Milne Hall mural of Schuyler Hamiltom courtship by DC Lithgow

Painted scenes from Albany's history

Milne Hall mural Schuyler Hamilton courtship DC Lithgow

Here's a larger view, if you'd like to look closer.

A bonus track from the post about the Rezone Albany downtown UAlbany neighborhood public event: We took a few minutes during Monday's session in Milne Hall 200 to take in the murals that circle the room. And they're worth a look if you ever have the chance.

Here's a UAlbany library page with images and descriptions of each of the murals.

The murals were created by artist David Cunningham Lithgow in 1935 and they each depict a scene from Albany's history (with one exception), among them Henry Hudson's arrival, the signing of the Dongan Charter, and -- as you can see in the pic above -- the courtship of Elizabeth Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton.

Lithgow made the murals for what was then The Milne School, a sort of experimental high school at which students in the New York State College for Teachers could teach. Milne 200 served as the library for the high school program. (The program had a long run, ending in 1977.)

Over the years, the murals started to show the effects of decades in a room that wasn't climate controlled. And in 2003 a four-year, more-than-$100k effort to the restore the murals started.

As it happens, you've almost certainly seen other work by David Cunningham Lithgow, who was born in Scotland in 1868 and emigrated to the United States at age 20, later moving to Albany and opening a studio here. He painted murals in buildings around the Albany area, including the ceiling of the Smith Building. He also designed the figure atop the Spanish-American War memorial in Albany's Townsend Park -- on which his name is misspelled.

Comments

I

Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine