The New York State Executive Mansion, located at 138 Eagle Street in Albany, stands as a testament to New York’s political heritage and architectural evolution. Constructed in 1856 in the Italianate style for banker Thomas Olcott, the mansion underwent significant renovations in the 1860s under its second owner, Robert L. Johnson, who introduced Second Empire-style elements, including a Mansard roof and a corner tower. In 1875, Governor Samuel Tilden became the first to reside in the house, and the state purchased it two years later, making it the official residence of New York’s governors. Over the years, the mansion has been home to 32 governors, including future U.S. Presidents Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The mansion’s history is rich with symbolic additions reflecting the state’s leadership. Theodore Roosevelt had a gymnasium constructed during his stay, Franklin D. Roosevelt installed a swimming pool in 1932, and Governor Al Smith added a zoo. In the early 1980s, the Executive Mansion Preservation Society was established to coordinate restoration efforts, and in 2009, the mansion earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, becoming the first governor’s residence in the country to achieve this status using the LEED for Existing Buildings rating system.
Guided tours of the mansion are available by reservation only, offered on Thursdays at 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00 p.m. from September through June, with a minimum of two weeks’ advance notice required. Tours are not offered during July and August. The mansion is located at 138 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12202. For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact (518) 474-2418
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