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 its a fantastic way to share
that history with others, says Albany Institutes 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 Institutes
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 Ellsworths 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 Albanys 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 Kennedys 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 Yorks 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.