Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence | Albany

The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, located at 194 Livingston Avenue in Albany, New York, is a historically significant site deeply connected to the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement in the mid-19th century. Built in 1847, this modest brick townhouse is an important symbol of freedom, resistance, and activism.

Historical Significance

Stephen and Harriet Myers were prominent African American abolitionists and community leaders who used their home as a safe haven for enslaved people escaping bondage via the Underground Railroad. The house served as a key station on this secret network, providing shelter, food, and protection to freedom seekers traveling north to Canada or safer areas.

Stephen Myers was a central figure in Albany’s African American community and an active advocate for civil rights and education. He helped organize the Albany Vigilance Committee, which coordinated efforts to assist fugitive slaves and combat slavery locally. Myers also edited abolitionist newspapers such as The Northern Star and Freeman’s Advocate and worked alongside famous abolitionists like Frederick Douglass.

Architectural Features

The residence is a two-and-a-half-story brick townhouse built in the Greek Revival style, common in the mid-1800s. Characteristic elements include:

Rectangular, simple window lintels and sills.

A recessed front doorway.

A decorative frieze band beneath a dentilled cornice.

A raised basement.

While the building’s exterior is modest and functional, its historical value comes from the lives and work it sheltered.

Preservation and Restoration

In the 1970s, the house faced demolition due to urban renewal plans but was saved by preservation efforts. In 2004, the Underground Railroad Education Center purchased the building and began restoration to return it to its historical appearance, particularly as it looked in the 1850s during the Myers’ occupancy.

The exterior restoration was completed by 2015, and work on the interior has continued, aiming to recreate the environment where the Myers family lived and worked to aid freedom seekers.

Educational Role and Visitor Information

Today, the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence functions as a museum and educational center dedicated to telling the story of the Underground Railroad, abolitionism, and African American history in Albany.

Address: 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY 12210

Tours: Available by appointment; tours provide in-depth information about the Myers family, their activism, and the broader abolitionist movement.

Contact: (518) 621-7793 for tour scheduling and information.

Visitors to the residence gain insight into the risks and sacrifices made by those who fought against slavery and discrimination. The house stands as a powerful reminder of courage and resilience in the face of injustice.

The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence is not only a preserved historic home but also a living tribute to the spirit of freedom and equality, honoring the legacy of one of Albany’s most courageous families in the fight for abolition.