New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Albany Public Library

Stereoscopes: Bringing The World To Your Parlor

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The World in Your Parlor: The StereoscopeIn the 19th century the new art of photography changed how people viewed the world. Now they did not have to make long, dangerous, and expensive journeys to learn about faraway lands – photography could take you there. Meanwhile, the development of 3D stereoscopes, together with photography, would create an “immersive experience” which even families of modest means could enjoy.

The stereoscope with its photographic view cards would introduce people to scenes from around the world. [Read more…] about Stereoscopes: Bringing The World To Your Parlor

Urban Renewal In The Pruyn Collection of Albany History

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xfn00032Albany Public Library joined New York Heritage, a statewide digital library, in the spring of 2014 to raise awareness of its collections. The library’s Pruyn Collection of Albany History is a treasure trove of information about the leaders, citizens, buildings, governments, events, and history of New York’s capital city. The collection includes documents about urban renewal, the South Mall construction, city and state government, and African American history.

Albany Public Library’s digital collection on New York Heritage contains a small sample of our local history holdings. The full Pruyn Collection includes thousands of books, photographs, city directories, newspapers, documents, census records, city council minutes, maps, and more. We invite you to visit the Pruyn Collection of Albany History, which is housed at Albany Public Library’s Main Library at 161 Washington Avenue. [Read more…] about Urban Renewal In The Pruyn Collection of Albany History