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Executive Mansion
138 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12202
The Executive Mansion was constructed around 1856 as a private residence by Thomas Olcott of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank. He was the son of Thomas W. Olcott, who owned the Ten Broeck Mansion. The Italianate-style Olcott house had a gabled roof, an impressive wrap-around porch and elaborate wooden detailing.
Since the state did not provide its governors with an official residence, Gov. Samuel Tilden rented this house from Robert L. Johnson, who had purchased the house from Olcott. Johnson remodeled it in the 1860s in the then-fashionable Second Empire style, adding a mansard roof with dormers, an impressive tower, large porches on either side and a stone entrance portico.
In 1877, under Gov. Lucius Robinson, the state purchased the property from Johnson for use as the Executive Mansion. Isaac G. Perry, hired in 1883 to complete work on the new Capitol, was commissioned to overhaul and expand the mansion in 1886. He completely changed its appearance, adding Queen Anne details.
