St. Andrew's Society History

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The St. Andrew’s Society of Albany, NY was founded over 200 years ago in 1803., starting with 18 men of Scottish origin who wished to help their fellow descendants and be of “productive of good in the city”. Initially their activities were centered around welcoming and assisting with new arrivals of a Scots background, eventually filling the organization with a wide variety of members of different backgrounds. Their overall purpose? “To relieve the distressed” quietly without saying. Since then the society has participated and supported a variety of charitable causes and activities - including hosting Historic Albany Foundation’s Washington Avenue Celebration.

“The Rooms”

The St. Andrew’s Society has occupied the building at 150 Washington Ave since 1928, but the story of the building stretches further into the past. Built in 1891, this three-story brownstone was originally the home of James McKinney (co-owner of a local iron manufacturing company) . It was designed by Edward Ogden and Sons as a residence. Upon purchase, the Society completely refurbished the first and second floors, designed by David C. Lithgow.

First Floor

Parlor - Furnished in an 1890’s style, visitors can see photographs of past presidents of the society displayed.

Assembly Hall

An “oak-beamed room with ceiling of blue” (D. Lithgow) complete with shields of Scottish clans and spun glass Jacobite windows - as well as a replica stone mantel, based on those commonly found in Scottish castles.

Stairway and Second Hall

Shows an exhibition of David Lithgow’s art and bronzed based reliefs of Signers of the Declaration of Independence by Charles Calverly.

Second Floor

Library

2,000 volumes of Scottish subjects

Rams Head Mull (gift of British War Relief Society in 1942)

Book Cases given by State Senator Curtis Douglas

Four Bronzed Panel (duplicates of those found on the Burns Monument)

King Alexander III Penny

Wee Kitchen

Fireplace - replica of one found i the Burns Corttege in Alloway, Ayrshire.

Curling Club Badges (late 19th Century)

Wednesday, 26 February 2020 from 17:30-19:30 / free event

 
 

The Founding of Rapp Road & Tour of Wilborn Temple

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Join us on Thursday February 27th to explore the story behind the Rapp Road Historic District. This group of over 20 houses (located near Albany Pine Bush) is truly unique not only in Albany, but also in the state and the country.

During the Great Migration from Mississippi the families who built Rapp Road chose to buy rural land and start from scratch, instead of staying in the South End. The resulting "Southern style shotgun homes" make up the current Historic District. This community and architecture is truly one of a kind, with the majority of homes still being owned by the original families and their descendants.

The Rapp Road Association will present these stories about their rich history at this special event - preceded by a tour of Wilborn Temple. The Temple was founded in the height of The Great Migration in the 1930's and has continued to serve the community ever since.

Buy your tickets here: http://bit.ly/2OLm15J

$5 HAF Members / $10 General Public. Use the ticket link to purchase, or email info@historic-albany.org or call 518-465-0876 to reserve a spot.

"(Rap Road is )Albany’s only African American focused historic district and a part of the 3 percent of all National Register listings that celebrates African American heritage". - Rapp Road Association Website

"the historic Rapp Road community is a treasure-chest of local history" - Dave Lucas WAMC article

A Moveable Feast to be Hosted at Renaissance Albany Hotel

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This year’s A Moveable Feast on Saturday, April 4th will begin and end at an HAF Preservation Merit Award winning location – the Renaissance Hote! . Do you know the story behind this stunning building?

Lovingly restored by Columbia Development and is a testament to local historic preservation efforts. A highlight when entering the refurbished lobby, guests can look up and marvel at the 12 murals atop the high walls depicting local historic events and places — the Revolutionary War, the Erie Canal, etc. These magnificent murals, which date to when the building first opened as the Dewitt Clinton hotel in 1927, were restored along with the rest of the building.

The Dewitt Clinton Hotel was built in 1926-27 and opened in August 1927 two years before the Great Depression of 1929. While the first to sign the registry was Governor Al Smith, the actual first sleepover was by Dewitt Clinton, Jr., a feral black and white kitten who wandered into the hotel in August and made itself comfortable in a fourth floor bedroom. The kitten left on August 30 after giving up its room for a basket under the lobby desk.

The Dewitt Clinton Hotel quickly became the hotel of choice of legislators and politicians due to its proximity to the NYS Capitol.  Many a political deal was made at the hotel’s restaurant and bar until it closed in 1975.

Brandon Stabler of Columbia Development, who oversaw the recent renovation states “Every time I go downtown and see The Renaissance Hotel and Wellington Row alive and thriving, I feel an extreme sense of pride for the work we accomplished with HAF.  We worked together over many years sharing our interests and needs, and we created a plan that we could all call a success.  This sense of pride in accomplishment is something I hope everyone gets to experience in their life.”

 For more information on the history of this grand building and its life in Albany, check out this Times Union Blog post from 2015:  https://blog.timesunion.com/rittner/welcome-to-albanys-renaissance-hotel/5018/

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday April 4th! 

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