State Education Building Tours being offered to the public for the first time

Starting on August 12, the State Education Building will be offering free tours on the second Saturday of each month. This is the first time the building has been made available for regular public tours since the State Museum and Library were moved from the Education Building to the Cultural Education Center in the 1970s.

The New York State Education Building was designed by renowned New York City architect, Henry Hornbostel, one of 63 architects to submit plans, and was constructed by the Rochester firm R. T. Ford and Company. Construction began in 1908 and the building was dedicated in 1912. At the time, the cost to construct the building amounted to approximately $4 million and covered everything from the purchase of the land to building construction. The Education Building was the first major building constructed in the United States solely as a headquarters for the administration of education. In addition to State Education Department staff, the Education Building originally housed the State Library and State Museum—now currently in the Cultural Education Center.

New York State Museum staff will lead the 45-minute Education Building tour, and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the historic Chancellors Hall, Regents Room and the Rotunda adorned with murals by Albany native Will H. Low. Tours will be offered at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Each of the tours can accommodate 25 people and reservations are required. Reservations can be made at: www.empirestateplaza.org.

The State Education Building is located at 89 Washington Avenue, Albany.