Historic Albany Foundation Opened Restored Headquarters

The city has unveiled the revitalized Van Ostrande-Radliff House, an 18th-century structure saved from decay.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Historical

Screen-print poster illustration of a historic 18th-century Dutch brick building with a steeply pitched roof, evoking local heritage in Albany. — The Historic Albany Foundation has completed the restoration of the 1728 Van Ostrande-Radliff House, now serving as a community preservation center. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Historic Albany Foundation has officially opened its new headquarters at the restored Van Ostrande-Radliff House. This 1728 property now serves as a community center for preservation and education.

Why it matters

Restoration of the site preserves one of the citys few remaining Dutch urban buildings. The project ensures this historical structure remains an active, functional space for the local community.

The 23 by 33-foot house stands as one of only two surviving Dutch urban structures in Albany. The extensive preservation project spanned 13 years to stabilize the historic timber framing.

The players

Historic Albany Foundation

This local organization is dedicated to protecting and promoting the preservation of Albanys historic architectural heritage.

The details

Workers stabilized the house by installing new foundation walls and reconstructing the front facade with authentic Dutch-dimension brick. The roof was also lowered to reflect its original architectural proportions.

The Van Ostrande-Radliff House was built in 1728.
The Saul family purchased the property in 1935.
The Historic Albany Foundation acquired the building by donation in 2013.
The foundation unveiled the restored headquarters on Tuesday.

Culture Shift

The project marks a significant effort to shift public appreciation toward the tangible preservation of early colonial architecture. This trend reflects a growing societal push to maintain historical identity against modern urban redevelopment.

Residents can now visit the restored house to engage with educational programs and community events hosted by the foundation. The site serves as a new cultural resource that provides the public with a direct look at the citys 18th-century building traditions.

The takeaway

This restoration demonstrates that long-term community dedication can successfully save historic structures from deterioration. Visitors should appreciate the specialized labor required to maintain such rare architectural examples in a modern city.