Education Center Campaign

Artist’s rendering of education center by Albany County artist Sara Pruiksma

The Albany County Historical Association is honored to announce we are in the final stages of our Education Center and Capital Campaign for growth of our museum to serve our community and visitors.

We have raised over 80% of the needed funds for our Education Center, which will be reconstructed on the site and in the form of the historic 18th c. Ten Broeck Carriage House and 19th c. Olcott Family Greenhouse. The total project cost is $1.9 million.

While the exterior will have the original historic appearance, including dovecote and a windvane, the interior will have fully-accessible modern exhibit spaces to interpret Albany County history, program education space for our 100% free family programs, classroom space, and a working greenhouse to help us grow and overwinter historic plant varieties used in the famed Ten Broeck gardens.

Join us in being a part of this important project, the most significant capital project in our 75 years as a museum!  Please contact us to learn more about naming opportunities.



Your tax-deductible gift of any amount is greatly appreciated. The ACHA is a 501(c)3 non-profit museum.  Please consult your tax and legal advisors for information on how charitable gifts affect your taxes.  Donations are made to the ACHA in support of and to meet the terms of the National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant and other ACHA capital campaign fundraising.  The Albany County Historical Associate is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  EIN number is 14-6048668. 

More about our Education Center Capital Campaign:

NYSCA Executive Director Mara Manus said, “We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for this fifth year of significant capital funding. This investment affirms the pivotal role the arts and culture play in our state’s economic prosperity. A round of applause to the Albany County Historical Association – your transformative project will ensure that our vibrant arts and cultural anchors continue to grow and thrive.”

Capital Campaign donor Douglas W. Olcott, Ph.D. shares “As a descendant of Thomas Worth Olcott, I am pleased to support the rebuilding of the greenhouse that my ancestor installed in the garden.  I am excited that it will be part of a new Education Center for the benefit of the local community.”

The ACHA’s Executive Director Kathryn Kosto shares “we are excited to move forward with this project, which has been a long-held dream of the ACHA, and arises from several key studies.  As our programming and visitation have expanded, we need space to welcome all and tell the richly diverse – and oftentimes complex – story of Albany County more fully and to reach new audiences.”

Funding made possible in part with generous donations from:

  • Anonymous Challenge Grant
  • Donors to the 2023 “Raise the Roof” Gala
  • New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the ACHA’s Education Center
  • National Endowment for the Humanities Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grant
  • Albany County American Rescue Plan Act Award (for grounds restoration and exhibit)
  • City of Albany American Rescue Plan Act Award (for community access project)
  • Special thanks to Ken Mortensen, Capital Campaign Chair, and the ACHA Board of Trustees for their commitment to 100% participation in the campaign.