Information
Landmark: New York State Executive MansionCity: Albany
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
New York State Executive Mansion, Albany, USA New York, North America
Overview
At 138 Eagle Street in Albany, the New York State Executive Mansion serves as the Governor’s official home, its white columns catching the afternoon sun.Since 1875, it’s been home to New York’s governors and their families, its brick walls and tall windows witnessing more than a century of life, making it one of the nation’s longest-lived governor’s residences.The mansion is a major historic landmark, celebrated for its striking architecture and its long ties to political power.Built in 1856 for wealthy banker Thomas Olcott, the mansion rises in the graceful Italianate style, its tall arched windows catching the afternoon light.The building’s early design captured the mid-19th-century love of graceful, romantic architecture, with arches that seemed to float in the afternoon light.In the 1860s, Robert L. transformed the building, reshaping its plain brick walls into something striking.Johnson, the mansion’s second owner, transformed it into a Queen Anne beauty, adding ornate gables and a wraparound porch that still catches the afternoon light.Governor Samuel Tilden moved into the mansion in 1875, making him its first resident, and two years later the state of New York bought it to serve as the official governor’s home.Over the years, different governors have left their mark on the mansion-Theodore Roosevelt, for one, put in a gym where the smell of fresh pine floors matched his zeal for fitness.Franklin D. stood by the window, rain tapping softly against the glass.During his fight with polio, Roosevelt had a swimming pool built-a quiet blue retreat that showed his faith in hydrotherapy.Al Smith built a small zoo on the grounds, complete with chattering monkeys, showing a playful, lighthearted side of the residence.In recent years, the mansion was restored and renovated with an eye on sustainability while carefully preserving its historic charm, right down to the creak of its century-old staircase.It earned the prestigious LEED Gold certification-Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-under the Existing Buildings rating system, becoming the first governor’s residence in the country to reach that mark.This certification honors the mansion for its energy efficiency, sustainable materials like reclaimed oak beams, and eco-friendly operations, all without sacrificing its historic character.Inside, the mansion blends historic charm with modern touches, its sunlit period rooms lined with elegant furniture, rich artwork, and intricate details dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries.Inside, you’ll find elegant reception rooms, cozy private quarters, and grand halls set for official state events.Gardens bloom beside sweeping lawns, with tall, timeworn trees casting cool shade, creating a dignified setting for the residence.For years, the New York State Executive Mansion has welcomed visitors inside, offering free guided tours that let you wander its tall, echoing halls.On these tours, visitors could wander through the mansion, admiring its carved oak staircases, learning its place in history, and hearing the personal stories of the governors who once called it home.Tour guides talk about the mansion’s polished wood furniture, its striking art collection, and the eco-friendly renovations that won it a LEED certification.For now, tours of the Executive Mansion are on hold with no set return date, and no one from the public can step past its front doors.Tours were only available with advance reservations, sometimes booked weeks before-like snagging a spot for Saturday just after the leaves started to turn.You can find us at 138 Eagle Street in Albany, NY 12202.Call (518) 474-2418, or visit the Empire State Plaza’s official site for the latest news on tours and events at the mansion and surrounding landmarks, from garden walks to evening concerts.If you’re in Albany and curious about history or government, you can easily wander over to the New York State Capitol-a grand stone building just a few minutes’ walk away-where guided tours reveal its towering marble columns and the story of New York’s governance.Empire State Plaza is a sweeping complex that showcases modern art, hosts shows at The Egg, and houses the New York State Museum-its marble walkways gleam in the afternoon sun.Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site is a carefully preserved Georgian home from the Revolutionary War era, where guided tours bring early American history to life-you can almost hear the creak of its original wooden floors.In 2024, a former head chef from the Executive Mansion dished out colorful stories about the quirky eating habits of New York’s governors and legislators, recalling Governor David Paterson starting his mornings with a steaming bowl of soup and Governor Kathy Hochul savoring simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.The New York State Executive Mansion stands as a proud emblem of the state’s political roots, its graceful architecture, and its dedication to sustainability, where stately brick walls meet modern green standards.Public access is limited for now, but the building still stands as a key landmark in Albany’s historic and governmental heart, its stone steps worn smooth by decades of use.
