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Downtown in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

200th Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington

 
 
200th Anniversary of Birth of George Washington Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, May 30, 2008
1. 200th Anniversary of Birth of George Washington Marker
Inscription.
By his faith in God and man he built our nation
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. It 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
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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.

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 the North Atlantic Region, 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 are within walking distance of this marker: George Washington (here, next to 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. State Education Building (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
 
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,
George Washington Statue image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 19, 2008
2. George Washington Statue
The marker is in the lower left of the photo.
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
 
200th Anniversary of Birth of George Washington Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, May 30, 2008
3. 200th Anniversary of Birth of George Washington Marker
Bronze Sculpture of George Washington upon a base of granite.
Bronze Statue of George Washington image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, May 30, 2008
4. Bronze Statue of George Washington
The Alred E. Smith New York State building is in the background across South Swan Street from this Statue. The black automobile in the photo is on South Swan Street
 
 
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 3,582 times since then and 36 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.
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Jun. 11, 2026