focused on the creation of a local Historic District for the Tudor's on Holland Avenue. The application was approved by the Historic Resources Commission, and we are currently working with the Albany Common Council to advance the designation. A vote on the proposed district is anticipated in 2026.
Cara Macri answered hundreds of calls and emails looking for technical service advice and the contractor list. We are also thrilled to have brought back the residential historic plaque program!

A Look at 2026

2026 will be a year of new beginnings for HAF. We will finally open the doors to our new home at 48 Hudson, and with this new location comes an exciting expansion of our programming and offerings.

Expect expanded First Fridays featuring guest artists and live music, engaging Lunch & Learn programs, and the launch of an exciting new lecture series. We’ll also add new district walking tours to our highly successful Walkabout Wednesday series.

Look for a new slate of hands-on DIY workshops, a second location for our popular Tool Lending Library, and the opening of the Parts Warehouse Annex at 48 Hudson.

We’re also thrilled to introduce a thoughtfully curated gift shop that reflects the city we so passionately advocate for, with Albany memorabilia prominently featured.

Most importantly, we will continue our mission of advocacy for the historic buildings of the City of Albany. Thanks to your dedication and contributions, we are able to sustain and advance this important work.

We look forward to seeing you in the coming year. Once again, thank you for your continued dedication to the Historic Albany Foundation.