N.Y.S. Senate Curatorial Resources

New York State Senate Timeline

Text Sources: 

David M. Ellis, et al., A History of New York State, (Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1967);


David Zdunczyk, 200 Years of the New York State Legislature (Albany Institute of History and Art, 1978);


C.R. Roseberry, Capitol Story, (New York State Office of General Services, 1982);


New York State Legislature, 100 Questions and Answers About the New York State Legislature, (Albany, New York State Legislature, 1976);


Peter J. Galie, Ordered Liberty: A Constitutional History of New York (New York: Fordham University Press, 1996);


Peter J. Galie, The New York State Constitution: A Reference Guide (Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1991);


The New York State Assembly: an Historical Perspective (Albany: New York State Assembly, 1987);


Paul Grondahl, "Raising the Roof," The Times Union (Albany, New York) 9 Dec. 2001: G1;


"Prelude to Revolution," 2 May 2002 <http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-prel.htm>


"Conflict and Revolution," 3 May 2002 <http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/revwar.htm>;


"New Amsterdam becomes New York: The Beginning of English Rule," 2 May 2002 <http://www.bart.edu/cp/171/4.htm;


"The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001: Andros, Sir Edmund," 2 May 2002 
<http://www.bartleby.com/65/an/Andros-E.html>;


"The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001: Nicolls, Richard," 2 May 2002 <http://www.bartleby.com/65/ni/Nicolls.html>;


"The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001: Tryon, William," 3 May 2002 <http://www.bartleby.com/65/tr/Tryon-Wi.html>;


"The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001: Jay, John," 3 May 2002 <http://www.bartleby.com/65/ja/Jay-John.html>;


"The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001: Clinton, George, colonial governor of New York," 2 May 2002
<http://www.bartleby.com/65/cl/ClintonG.html>;


"The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001: Intolerable Acts," 2 May 2002 <http://www.bartleby.com/65/in/Intolera.html>;


"The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001: New York, state, United States," 2 May 2002 <http://www.bartleby.com/65/ne/NewYorkSt.html>;


"War of 1812," 8 May 02 <http://www.multied.com/1812/Index.html;


"The Declaration of Independence," 21 Feb. 2002 <http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/declaration/call.htm>;


"America at War," 22 Feb. 2002 <http://www.semo.net/suburb/dlswoff/amrev.html>;


"Timelines of the Great Depression," 2 Apr. 2002 <http://www.korpios.org/resurgent/Timeline.htm>;


"America Over There in WWI," 1 Apr. 2002 <http://history.acusd.edu/gen/text/versaillestreaty/overthere.html>;


"The Cold War Begins," 1 Apr. 2002 <http://history.acusd.edu/gen/20th/coldwar1.html>;


"Why is Korea Called 'The Forgotten War?'," 1 Apr. 2002 <http://www.koreanwar.net/why.htm;


"The History Place presents The Vietnam War," 1 Apr. 2002 <http://www/historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/>;


"Frontline: The Gulf War Chronology," 1 Apr. 2002 <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gulf/cron/>
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"The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment Frequently Asked Questions," 8 Nov. 2002

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http://www.acphs.edu/AlumniAndFriends/ContactUs.aspx

David Zdunczyk
Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement OB 109
(o) 518.694.7251
(cell) 518.857.6926
(fax) 518.694.7316

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New  York State Senate

Paul Grondahl, "Elevators back to historic heights," The Times Union (Albany, NY) 9 Dec. 2001: G4.

The Governor's Reception Room: The William deLeftwich Dodge Murals, (New York State Office of General Services, 2001);

David Zdunczyk; Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002).

C.R. Roseberry, Capitol Story, (New York State Office of General Services, 1982);

New York State Office of General Services Tour Guide, New York State Capitol Building in Albany, New York, Public Tour, 24 Sept. 2001.

Elizabeth Benjamin, "Grand staircase again awash in light," The Times Union (Albany, NY) 9 Aug. 2002:A1;

Shirin Parsavand, "Light shines again on Capitol carvings," Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) 9 Aug. 2002: A1;

http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/06/0915061.

New York State Office of General Services. Assembly Sign at Staircase. New York State Capitol, Albany, New York, 2002.

The New York State Assembly: An Historical Perspective (Albany: New York State Assembly, 1987);

The New York State Senate Chamber (New York State Senate, 2002);

Welcome to the Senate (New York State Senate, August 1999);

"Curatorial and Tour Services: The New York State Capitol Tour Program," 24 Apr. 2002

http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/curatorial/capitol/arrange.asp

Sorry.
This URL has been excluded from the Wayback Machine.




The Capitol Elevators were installed in 1911, after the catastrophic fire that almost destroyed the building. These elevators are operated manually by staff that open the heavy wrought iron inner doors many times during each shift. The walls and outer doors are bronze and the floors are marble.


An effort is now underway to upgrade these older elevators. The remodeled elevators on the Senate side of the Capitol feature lighter, glass-encased aluminum inner doors and the original light fixtures which were located and reinstalled. Many years of dirt and grime have been cleaned away, revealing the shiny bronze. The remaining Capitol elevators will receive the same restorative treatment in coming years.
Text Source: Paul Grondahl, "Elevators back to historic heights," The Times Union (Albany, NY) 9 Dec. 2001: G4.
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services.



West Entrance Lobby


The West Entrance Lobby opens onto the West Capitol Park and allows access to the Great Western Staircase known as the Million Dollar Staircase. This grand space, with its tall columns and ornate chandeliers, is used periodically for exhibits. While this area is not accessible from the park at this time, visitors can gain entrance to the lobby from within the Capitol itself.
Text Sources: Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002).
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services

East Entrance Lobby

The East Entrance Lobby was built to be the formal entrance to the Capitol. The doors to this lobby are located at the top of the magnificent 77-step staircase at the front of the building. Because this entrance to the Capitol is not as convenient as the Washington Avenue and State Street lobbies, visitors can only gain entrance to the lobby from within the Capitol itself. Today the East Entrance Lobby serves as an excellent exhibition area, displaying some of the state's extensive flag collection.

The Governor's Reception Room

The Governor's Reception Room is located just past the Flag Room and contains the beautiful Dodge murals, which were commissioned by the State in October of 1920. William deLeftwich Dodge painted the militarily-themed murals in five years. There are 25 paintings in all. On the vaulted ceiling, in the center of the murals, is "The Goddess of Harmony" and "The Spirit of New York." She is surrounded by pictures of the reigning governing bodies of early New York history. The outer ring of murals depict the military history of the State from its colonial days through World War I. Some of the paintings are painted on the plaster, while others are on canvases which are attached to the wall. Matching plaster ornaments and moldings can also be seen.

At the time the murals were commissioned from Dodge, the State planned to remove the floor of the room once the artwork was completed so that it could be seen from a distance of about 40 feet. The floor, however, was never taken out, and current visitors now have the opportunity to see this extraordinary artwork "close-up" as well as lounge on the original Mission style oak furniture, which was manufactured by State prison inmates and New York State-based companies in the early 1900's.

Text Sources: The Governor's Reception Room: The William deLeftwich Dodge Murals, (New York State Office of General Services, 2001); Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002).
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services.

Central Courtyard

The Central Courtyard was originally designed by architect Thomas Fuller, but it was finished by Leopold Eidlitz, the designer of the Assembly Chamber. Since the courtyard was planned in the days of gas lamps and fireplaces, its initial purpose was to allow fresh air and light into the Capitol. Interesting to note, the sides of this outdoor courtyard are distinctly different from the walls on the outside of the Capitol. Ornamentation includes carved coats-of-arms and arabesque carving.

Although the Central Courtyard can be seen from each floor of the Capitol, it is primarily accessible from the first floor. Presently this area is not open to the public.

Text Sources: C.R. Roseberry, Capitol Story, (New York State Office of General Services, 1982); Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002); New York State Office of General Services Tour Guide, New York State Capitol Building in Albany, New York, Public Tour, 24 Sept. 2001.
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services.

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Great Western Staircase

The Great Western Staircase, also known as the "Million Dollar Staircase," was designed by architect Isaac Perry and took 13 years to complete.This staircase, made of Corsehill freestone from Scotland, is 119 feet high with a 3000 square foot skylight at the top.
To complete this complex staircase, 600 stone carvers were employed to carve the structure by hand. There are approximately 77 famous faces carved into the pillars. Among those are: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Christopher Columbus, Walt Whitman, Susan B. Anthony and Clara Barton.

Once all the famous faces were carved, the stone carvers were then allowed to carve faces of anyone they chose, including friends, family members and people off the street. These less famous faces are known as the "Capitol Unknowns." Along with faces, many animals, birds and fruits were carved into the banisters of the staircase.

Over time, the staircase was altered. The Capitol fire in 1911 left th masonry soiled and darkened by soot. During World War II the skylight was covered to protect the building from possible air raids. After 60 years of darkness, the skylight was uncovered in August of 2002, and in September of 2006 the cleaning of the staircase masonry was completed. The pictures above show the domed glass laylight above the staircase. This laylight is then covered by an angled skylight on the Capitol roof.

Text Source: C.R. Roseberry, Capitol Story, (New York State Office of General Services, 1982);
Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002);
New York State Office of General Services Tour Guide, New York State Capitol Building in Albany, New York, Public Tour, 24 Sept. 2001;
Elizabeth Benjamin, "Grand staircase again awash in light," The Times Union (Albany, NY) 9 Aug. 2002:A1;
Shirin Parsavand, "Light shines again on Capitol carvings," Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) 9 Aug. 2002: A1; http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/06/0915061.

Photo Sources: Senate Technology Services.




Senate Staircase

The Senate staircase, sometimes known as the "Evolutionary Staircase," is constructed of a red-colored sandstone, called Corsehill sandstone, which is from Scotland. This type of stone was chosen since it was soft when first quarried and allowed the carvers to cut the stone, instead of hammering it. After being exposed to air, the stone slowly hardened.
Much of the carving carries the theme of evolution; a newly introduced and very controversial topic at that point in history. At the bottom of the staircase, very simple creatures are carved. These gain in complexity as the stairs progress to the top. One of the distinguishing features of the Senate staircase is a nine-foot wheel, called a rose window.
The staircase was begun in 1883 and completed in 1885. Leopold Eidlitz designed the staircase which was built by Isaac Perry.
Text Sources: C.R. Roseberry, Capitol Story, (New York State Office of General Services, 1982); Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002).
Photo Sources: Senate Technology Services




Assembly Staircase


The Assembly staircase was the first in the Capitol to be completed. It opened, as did the Assembly Chamber, on January 7, 1879. Originally designed by Leopold Eidlitz, the carved sandstone staircase was topped by a skylight and accented with beautifully stenciled walls, created by Emanuel Mickel. In the 1940's, the skylight was covered to create more office space, and over the years, the stencils were covered with many layers of paint. Eventually, the paint covering the stenciling was removed and the stencil design was reproduced, partially restoring the staircase to its original beauty.

Text Source: New York State Office of General Services. Assembly Sign at Staircase. New York State Capitol, Albany, New York, 2002.
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services.

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Assembly Lobby

The Assembly Lobby serves as the entryway to the Assembly Chamber and is one of many beautiful areas originally designed for the State Assembly. The original Gothic style vaulted ceiling still remains in place.
Text Source: Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002).
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services.



Assembly Chamber
On January 7, 1879, "At precisely 11:00 o'clock the gavel fell upon the Speaker's desk and Lieutenant Governor Dorsheimer intoned: 'The Senate has escorted the Assembly from the old capitol to the new one; and now in this presence, I declare the chambers formally transferred to the Legislature. The Senate will now retire to its own room.'"(Excerpt taken from The New York State Assembly: An Historical Perspective.)
Known as the "People's House," the Assembly Chamber was designed by American architect Leopold Eidlitz and made its debut as the first major space to be occupied in the Capitol, on January 7, 1879. At the time its magnificent construction included a vast masonry Gothic-arch vaulted ceiling.




It rose to a height of 56 feet above the floor and was known as the widest stone-spanned interior arch ever made. In less than 10 years the ceiling had structural problems causing Assembly members to seek safety when pieces of the ceiling began falling on their desks. With the construction of a new ceiling, the contractor substituted oak panels with cost-cutting papier-mâché material not authorized by the legislature. Discovery of the substitution caused much controversy. Twenty-two years later, in 1911, a fire tore through the Capitol,
causing destruction to everything in its path. Ironically, the fire's progress was slowed by the Assembly's papier-mâché ceiling panels, which absorbed the water from the fire fighter's hoses and saved the Capitol from total ruin.

Today, the Assembly Chamber is the single largest room in the New York State Capitol. 150 members are divided into districts, with seating arranged on a semi-circled tiered floor, allowing an unobstructed view of the Speaker's rostrum. Annually 2,000 bills and resolutions are voted on in this chamber. A wall-mounted electronic voting board allows members to cast their vote on a bill within seconds. It is from this chamber that about 2,000 people gather to view the Governor's State of the State address.
Text Sources:
The New York State Assembly: An Historical Perspective (Albany: New York State Assembly, 1987);
C.R. Roseberry, Capitol Story, (New York State Office of General Services, 1982);
David Zdunczyk; Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002);
New York State Office of General Services Tour Guide, New York State Capitol Building in Albany, New York, Public Tour, 24 Sept. 2001.
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services.


Senate Lobby
Serving as the entryway to the Senate Chamber, the Senate lobby is a welcoming area of magnificent beauty. Designed by Leopold Eidlitz, it features elegant gothic arches and columns. Historical paintings and statues enrich the area, along with custom tile and lounge chairs. Enhancing the beauty are chandeliers that are replicas of the original gas fixtures, along with a stately grandfather clock, designed by the American architect Henry H. Richardson and which is a double of the grandfather clock located in the Senate Chamber.

Opulent iron, bronze and brass gates adorn antechambers — meeting places for Senators — which are located to the left and right of the lobby. Designed by metalsmith Albert Paley of Rochester, New York, these gates are moveable by the touch of a hand, yet they weigh six tons, with each individual leaf weighing 3,000 pounds. The combined skills of seven men were needed for an entire year to create these uniquely sculptured gates.
From the lobbies, five hand-carved mahogany doors lead into the Senate Chamber. Presently, three of the five doors are replicas, while the Lieutenant Governor's and the Secretary of the Senate's office doors remain original.

Text Source: The New York State Senate Chamber (New York State Senate, 2002);
Welcome to the Senate (New York State Senate, August 1999);
The Senate Gates (New York State Senate, 2002); "Curatorial and Tour Services: The New York State Capitol Tour Program," 24 Apr. 2002 <http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/curatorial/capitol/arrange.asp>
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services.

Senate Chamber

"On March 10, 1881, Assembly members escorted Senate members to their chamber in the Capitol. Once there, Lieutenant Governor George G. Hoskins said of the Senate Chamber 'for permanence, beauty and pleasing effect, I believe its superior cannot be found on this continent, or even in the wide world.' " (Excerpt taken from Capitol Story)


Designed by American architect Henry H. Richardson and completed in 1881, the Senate Chamber is almost square, measuring approximately 60 by 55 feet in floor space. The original, hand-carved oak ceiling is over 50 feet high and has a recessed design that makes the room almost acoustically perfect. The walls directly beneath the ceiling were originally covered with carved red mahogany and red Spanish leather from Spain, but the leather was eventually replaced with 23 karat gold leaf, embossed with the same pattern as the leather. Other materials in the chamber were imported from around the world; these include:

• Black onyx for the wall panels came from Mexico;
• Sienna marble for the archways in the galleries came from Italy;
• Red polished granite for the pillars came from Scotland; and
• Mahogany for the furniture came from the Caribbean.


The Senate Chamber displays a stained glass replica of the state seal, houses a grandfather clock designed by Mr. Richardson, and features massive granite fireplaces.


When these beautiful fireplaces were no longer needed for heating purposes, they were used to hold discreet conferences by Senators who wished to escape the perfect acoustics of the great room without leaving it. For this reason, they were nicknamed the "Whispering Fireplaces."

Between 1978 and 1980, the Senate Chamber was restored, for the most part, to its original 1881 appearance. At the conclusion of the Senate Chamber's restoration, the State Capitol was declared a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior.

Today, the Senate Chamber accommodates 62 senators.

Text Sources: C.R. Roseberry, Capitol Story, (New York State Office of General Services, 1982);
The New York State Senate Chamber (New York State Senate, 2002);
The New York State Capitol, (State of New York and The New York State Office of General Services, circa 1973);
Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002):
Photo Sources: Senate Office of Communications; Senate Technology Services.


Legislative Library
The Legislative Library is the direct result of the great fire that swept through the Capitol on March 28, 1911. The space it occupies was formerly the state library. After the fire the state library was moved to the Education Building and the reconstructed space, as it appears here, was converted into the Legislative library, combining the former Senate and Assembly libraries.



This beautiful room, unlike the rest of the mostly granite and sandstone Capitol, is made of marble.The frieze murals near the ceiling were painted by Will H. Low.
This library is closed to the public, however most of the information here is also avaliable at the New York State Library.
Text Source: Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002);
C.R. Roseberry, Capitol Story, (New York State Office of General Services, 1982).
Photo Sources: Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002); Senate Technology Services.



Senate Gallery





An observation gallery is located on each side of the Senate Chamber. These galleries provide raised seating that allows the viewing of Senate proceedings and the lawmaking process. Here, the same magnificent detailed stone carvings and arches of American architect Henry H. Richardson continue from the Senate Chamber. Visitors may notice incomplete carvings on the walls in this area. This unfinished work is in memory of Architect Richardson who died before the carvings in the galleries could be completed.
Text Source: The New York State Senate Chamber (New York State Senate, 2002); Welcome to the Senate (New York State Senate, August 1999); "Curatorial and Tour Services: The New York State Capitol Tour Program," 24 Apr. 2002 <http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/curatorial/capitol/arrange.asp>
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services.


Assembly Gallery



Located above the Assembly Chamber for viewing purposes, the Assembly Galleries were originally designed to separate men and women spectators. These areas were altered extensively when the Assembly Chamber ceiling was replaced. Today, the Assembly Gallery provides the public the opportunity to view the Assembly while in session.

Text Source: Visitor's Guide to the New York State Capitol (The New York State Office of General Services and The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, 2002).
Photo Source: Senate Technology Services.