City of Albany History

History

Welcome to the official website for the City of Albany, New York. New York State's Capital City has been making history for more than 400 years. Albany was first claimed by Henry Hudson for the Dutch in 1609 and was chartered as a city in 1686, making us the second oldest chartered city in the country.

Appointment as Capital

Albany was designated as the State Capital in 1797. Our rich history is prominently displayed in our architecture and venerable institutions, including one of the oldest museums in the country, founded in 1791.

Renovations

Albany’s historic and diverse neighborhoods are the foundation of our City and the positive impact of new investment in our neighborhoods can be seen in Park South, the South End, Sheridan Hollow, Arbor Hill and beyond.  Since I took office in 2014, investments of more than $100 million have been made in new parks, streets, sidewalks, and water and sewer infrastructure across the city, with a focus on neighborhoods impacted by redlining and other historically discriminatory practices. 

Our city is the economic and cultural center of the Capital Region of New York State. In addition to being the seat of State government, we are home to the State University at Albany, the College of Saint Rose, and major medical, pharmacy and law schools. We are also the home to the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, a world renowned institution that has attracted global businesses to the area, making us a premier business destination.

My administration's streetlight purchase and conversion program has reduced Albany’s carbon emissions, improved pedestrian safety, and saved millions in taxpayer dollars. We are further combatting climate change with a city wide commitment to plant 2,025 new trees by 2025, installing electric car charging stations throughout the city, and empowering its Director of Sustainability to keep the city on track to meet its 2030 climate goals.

The steadfast goal of my administration since 2014 is to create a more vibrant City, neighborhood by neighborhood. There are so many success stories that have taken shape and we have seen much progress and taking steps to further unleash Albany’s full potential. Over the last decade, Albany has seen $1 billion in new development citywide, with another $120 million in the pipeline – all indicators of continued historic investment in New York’s Capital City. This includes more than $100 million in transformative investments in Downtown, including new residential and mixed-use development, plus further investment in the arts and entertainment centers that continue to draw hundreds of thousands of people into Albany. We have enhanced neighborhood and waterfront connections with initiatives like the Skyway, and with the $10 million award Albany received as part of Governor Hochul's third-round Downtown Revitalization Initiative - Clinton Square and surrounding neighborhoods are poised for unprecedented success. 

Economic & Cultural Aspects

Our city is the economic and cultural center of the Capital Region of New York State. In addition to being the seat of State government, we are home to the State University at Albany, the College of Saint Rose, and major medical, pharmacy and law schools. We are also the home to the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, a world renowned institution that has attracted global businesses to the area, making us a premier business destination.