Did You Know: THESE U.S. Presidents Have Weird Ties To New York’s Capital Region

As the Capital of New York State, obviously Albany has deep ties to the United States. From being one of the earliest settlements to becoming a leader in the industrial revolution, Albany and the surrounding cities are a major player in American history.

As such, many U.S. presidents have been through the Capital Region, and left their influence in odd and surprising ways.

19th Century Presidents

Two notable names made their mark on Albany in the mid-to-late 19th century. The first of which was the 13th President of the United States, Millard Fillmore. Fillmore was not a rich man, and after his presidency, needed to find a home. Luck just so happened to be in his favor, when he met and married Caroline Carmichael, who just so happened to have inherited the famous Schuyler Mansion. The two were married in the exact same parlor that Alexander Hamilton had married in just a few decades prior.

On the other hand of 19th century presidents, was Abraham Lincoln. While Lincoln was displayed at the Capitol Building after his assassination in 1865, just five years earlier he passed through Albany on his way to Washington. Along the path, his train passed by Stanwix Hall, which was coincidentally where his future assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was living at the time.

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The Roosevelts

Both of America's Roosevelt presidents have ties to Albany, with Theodore "Teddy" having arguably the funniest. Teddy started out as the 33rd Governor of the state, and would prepare for his days by running up and down the 77 steps at the entrance to the Capitol building. He famously held the rule that, if a reporter wanted an interview, all they had to do was beat him to the top of the steps.

Teddy's fifth cousin, Franklin D., also had quite a connection to New York's Capital Region. He would become the 44th Governor of the state and spend a considerable amount of his time in Albany. After polio paralyzed him, several changes were made to the Capitol building, including a secret doorway to the Governor's office that allowed him move through the building while confined to his wheelchair.