Hotel Van Curler

Hotel Van Curler. State University of New York Schenectady. , Today, it is the proud home of SUNY Schenectady, but the former Hotel Van Curler once welcomed famous performers and corporate travelers. Inside, you'll still find the marble pillars and terrazzo of the hotels first floor reception space (now the Mohawk Room) and ballroom (now the Van Curler Room). Both continue a long tradition of hosting community events., Named after Arendt Van Curler, founder of Schenectady, the hotel was built in 1925 as the first and tallest structure in a "civic pride" campaign. At that time, booming business and the opening of the Barge Canal along the nearby Mohawk River made Schenectady the fastest growing city in New York State., By the late 1960s, newer hotels, growing suburbs, expansion of General Electric's locations and changing economic conditions led to the closing o the hotel. Rescued by Schenectady County, the Van Curler was renovated opening as a community college in 1969. Today, students study culinary arts, aviation, technology, music and many other programs here., [Right Side Inset] , Hotel Van Curler's Georgian Revival style was conceived by H.L. Steven and Company. Built in just 12 months, the hotel charged $2.50 to $4.50 a night in 1925 to stay in one of 200 rooms or suites., [Lower Right Inset] , The Van Curler was publicly funded by citizens as part of a "civic pride" campaign, with American Locomotive Company and General Electric covering $300,000 of the $700,000 construction cost. - National Register of Historic Places Inventory Form, [Left Inset] , At its grand opening, a Schenectady Chamber of Commerce member called the Hotel Van Curler, "an outstretched hand of hospitality." Many famous guests stayed, including: , Gene Autry . Tommy Dorsey . Amelia Earhardt . Robert Kennedy . Charles Lindburgh . Joe Louis . Ronald Reagan . John Philip Sousa . Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt