Albany Streetcars, Bobsleds & Haunted Mansion Explored in Local History Programs
Albany Public Library celebrates local history with two programs in April—“The History of Albany’s Streetcar System” on April 10 and “Albany Archives: The Full Story” on April 11. Both programs are free and open to the public.
“The History of Albany’s Streetcar System”—set for Tuesday, April 10, at 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Washington Ave. Branch—is presented by Albany City Historian Tony Opalka.
He will discuss the history of Albany’s streetcars and trolleys, which were a major part of the city’s transportation infrastructure between the late 1880s and mid-1940s. Popular streetcar lines ran along Pearl St., Madison Ave., Manning Blvd., Clinton Ave., Broadway, and Delaware Ave. This local history program is offered in partnership with the Historic Albany Foundation.
“Albany Archives: The Full Story”—set for Wednesday, April 11, at 6:30-7:30 pm at the Washington Ave. Branch—is presented by Matt Malette, creator of the @AlbanyArchives Twitter feed and producer of regular Albany Archives segments for Spectrum News.
The program will share the details behind a classic winter sport and an historic mansion. Malette will explore the roots of bobsledding, which many claim was born in Albany in 1885 when bobsled races were held during the city’s winter carnival. He will also look into the LaDow Mansion, an 8,600-square-foot castle-like stone mansion built at the edge of Washington Park in 1891, which some say houses a ghost in the turret.
The “Albany Archives: The Full Story” series will continue in subsequent months with more programs by Malette featuring details about some of the area’s most interesting historical people, places, and events.
Stephanie Simon
Stephanie Simon is manager of APL's Communication and Creative Services Department, which provides content and information for the library's website, social media, publications, videos, podcasts, and other outlets. Stephanie also manages APL's public relations and marketing efforts.