Company Description
About The Project Built in 1728, the Van Ostrande-Radliff House is one of a handful of Dutch urban buildings to survive in America and is documented to be the oldest building in Albany. This building is an important piece of America’s Dutch history and a rare and tangible link to one of the country’s earliest urban settlements. It demonstrates the type of early Dutch framing and construction that was prevalent in and around Albany, from the mid-seventeenth century until around the close of the French and Indian War in 1763. While some Dutch buildings from this period have been photographically documented, only two Dutch buildings remain in Albany: the Van Ostrande-Radliff House and Quackenbush House, now the Olde English Pub. The Van Ostrande-Radliff House is currently vacant with no heat, no water, limited electricity, plywood exterior walls, and pigeons for tenants. It has no use other than Historic Albany's monthly First Friday tours and special events. Historic Albany is rehabilitating this important structure and taking it from vacant and hidden to actively used and shining for the world to see.Historic Albany is restoring the exterior of the original Dutch house so it appears as it did in 1728 when constructed, as well as rehabilitating the industrial additions so they can be used once more.Once complete, Historic Albany will be a tenant in the building, housing the Architectural Parts Warehouse, the Capital Region's beloved salvage shop, HAF's administrative office, and a classroom space for Historic Albany's full schedule of educational programming including: lectures, DIY workshops making art, decor, and furniture out of architectural salvage, DIY restoration activity workshops, the annual Restoration Faire. It will also house a satellite of their Tool Lending Library.
