Downtown in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
200th Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington
Erected in 1932 by the
New York State Commission
for the celebration of the
two hundredth anniversary of the birth of
George Washington
Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor
Hon. Herbert H. Lehman, Lieutenant Governor
Hon. Frank P. Graves, Commissioner of Education
Charles J. Tobin, Chairman Albany, N.Y.
Arthur H. Wicks, Vice - Chairman Kingston, N.Y.
Erected 1932 by New York State Commission For The Celebration Of The Two Hundredth Anniversary Of The Birth Of George Washington.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 42° 39.22′ N, 73° 45.556′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on South Swan Street, on the right when traveling east. Directly across the street from the entrance to the Alfred E. Smith State Office building at 80 South Swan Street. If the statue of Washington was able to lean forward and look down he'd be able to see the marker, though it would be upside down for him. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albany NY 12239, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. New York State Office Building (within shouting distance of this marker); General Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); LaFayette Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln in Albany (approx. 0.2 miles away); Birthplace of Modern Electricity (approx. 0.2 miles away); General Philip Henry Sheridan Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Revolutionary Soldiers Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Main Entrance to Old Capitol (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.
More about this marker. The marker is mounted on a horizontal surface on the base (plinth) which the life size statue of George Washington rests upon.
Regarding 200th Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington. The 6 foot, 7 inch tall bronse sculpture of George Washington stands leaning on a cane in his proper right hand, with his proper left hand resting on a bundle of fasces. (A fasces is a bundle of rods, often with a battle axe, bound together with ribbon. It was a symbol of authority in the Roman Republic. Singly the rods are easily broken, bound together they are unbreakable, signifying strength in unity. Also a bundle of rods by itself indicated that a Roman official had the power to inflict corporal punishment; adding an axe to the bundle of rods implied the power to inflict death as well.) Washington is in the uniform of a Revolutionary officer. A cloak is draped over the fasces and a sword hangs from them. A plow is on the ground behind Washington. The sculpture is mounted on a rectangular base.
The sculpture, dedicated in November of 1932, is a copy of an original 1788 marble made by Jean Antoine Houdon and located in Virginia's state capitol. The bronze copy was installed by the New York State Commission in honor of Washington's 200th birthday anniversary. After the sculpture was installed, a debate ensued over whether the members of the George Washington Bi-Centennial Commission would be allowed to place a plaque with their names on the base.
Additional keywords. New York State Capitol Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 3,233 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 3, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 2. submitted on June 20, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 3, 4. submitted on June 3, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.