Weekend Itinerary: Discover Albany's Revolutionary History
Albany County emerged as a key player in the nation's battle for independence.
The county hosted political affairs and military strategizing crucial to the nation's victory.
Many Albany natives joined the Continental Army and Founding Fathers such as Alexander Hamilton held strong ties to the area. Follow this itinerary as a guide to the American Revolution in Albany! See the historic homes and learn of the revolutionary figures that helped shaped the pivotal period.
Friday Evening
Start your weekend trip by checking into The Century House in Latham. The boutique hotel and restaurant has history dating back to the nation's formative years. The hotel stands on land originally purchased by the Stephen Van Rensselaer family in 1790. For over a century the land hosted a Federal brick estate house. In 1949, the Jim & Dorothy O'Hearn family transformed the estate into their dream business of a hotel and restaurant. Enjoy dinner in the Federal Tavern for a sense of historic charm to start your weekend.
Morning
After grabbing breakfast at one of Albany's local eateries, head over to the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, the historic home of Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler. During the Revolutionary Era, the mansion was a prominent location for politics, military strategizing, and social affairs. The home hosted many leading figures of the Revolution including Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. It was in the mansion's parlor that Hamilton married Schuyler's daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler.
General tours of the mansion lead visitors 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. Visitors can also book special interpretative focus tours of the mansion. These tours delve deeper into topics such as Alexander Hamilton's relationship with the Schuylers, the Women of the Schuyler Mansion, and the stories of the men, women and children who were enslaved at the estate. The site opens at 11 AM and tours are available by appointment. Contact (518) 434-0834 to reserve a spot.
Afternoon
Take a trip over to the Arbor Hill neighborhood during your Saturday afternoon and explore the Ten Broeck Mansion. The mansion was built for General Abraham Ten Broeck in 1797. A prominent figure in Albany during the Revolution, Ten Broeck commanded the New York Militia during the Battle of Saratoga and was a member of the New York Provincial Congress.
He held strong influence in Albany during America's early years, serving as the first Mayor of Albany from 1779 to 1783. He also acted as a Federalist presidential elector in 1796, casting his vote for John Adams. The mansion is open for tours on Saturdays at 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM. Guided tours include information on Abraham Ten Broeck, his influence in Albany's history, and stories of the servants, artists, artisans, and enslaved individuals who were part of the mansion's history.
Looking for a lunch spot between your historic stops? Local eateries open for lunch en-route to Arbor Hill include the City Beer Hall and McGeary's Irish Pub.
Evening
After spending your day learning about Schuyler and Ten Broeck's influence during the American Revolution, and the context of the early nation they lived in, visit the Albany Rural Cemetery. The cemetery, open until 7:30 PM from late March to early November, serves as the final resting place for both historical figures.
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 here helped influence an evolving American history. Notable gravesites include 21st President Chester A. Arthur and suffragist Alice Morgan Wright.
For dinner, head to downtown Albany for great food and drinks including The Hollow Bar + Kitchen and Common Roots Brewing Company.
Sunday
Morning
After checking out of your hotel, consider heading back into the city of Albany to enjoy brunch at the Olde English Pub. Though ironically now a restaurant serving English pub fare, the historic structure in which the eatery stands today has strong ties to the Continental Army. Known as the Quackenbush House, the site was built 40 years prior to the Revolution for the Dutch Quackenbush family. In 1777, Colonel Henry Quackenbush of the Revolutionary Army inhabited the home. 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. Enjoy seasonal brunch dishes in the restaurant's storied walls during your last morning in Albany.
Afternoon
Spend the last leg of your trip in Cohoes touring the Van Schaick Mansion. Discussions held in this home shaped the outcome of the Revolution and the course of history. The mansion served as a military headquarters during the conflict and hosted the Continental Army in August 1777. Here, the colonial soldiers formulated plans for the Battles of Saratoga. Known as the turning point of the Revolution, the victory secured French allyship and eventually led to the nation securing its independence. To book a tour, contact (518) 489-5160. Or if you happen to be visiting on the following Sundays in 2024, the mansion is offering tours from 1 PM to 4 PM: July 28, August 18, September 22, and October 20.
