New York State Capitol competition drawings and construction photographs, 1866-1870

Collection context

Creator:
Burger, Louis, Haines, E. S. M, (Photographer), Latham, Obadiah B, New York State Capitol (Albany, N.Y.), Adams & Worthen, Fuller & Gilman, Schulze & Schoen, Fuller & Laver, New York (State). Capitol Commission, and Haines & Wickes
Extent:
39 items
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

Included in this collection are nineteen albumen photographs and one lithographic print of architectural drawings submitted by architects for the competition to design the New York State Capitol building in Albany, circa 1866-1870. Competing architects and architectural firms represented here include Adams & Worthen, Louis Burger, Fuller & Gilman, Fuller & Laver, Schulze & Schoen, and several unidentified architects. Of note are drawings for the New York State Capitol by Louis Burger and Schulze & Schoen bearing inscriptions to Obadiah B. Latham, a member of the Capitol Commission. Also included are nine photographs showing construction in progress on the Capitol between July and September, 1869. Photographs of competition drawings by Schulze & Schoen for the Iowa Capitol, the New York Post Office, and the New York Life Insurance Company Building, as well as an unsigned drawing of the Ohio Capitol building are additionally part of this collection. Several of the images are labeled by the photographer E.S.M. Haines, also practicing as Haines & Wickes, in Albany, New York.

Nearly all competition drawings show a three-quarter view emphasizing the main entrance on the east façade , which faces the Hudson River and is the loftiest part pf the building. The land rises as one proceeds along the north and south sides to the west façade.

Biographical / historical:

Adams & Worthen, architects and engineers, N.Y.C.

Julius W. Adams (fl. 1866- ) and William W. Worthen (fl. 1865- ). Only Worthen is listed in Wilson's New York Business Directory for 1865/1866. In the 1866/1867 volume, they are both listed at 128 Broadway. In Trow's New York Directory for 1867/1868, Adams still appears at 128 Broadway, while Worthen has moved to 482 Broadway. In Wilson's New York Business Directory for 1868/1869, Worthen still appears at 482 Broadway, but Adams is listed at 63 Williams St. Both men are classified as civil engineers in the directories.

Paul Schulze (circa 1827-1897) and Paul F. Schoen (fl. 1866- ).

Neither Schulze nor Schoen appears in Wilson's New York Business Directory for 1865/1866. In the volume for 1866/1867, Paul F. Schoen is listed but not Schulze. In Trow's New York Directory for 1867/1868, both are listed, although not as a partnership, at 88 Wall St. In Wilson's New York Business Directory for 1868/1869, they are listed as partners at 88 Wall St.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish must be obtained in writing from the Director, Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, 1172 Amsterdam Ave., MC 0301, New York, NY 10027.

Preferred citation:

New York State Capitol competition drawings and construction photographs. Dept. of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.

Location of this collection:
300 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers are encouraged to request materials at least one month in advance. You will receive an email from the department within 2-3 business days confirming your request and currently available appointment times. Requests are limited to 8 boxes per day (or equivalent), with a maximum of 5 boxes for off-site materials, 5 folders of drawings, or 5 rolls or tube boxes.
Contact:
avery-drawings@columbia.edu