Albany Version 3

Albany is the capital of New York State. However, the city’s name has not always been Albany. In 1624, it was established as the Dutch colony Fort Orange. Five years later, the settlement became a trading post of the Dutch West India Company. Another 23 years later, the name of the village was changed into Beverwyck by the governor of New Netherland, Pieter Stuyvesant. When Beverwyck became British in 1664, the British ruler James, Duke of York and Albany, changed its name into Albany. In 1686, Albany was finally recognized as a city. The city continued growing in the 18th century as it became an important trading center for a variety of raw materials and thus attracted European settlers in large numbers. In addition to that, Albany played an important role for military planning during the French and Indian War as well as during the War of Independence. Due to its central location along the Hudson River, the city was highly suitable for those important functions. Finally, Albany became the permanent capital of New York State in 1797. In the 19th century, the accessibility of the city further increased as it was linked to important places by steamships, railroad tracks, and the Erie Canal. Being so well connected, Albany turned into a significant supply center once again while the Civil War took place. For African-Americans, Albany fulfilled an important role as it was part of the Underground Railroad. As New York State’s capital, Albany was also home to several governors who later became President of the United States, for example Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin Roosevelt.[1]

Source:

[1] “City History.” City of Albany, 2013, www.albanyny.gov/Government/CityHistory.aspx. Accessed 6 Aug. 2019.

Image:

Pierre-Auguste Renoir: La Loge. 1874. https://1tq45j21k9qr27g1703pgsja-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/renoir-1280x640.jpg