Troy Public Library
Also known as: Hart Memorial Library
Why it's listed
Troy Public Library, originally the Hart Memorial Library, sits on Second Street in the center of Troy, near Russell Sage College buildings and the county courthouse. Built in 1896-97 and designed by the New York firm of Barney & Chapman, it was commissioned by Mary E. Hart as a gift honoring her husband, William Howard Hart. The two-story building is faced in white Vermont marble, rusticated on the first story and finely dressed above, with carved belt courses, a five-bay arched loggia on the Ferry Street side and a stone parapet. It has been described as one of the finest Italian Renaissance buildings in the country. Inside are marble walls and columns, carved woodwork, ornamental plaster ceilings, a Tiffany Glass Decorating Company memorial window depicting Aldus Manutius, and steel stacks with glass floors. Alterations have been minor. The library as an institution traces back to 1800, which adds to the building's importance.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding landmark in the city's and state's architectural heritage and a fine example of Italian Renaissance style. Its marble, carved woodwork, plaster ceilings and Tiffany memorial window remain largely intact. It also houses one of the city's oldest cultural institutions, a library tradition dating to 1800.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73001258, listed January 17, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 100 2nd St., Troy |
|---|---|
| County | Rensselaer County |
| Listed | January 17, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001258 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1896-97 |
| Architect / builder | Barney & Chapman |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance |
| Areas of significance | Art, Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as a library; condition marked fair, with very few minor alterations. A later note mentions restoration of the roof, balustrade and skylights. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.74618, -73.68263 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73001258.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7846929
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.