Presented by Adirondack Architectural Heritage | Click here for more info and a link to register

In this exclusive evening reception at the Albany Institute of History & Art, we will explore threads that have linked Albany and the Adirondacks for over a century. Guests will gather in the Albany Institute’s Rice House, a stately home designed by Richard Morris Hunt and constructed in 1894. The home’s original occupants, William Gorham Rice and Harriet Pruyn Rice were related to the Pruyn family, who built Camp Santanoni in Newcomb. The Albany Institute’s extensive collections documenting Upper Hudson Valley life and culture includes the Pruyn family papers, which guests will have the opportunity to peruse.

Today, the Albany Institute continues developing their research and collections through the Albany African American History Project, which shines a light on the Black experience in Albany from 1650 through today. At this event, we will also explore the connections between Black history in Albany and the Adirondacks.

In addition to enjoying beverages and hors d’oeuvres while hearing from Institute historians and curators about their collections and research, guests have the option to arrive early for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Institute’s collections at 4:00 pm.

Speakers will include W. Douglas McCombs, PhD, interim executive director and chief curator, and Lacey Wilson, public historian.

The fee is $25 for members of AARCH, the Albany Institute, Preservation League of NYS, and/or Historic Albany Foundation and $35 for non-members, including refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.