Cherry Hill
S. Pearl St. between 1st and McCarthy Aves., Albany, NYCherry Hill is a wood frame house, built by a Dutch master builder in Colonial style with a gambrel roof. Located on high ground in the southern part of Albany, the house once overlooked a large estate, with lawns and gardens extending down to the Hudson River.
The house was built in 1768 by Col. Philip Van Rensselaer as a home for his bride, Maria Sanders, who was the granddaughter of Peter Schuyler, first mayor of Albany. After Philip's death, Solomon Van Rensselaer purchased Cherry Hill for his wife.
During the half-century of Solomon's residence at Cherry Hill, he was Adjutant General of New York State, Postmaster of Albany, and a member of Congress. When the Marquis de Lafayette visited Albany in 1824, Solomon Van Rensselaer was his host and entertained him at Cherry Hill.
The house was occupied continuously for nearly two centuries by the same family. As a result, many of the original furnishings remain in the house, along with portraits, silver, china, and family documents. Some surplus furniture and family records are presently on loan to the Albany Institute of History and Art.
Throughout the years certain changes have been made to the house including the completion of the north wing and the removal of the balustrade surmounting the gambrel roof.
Local significance of the building:
The house was built in 1768 by Col. Philip Van Rensselaer as a home for his bride, Maria Sanders, who was the granddaughter of Peter Schuyler, first mayor of Albany. After Philip's death, Solomon Van Rensselaer purchased Cherry Hill for his wife.
During the half-century of Solomon's residence at Cherry Hill, he was Adjutant General of New York State, Postmaster of Albany, and a member of Congress. When the Marquis de Lafayette visited Albany in 1824, Solomon Van Rensselaer was his host and entertained him at Cherry Hill.
The house was occupied continuously for nearly two centuries by the same family. As a result, many of the original furnishings remain in the house, along with portraits, silver, china, and family documents. Some surplus furniture and family records are presently on loan to the Albany Institute of History and Art.
Throughout the years certain changes have been made to the house including the completion of the north wing and the removal of the balustrade surmounting the gambrel roof.
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The first recorded jazz concert took place in New York City in 1917, featuring a band led by the pianist James Reese Europe. Jazz music would go on to become a defining feature of New York's cultural scene, with legendary clubs like the Cotton Club and the Village Vanguard.
About Albany County
Albany County Timeline
Albany County, located in the state of New York, has a rich history that dates back to the early European settlement in the 17th century. The region was initially inhabited by the Mohican Native American tribe before Dutch explorers arrived in the early 1600s. In 1614, a trading post was established by the Dutch West India Company, marking the beginning of European settlement in the area.
In 1664, the English took control of the region and renamed it Albany, after the Duke of Albany, who would later become King James II. Albany became a significant center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location along the Hudson River. The city's growth was further stimulated by the establishment of Fort Orange, a trading post that served as a vital link between the Dutch and Native Americans.
Throughout the 18th century, Albany County played a crucial role in the American Revolution. The city became a center of political activity, and in 1754, it hosted the Albany Congress, where representatives from several colonies gathered to discuss a unified response to the French threat. Albany was also a key transportation hub during the war, as troops and supplies moved along the Hudson River.
During the early 19th century, Albany County experienced significant industrial and economic development. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 connected Albany to the Great Lakes, allowing for increased trade and the growth of manufacturing industries. The city also became the capital of New York State in 1797, solidifying its position as a political and administrative center.
Today, Albany County continues to thrive as the heart of New York's Capital Region. It is known for its diverse culture, rich historical landmarks, and educational institutions such as the University at Albany. The county reflects a blend of its early Dutch and English colonial roots with modern urbanization, making it a fascinating destination with a deep historical legacy.
In 1664, the English took control of the region and renamed it Albany, after the Duke of Albany, who would later become King James II. Albany became a significant center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location along the Hudson River. The city's growth was further stimulated by the establishment of Fort Orange, a trading post that served as a vital link between the Dutch and Native Americans.
Throughout the 18th century, Albany County played a crucial role in the American Revolution. The city became a center of political activity, and in 1754, it hosted the Albany Congress, where representatives from several colonies gathered to discuss a unified response to the French threat. Albany was also a key transportation hub during the war, as troops and supplies moved along the Hudson River.
During the early 19th century, Albany County experienced significant industrial and economic development. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 connected Albany to the Great Lakes, allowing for increased trade and the growth of manufacturing industries. The city also became the capital of New York State in 1797, solidifying its position as a political and administrative center.
Today, Albany County continues to thrive as the heart of New York's Capital Region. It is known for its diverse culture, rich historical landmarks, and educational institutions such as the University at Albany. The county reflects a blend of its early Dutch and English colonial roots with modern urbanization, making it a fascinating destination with a deep historical legacy.
Albany County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Albany County, New York.
- 1683 - Albany County is officially established by the Province of New York.
- 1777 - Albany County becomes a strategic location during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1791 - The city of Albany is incorporated and becomes the county seat.
- 1800s - Albany County experiences rapid industrialization and becomes a center for trade and transportation.
- 1812 - The War of 1812 brings increased military activity to the county.
- 1825 - Erie Canal opens, connecting Albany County to the Great Lakes and boosting the local economy.
- 1846 - Albany County is divided, creating the separate county of Rensselaer.
- 1883 - The State Capitol building in Albany is completed.
- 1936 - The Albany County Airport (now Albany International Airport) opens.
- 1972 - The Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza is completed in Albany.
- 1998 - Albany County celebrates its 315th anniversary.