Gallery: Guide to Photographic Collections
Guide to Photographic Collections
The Government Setting
These series contain images of State government office buildings and facilities including the Capitol, the Empire State Plaza, buildings on State University of New York campuses, mental hygiene facilities, and others. Included are construction photographs as well as interior and exterior shots of completed buildings. (In addition to the photographs described here, the Cecil R. Roseberry Papers, held by the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections Unit, contains a large number of photographs of the State Capitol.)
New Capitol Commission.
B0701. Capitol Construction Progress Photographs, ca. 1869-1900. 2 cubic feet
Consists of two volumes of approximately 75 photoprints showing excavation and early construction progress on the present State Capitol. The photoprints are mounted on cardboard and most are 11" x 15" in size. Arranged chronologically.
A1897. Photographs of the New State Capitol During Construction, ca. 1869-1877. .5 cubic foot
Consists of one volume of approximately 40 photoprints taken during the initial stages of construction of the present State Capitol. The photoprints measure approximately 11" x 15" and are mounted on 15" x 20" cardboard. They are identified by date and location and are arranged chronologically.
A1874. Plans of the New State Capitol, ca. 1873. 2.4 cubic feet
Contains architectural plans for the construction of the present State Capitol. There are eight original plans and approximately 100 photographic reproductions of plans mounted on 10" x 14" cardboard. The plans illustrate both interior and exterior views of the Capitol. Arranged roughly by building section.
Temporary State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol.
L0001. Historic Structures Report for the Capitol, ca. 1982. 9 cubic feet
Consists of an unbound copy of the report of the Temporary State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, created to prepare a long range plan for the building's restoration and rehabilitation. Box 22 of the series contains approximately 100 photoprints and plans pertaining to Volume 2 of the report. Included are photoprints showing both historical and more recent views of the exterior and interior of the building from about 1850 to 1982. Unarranged.
Office of General Services.
15727. Empire State Plaza (South Mall) Construction Progress Photographs, ca. 1962-1977. 30.5 cubic feet
Contains approximately 10,000 photographs documenting the construction of the Empire State Plaza from ground breaking to completion. They include everything from aerial views of the entire site to closeup views of construction details. The majority are 8" x 10" b/w photoprints. There are also some 35 mm negatives and color slides. Largely unarranged.
Office of General Services. Public Information Office.
B0638. Galley Proofs of The Executive Mansion in Albany, 1982. 1 cubic foot
Contains approximately 100 photoprints that were included in a 1982 publication, The Executive Mansion in Albany. Included are views of the Mansion's interior and exterior, prints of governors' portraits, and scenes of governors with their families and with visitors to the Mansion.
Department of Law.
A0536. Construction Photographs of the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building Submitted to the Appellate Division, Third Department as Evidence in the Case of Seglin Construction Co., et al. vs. New York, 1927-1928. 0.3 cubic foot
This bound volume contains reproductions of approximately 170 4.5" x 6.5" and 5" x 7" b/w photoprints of the construction of the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building in Albany from ground breaking to completion during 1927 and 1928. The photographs were used as evidence in a legal case involving the construction. Generally two or three prints are reproduced on each page of the volume. The majority are wide views of the construction with no closeup detail provided. Arranged chronologically.
State Education Department.
Division of Science and State Museum.
A3164. Files Relating to the Commissioner's Museum Inquiry Committee and Proposed State Museum Building, 1928-1944, bulk 1930-1934. 1 cubic foot
Includes about 62 b/w photoprints and four negatives, ranging from 3" x 3.5" to 8" x 10", relating to the committee's study of State Museum operations and a proposed "Theodore Roosevelt Memorial State Museum." Photographs show birds, plants, mosses, and insects studied by State Museum staff; downtown Albany, including the State Education Building (which then housed the State Museum), State Capitol, and Alfred E. Smith State Office Building; and general layout plans, plot plans, floor plans, and elevations of the proposed new museum building. Arranged by subject.
New York State Commission on Cultural Resources.
B1056. Photoprints of Mental Hygiene and State University of New York Buildings, ca. 1970. 0.2 cubic foot
Approximately two dozen 8" x 10" b/w photoprints show exteriors of several hospitals and drug treatment facilities operated by the Department of Mental Hygiene and academic buildings on several State University campuses.
