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Albany's Role in America's Independence

Celebrate July 4th in New York's Capital City

Albany, NY – We're kicking off July here in Albany with a bang! Celebrate the holiday at the Empire State Plaza during New York State's Fourth of July Celebration. Starting at 2:00 PM all of the commotion will begin at the Empire State Plaza opening up with the new Independence Day Exhibit highlighting New York and its contribution in the American Revolution. Plenty of locally acclaimed food vendors, musical artists, games, and activities for the kids such as pony rides, face painting, and performances by aerial trapeze artists, Airly Acrobatics, will keep you entertained throughout the day. Finish the night with the biggest fireworks show in the region at 9:00 PM. Click here for an itinerary of the 4th of July celebration.



Albany's Historic Homes- After the festivities, take the weekend to the historic homes located in Albany County, which can help you get a closer look into the lives of men and women who played a part in our nation's independence.

Schuyler Mansion, built on a bluff overlooking Hudson River, was occupied by Philip J. Schuyler, a Revolutionary War General, U.S. Senator, and business entrepreneur, along with his wife Catharine Van Rennselaer and their eight children. From 1763-1804, the mansion plotted on an 80 acre land and was a site for military strategics, political hobnobbing, and elegant social affairs.

            

Ten Broeck Mansion, resided by General Abraham Ten Broeck and his wife Elizabeth Van Rennselaer, is a federal-style house with sloping lawns and formal gardens overlooking the hudson river, giving a view of the main trade route and its daily traffic of barges and schooners. The mansion was built in 1798, after Abraham served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress and as a brigadier general of the New York Militia at the famous battle of Saratoga. 

The Historic Cherry Hill holds a unique collection of memorabilia including books, textiles, photographs, and furniture that lays intact from a Rennselaer family residing in the home from 1787-1963. Feel free to take a look at the Knickerbocker Mansion, constructed in 1780 in Schaghticoke, New York and now fully restored; the Pruyn House, built in 1830, featuring a blend of federal and Greek revival architecture, as well as the Crailo State Historic Site which tells a story of the early Dutch inhabitants of the seventeeth-century colony of New Netherland.

Discover more about Albany's historic homes here.

Summer in Albany- Don't forget our first Alive at 5 event of the summer on Thursday, June 12th, hosting Fitz and the Tantrums as well as The Features. Every Thursday, Alive at 5 will feature bands of various genres both locally and nationally acclaimed, an assortment of food vendors, ice cold beer, and cotton candy and lemonade for the children along Albany's beautiful waterfront.

For more summer events and activities visit our Calender of Events.



About the ACCVB:
The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. was established in 1976 to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community through increased development of conventions and tourism. ACCVB currently represents more than 300 member businesses and assists each year in hundreds of regional meetings. ACCVB also operates the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, Henry Hudson Planetarium, and the Albany International Airport Information Center. For more information, call 518-434-1217 or 800-258-3582 or visit www.albany.org.