The land historically associated with the building is one of the two acres of
Academy Park, located between Eagle, Elk and Hawk streets. It straddles the boundary with Lafayette Park to the west; it is a
contributing property to
the associated historic district. The terrain rises gently from the
Hudson River a half-mile (800 m) to the east and the ravine of
Sheridan Hollow to the north. The
Albany County Vietnam War memorial is located a short distance to the west. Many other listed properties, most of them also government buildings that contribute to the district, are nearby. Opposite Lafayette Park on Hawk is the monumental
Classical Revival New York State Department of Education Building, with
Cathedral of All Saints, seat of the
Episcopal Diocese of Albany, concealed at the other end of the block. To the southwest, across Washington Avenue (
New York State Route 5), is the
state capitol, a
National Historic Landmark, between East and West Capitol Park. Opposite the park to the east, along Eagle, are the county courthouse, the
New York Court of Appeals building, and
Albany City Hall. A group of
rowhouses, also contributing properties, faces the building from across Elk. On the main block, the basement windows are set with 10-over-10 double-hung
sash windows topped by splayed-stone lintels. Just above them the
water table serves as a base for the six
fluted Ionic
pilasters that rise both stories, forming a
colossal order. On the first story they separate 15-over-15 double-hung sash with a
carved panel in the middle of the lintel.
Stringcourses between the colossal Ionic pilasters separate the first-story windows from their second-story counterparts, also 15-over-15 but arched and set in a slightly recessed double arch. Slight
cornices there form the springline for the arches. The pilasters'
Ionic capitals support a
molded frieze with an
egg-and-dart pattern underneath the
modillioned cornice at the roofline. Above it is a
balustrade. The gently
pitched hipped roof is pierced by two brick chimneys at either end with a copper roofed
cupola in the middle. It has
keystone-arched
louvered vents in its lower stage, separated by pairs of smooth
Corinthian columns. They support a broad overhanging modillioned cornice, above which is a frieze decorated with
swag. Atop the cupola is a flared domed roof with a
weathervane. There are two centrally located entrances on the east. At the top of a pair of sideways stone steps with iron railings is the main entrance, paneled wooden double doors with sidelights and a
fanlight. Narrow fluted pilasters flank the doors; the whole entrance is slightly recessed. Below it is a more restrained basement entrance with paneled doors and sidelights in the stone. In front of it is a statue of
Joseph Henry on a gray
granite pedestal with text explaining his accomplishments. The two wings are more restrained. The first story rather than the basement has the rustication. Its six-over-six double-hung sash is set in slightly recessed arches. The stringcourse, continuous here, separates it from the second story. There, smooth Ionic pilasters divide the bays. It, too, has six-over-six double-hung sash, set in singly arched windows that are otherwise similar to their counterparts on the main block. The balustrade continues along the roof of the wings as well; both have the same pairs of chimneys at the end. ==History==