New York State Capitol, Historic government building in Albany, United States
The New York State Capitol is a government building in Albany whose exterior is made of white granite from Hallowell, Maine, and Westchester marble cut by state prisoners at Sing Sing. Its ground floor was built in a Classical/Romanesque style, the next two floors in a Renaissance Classical style with light, open column work, and the legislative chambers, fourth floor and roof in Victorian-modified Romanesque. The granite structure rises 220 feet (67 m) and is one of eleven U.S. state capitols without a domed roof.
The present Capitol was built between 1867 and 1899, replacing Philip Hooker's first State Capitol, which had been inaugurated in 1812. Three teams of architects led the work: Thomas Fuller (1867–1875), Leopold Eidlitz with Henry Hobson Richardson (1875–1883), and Isaac G. Perry (1883–1899). Rising costs caused repeated conflict in the legislature, and the final cost reached $25 million.
The Million Dollar Staircase displays 77 stone faces of historical figures carved by European artisans, representing important personalities from American and European history. Each face was carved directly into the sandstone of the stairway, with the craftsmen free to choose whom they depicted.
Free guided tours run on weekdays at 10:00, 12:00, and 14:00, starting from the Information Desk at the State Street lobby entrance. The tours last about an hour and lead through the main chambers, staircase, and selected halls within the building.
The fourth floor houses an extensive collection of Civil War battle flags representing different New York State military units that participated in the conflict. The flags are kept in special display cases and show damage from combat, including bullet holes and burn marks.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,327 contributors worldwide.
