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Along the Hudson River:

Fort Nassau, USS Slater, USS Albany, and more!

Albany, NY – The Albany riverfront is lined with history and events that make for an exciting nautical getaway, especially in 2014 as we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Fort Nassau. Other riverfront attractions such as the USS Slater and Dutch Apple Cruises add to the excitement of summertime along the Hudson River.
 
Fort Nassau, named after Prince Maurice of Nassau, States General of the Netherlands, was the first Dutch settlement in the United States, and was located alongside the Hudson River at the approximate location of the present day Port of Albany. The Fort was built by Captain Hendrick Christensen in 1614 as a small trading house. It was a 26 x 36 foot one-room structure, surrounded by a 50 feet square stockade, and 18 foot wide outer moat. Unfortunately, in 1617, the fort was destroyed by a flood, and although Christensen and his crew were provided the materials to rebuild Fort Nassau, he and most of his crew were killed in an attack by a group of Native Americans. The crew's survivors managed to salvage the Captain's possessions, which were returned to his wife. Check out the article about Fort Nassau in the 2014 Albany Visitors Guide!

World War II's last destroyer escort remaining afloat in the United States today is located right here in Albany's Hudson River. The USS Slater DE766 is a cannon class destroyer escort, named for named for Frank O. Slater of Alabama, a sailor killed aboard the USS San Francisco during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. The USS Slater is now ported in Albany, in honor of the Capital City of New York State which gave up so many of her native sons to the preservation of freedom. Currently, the ship is in dry-dock undergoing extensive hull repairs and reinforcements but will return to Albany by June for visitors to enjoy!



We just celebrated the 20th anniversary of the USS Albany exhibit at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center! Five ships of the US Navy have carried the name Albany in honor of the Capital City of New York State, from 1846 to present day. The exhibit features a brass test model constructed by the United States Navy, measuring 14’ L x 18” W x 51” H, constructed in 1/48 scale of the actual ship. The exact date the model was constructed is unknown, but it is believed to have been shortly before 1958.



There are several tour options offered by Dutch Apple Cruises! See Albany in more ways than one- you can choose between a sight seeing cruise along the Hudson River, a guided bus tour, historic City of Albany tours, and now Wine, Beer and Restaurant tours. The 
new Hops and Haunts walking tour allows visitors to learn about the spirits that inhabit Albany's historic buildings and streets, stopping at several shadowy watering holes along the way. Learn about the spirits of Legs Diamond, Boz the Baker, and even Abraham Lincoln!

Don't forget the Tulip Festival is coming up on Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th in the Washington Park in Albany; and Alive at Five, every Thursday at 5 o' clock during the summer, right on the Hudson waterfront!

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.