Downtown in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Birthplace of Modern Electricity
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 10, 2025
1. Birthplace of Modern Electricity Marker
Birthplace of Modern Electricity. Here discovering magnetic induction, Joseph Henry pioneered the telegraph and electric motor, 1829-31.
Erected 1940 by New York State Education Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine.
Location. 42° 39.152′ N, 73° 45.338′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in Downtown. It is on Washington Ave. (New York State Route 5) west of Eagle Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in Academy Park, across from the New York State Capitol building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albany NY 12210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Capital District. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
this page online
Regarding Birthplace of Modern Electricity. The standard international unit of inductance is the Henry, named after the American scientist who discovered electromagnetic induction at about the same time as Michael Faraday in England, whose name is used for the unit of capacitance, the Farad.
Joseph Henry later became the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, November 10, 2011
2. Birthplace of Modern Electricity Marker
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, September 25, 2006
3. Birthplace of Modern Electricity Marker
An earlier, faded paint scheme on this marker.
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, December 21, 2025
4. Birthplace of Modern Electricity Marker
In the background is the old Albany Academy building designed by architect Philip Hooker. This was where John Henry co-discovered electrical inductance.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 10, 2025
5. Birthplace of Modern Electricity Marker
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, November 10, 2011
6. Birthplace of Modern Electricity Marker
The marker is surrounded by the tents of the Occupy Albany protesters who have set up camp in city-owned Academy Park.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, November 10, 2011
7. Birthplace of Modern Electricity Marker
Acadamy Park and the Birthplace marker beside Washington Ave.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 2, 2013
8. Birthplace of Modern Electricity Marker
The Marker is in Academy Park, which is across Washington Avenue from the New York State capital.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's People Collection
9. Joseph Henry - 1879
First Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 2,484 times since then and 79 times this year. Last updated on October 22, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on June 10, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 2. submitted on December 5, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 3. submitted on October 11, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 4. submitted on December 21, 2025, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. 5. submitted on June 10, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 6, 7. submitted on December 5, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 8. submitted on October 5, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 9. submitted on September 24, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
