Varied History: The Capital Region in 50 Objects

By Ronisha Williams

“Every object tells a story, if you know how to read it,” is the first thing you see when you step onto the third floor of the Albany Institute of History and Art to visit one of their current exhibitions, “The Capital Region in 50 Objects”. The Henry Ford quote is on a map highlighting the four counties, Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga showing the distinctive history that each county holds to make up the Capital Region.

“The Capital Region in 50 Objects” was planned in partnership with the Times Union over three years ago when surveys were sent to nearly sixty museums and cultural organizations and Times Union readers. The surveys asked questions such as: how did the capital region get its identity and what events, people, and things represent its character?

Over three years was well spent on outreach and collaborative efforts with different historical societies and business entities handpicking on what would go in the exhibition. “The exhibition represents the voice of our region– how all of us who live and work here see our own history and identity. And it’s a fantastic way to share that history with others,” says Albany Institute’s Chief Curator Doug McCombs.

The idea for this exhibition was modeled by a similar feature in the New York Times titled “A History of New York in 50 Objects.” According to Albany Institute’s Executive Director Tammis Groft, “we wanted to use this very approachable format and organize an exhibition where people could come and see selected objects in person.”

Only knowing that the objects will be historically representative of Albany one would expect to see a plethora of time-honored documents and traditional, war themed artifacts, but there is a diverse range of objects and accompanied images that tell the fascinating story of the Capital Region. There is some significant war relics like Colonel Elmer Ellsworth’s gray double-breasted frock coat from the Civil War which has a wide bullet hole in the chest from when he was shot through the heart while removing a flying confederate flag, becoming the first union officer killed in the war. However, there is also a huge butterfly sculpture made of stainless steel that represents the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and their efforts to conserve the ecosystem by artists Matt Hart and Chip Fasciana.

In addition, there is a crown and cape from the first announcement of Tulip Queen from Albany’s famous annual Tulip Festival, The Adirondacks painting by James M. Hart from the Hudson River School, a General Electric monitor-top refrigerator made in Schenectady, NY dated from 1930, Williams Kennedy’s typewriter, and a statue of Nipper, the dog, who has become a landmark as he sits perched on a roof at 991 Broadway in Downtown Albany. With every object there is also an image and short description of how it depicts the four counties allowing the audience to determine and eventually agree on why it is important part of this regions history.

Some people who view the entire exhibit may be more critical and suggest that important events/objects failed to be mentioned and should have, however the capital region population had plenty of time to fill out surveys and voice their opinion on their experiences and what they value in the Capital Region.

As a student that has been living in Albany for almost five years, I learned more than anticipated after visiting this exhibit. I am not from here, been to Rensselaer and Schenectady a couple of times but other than that I have no idea what all the different regions have to offer or what their history has been. This exhibition where I am currently attending school encapsulates what I should know about the Capital Region in an interesting and modern way. The “50 objects” allowed me to be more appreciative of Albany and view it not just as a college town but what many consider home. A new perspective of New York’s capital was refreshing to have and something I never knew I wanted.

The exhibit opened September 19 and will run through April 3, 2016. Prices for admission are half off until Saturday, November 21, 2015 while the institute is under construction preparing for new exhibitions. Student admission is only $4, normally $8, with valid student identification. On Thursdays, admission is free for everyone during their extended hours, 5pm-8pm.

Photos by Ronisha Williams

Nipper is the first of fifty objects you see in the exhibition.

The first Tulip Ball during Tulip Festival was in 1949 where Tulip Queen was given this crown.

JATO (jet-assisted take off) Rockets are used to help aircrafts obtain flying speed when used on ice. In the exhibit, this one signifies the cold weather mission of the New York air National Guard 109th airlift wing.