Historic Albany Sites with Ties to the American Revolution
Explore how the foundation of our nation has ties to sites right here in Albany County.
Historic locations that still stand today tell stories of Albany's revolutionary figures, explore military strategies that changed the course of history, and tell tales of America's formative years. Many of these sites also shed light on the lives of those omitted from traditional narratives including enslaved individuals, servants, and artisans during the founding of the nation. Scroll on to learn how various sites and figures in Albany's history contribute to the story of the American Revolution.
Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
This home found in today's South End of Albany was a prominent location for politics, military strategizing, and social affairs during the Revolutionary Era. It was home to Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler and his family including wife Catherine Van Rensselaer and daughters Angelica Schuyler, Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler, and Magarita "Peggy" Schuyler. The home hosted many prominent figures of the American Revolution including Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. It was in the parlor, pictured above, that Hamilton married Elizabeth Schuyler. Tours of the Schuyler Mansion will lead you through stories of the Schuyler family, the lives of individuals enslaved at the estate, politics, society in the 18th century, and the American Revolution in Albany.
Van Schaick Mansion
The Battles of Saratoga are known to be the turning point of the Revolution. It was during this 1777 event that the American Continental Army achieved a crucial victory over British General John Burgoyne and his forces. The resulting surrender by the British army convinced France to ally with the US which would lead the new nation to secure its eventual victory. But did you know that much of the military strategizing behind the battles took place in Albany County? Van Schaick Mansion served as a military headquarters during the Revolution. In this home, Generals Schuyler, Gates, Poor, St. Clair and Colonels Morgan, Gansevoort, and Arnold formulated the strategic plans that would shape the outcome of this historic conflict.
Crailo State Historic Site
"Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle dandy" — the lyrics to this tune are well-known throughout the country. But did you know this song of patriotic pride was penned at the Crailo State Historic Site, located right across the river from Albany? During the French and Indian War, this historic home served as a common fort known as Fort Crailo. In 1758, British surgeon Dr. Richard Shuckburgh visited the site and observed Colonial soldiers stationed there. Amused by their behavior, he penned a poem that would become the lyrics of Yankee Doodle.
Of course, the song was initially intended to mock the colonists. But it took on a new identity during the American Revolution when it became the de facto anthem of the eventual American Continental Army. Today, Crailo State Historic Site, originally the home of the Dutch Van Rensselaer family, stands as a museum of Colonial New Netherland.
Tory Cave at John Boyd Thacher State Park
A walk along the popular Indian Ladder Trail in Thacher Park will lead you to a historical marker for Tory Cave 1777. Named for a story that took place during the Battle of Saratoga, a "Tory" refers to a colonist who remained loyal to the British side of the war during the American Revolution. The historical marker tells the story of Jacob Salisbury, a spy during the Burgoyne Invasion, who hid from settlers in the cave along the Heldeberg Escarpment.
Ten Broeck Mansion
Abraham Ten Broeck was a prominent figure in Albany during the American Revolution. He commanded the New York Militia at the pivotal Battle of Saratoga and was a member of the New York Provincial Congress. His influence extended into America's formative years, serving as Mayor of Albany from 1779 to 1783. In 1796, he acted as a Federalist presidential elector, casting his vote for John Adams. The mansion, completed in 1797 for Ten Broeck and his family, reflects the Federal-style architecture that emerged after the revolution. Beyond Ten Broeck himself, the mansion holds the often overlooked stories of those who shaped its history, including enslaved individuals, servants, artisans, and artists. The Albany County Historical Society works to preserve, acknowledge, and educate on these diverse narratives that shaped Albany's history.
Olde English Pub
The second oldest building in Albany, the home in which Olde English Pub operates today has remained on Albany's streets through many historical events. Predating the Revolutionary War, it was built for Pieter Quackenbush in the 1730's. Generations of Quackenbush's inhabited the home, none so prominent as Colonel Henry Quackenbush who served in the Revolutionary Army. After achieving victory during the Battle of Saratoga, Quackenbush was tasked with escorting captured British General Burgoyne to Schuyler Mansion for imprisonment. During this journey, the Continental troops stopped at the Quackenbush House for refreshments.
Albany Rural Cemetery
The Albany Rural Cemetery is an expansive, beautiful, and historic site. Among its notable residents are various figures from the Revolutionary War era such as General Philip Schuyler, his wife Catherine Van Rensselaer, and their daughter Magarita "Peggy" Schuyler. It's also the final resting place for General Peter Gansevoort and Colonel Goose Van Schaick who both served on the Continental Army. Other figures buried at the cemetery helped shape America's evolving history over the centuries. Notable gravesites include 21st President Chester A. Arthur and suffragist Alice Morgan Wright.
Built in 1787 for Philip and Maria Van Rensselaer, this house museum reflects the nation in its early days through thousands of items including books, diaries, documents, photographs and more. The home was occupied through 1963 and a visit showcases an ever-evolving Albany and America. Historic Cherry Hill recently received a grant from Capital District Library Council to digitize the Philip and Maria Van Rensselaer Papers, Series 2. These papers include Revolutionary War military papers (both letters and accounts related to provisioning the Continental Army), papers related to the construction of the home, and a recording of the births and deaths of individuals enslaved at Cherry Hill. The papers have been used for a long time by military and political historians. Historians at Cherry Hill note their importance for shedding light on the lives of enslaved individuals during the founding of our nation.
