Emily Barnes, the Albany statehouse reporter for the USA TODAY Network in New York, has been digging into the role that governors and state lawmakers in Albany played in shaping the nation. Her reporting gained exclusive access to state government archives and artifacts rarely seen by the public, as well as top historians guarding the legacy of a state at the heart of 250 years of American ideals and rights.
We asked her about what she uncovered, and how those secrets of the past could inform what’s ahead for New York and the nation.
What did you find out about New York’s history and past leadership that would potentially surprise New Yorkers today?
Ulysses S. Grant, who was the 18th President of the United States but never part of New York state’s leadership, lay in state inside the state Capitol after his death in Saratoga County in 1885 before his body was transported to Washington D.C.
According to a state historian, it’s unusual for people, even governors, to lay in state in the state Capitol. A plaque commemorating the historic moment can be found on the first floor of the statehouse.
National perceptions of New York today are focused primarily on New York City and its impact on the country. How does that compare to prior eras in terms of the entire state’s place in driving the nation forward?
Two historic elements come to mind: the Erie Canal and the Underground Railroad. Without either of those, New York wouldn’t have become what it is today. The Erie Canal, which was heavily championed by the 6th New York Gov. DeWitt Clinton, built up cities across the state, from Buffalo to Albany, and made New York an industrial and economic powerhouse.
As for the Underground Railroad, it helped New York lead the way in civil rights protections as New York was first in the nation to ban discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, creed and national origin.
What are some of the similarities and differences between the political leaders of New York’s past and those leading the state and nation today?
If a political leader didn’t have connections to the elite in the earlier years of New York’s history, they were often seen as less than. For example, the state’s first and longest serving governor, George Clinton, was said to be resented because he represented the common man. While some of that still lingers, there are many more representatives who pride themselves on coming from more meager backgrounds. Case in point, Gov. Kathy Hochul came from a working-class family in the Buffalo area, and she often cites her upbringing as key to fueling her political career and policies.
What tips do you have for getting the most out of a visit to the New York State Museum, state Archives and Capitol building?
If you’re planning to visit the State Archives Research Room on the 11th floor of the New York State Museum building, make sure you schedule an appointment and know what you’d like to look at ahead of time.
As for the state Capitol building, exploring all three staircases — the Senate, Assembly and Million Dollar Staircase —are a must. A visit to the Legislative Office Building, which you can get to through the bottom floor of the Capitol, should be on your list as well because of how stark the design differences between the two are. And don’t forget to take a walk through the Empire State Plaza, which was designed in part by former New York Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller.
Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers’ taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY state government helped shape American ideals. How we reported it
Reporting by David Robinson, New York State Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By David Robinson, New York State Team | USA TODAY Network
