Places of Interest in Schenectady, New York

Schenectady, New York, located in the same metropolitan area as Albany, New York, hosts a number of exciting and significant landmarks. According to the official Schenectady, New York website, the area that is currently Schenectady County was settled in 1661 by Dutch settlers, so the area has a remarkably long and brilliant history for a city in the relatively young United States. As the ninth largest city in New York, with a population of just under 62,000, Schenectady is a modern gem that still allows Americans to glimpse the past.

One major spot of interest is Proctor's Theater, which currently serves as an arts center. This historic marvel was built in 1926, and the theater helped Schenectady make history as one of the first locations to have public demonstrations of television. The image was projected from a GE plant about a mile away. The theater now hosts several live attractions, as well as other artistic exhibits. The theater also houses a Wurlitzer pipe organ named "Goldie".

The Schenectady Museum and Suits-Bueche Planetarium cater to the interests of individuals of all ages. The museum features several exhibits in the scientific department, but the available exhibits tend to cover a fairly unique range of topics. For example, the museum is currently hosting exhibits on the science of baseball, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, and the roles of chemistry in everyday life. The museum is usually open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10AM to 5PM. Entrance to the museum is relatively inexpensive, but does not include the cost of exploring the planetarium. On the other hand, the still inexpensive entrance fee to the planetarium does include admission to the main museum.

Union College, which consists of the oldest planned college campus in the United States and the second oldest college overall, is located in Schenectady. The college was founded in 1795, and several of the historic landmarks in the city belong to the college. Nott Memorial, built in 1858 and dedicated to former Union president Eliphalet Nott, is a 16-sided building that is easily one of the most recognizable landmarks in Schenectady.

The city of Schenectady features two major historic neighborhoods. The first is the Stockade Historic District, which was designated as New York's first National Register historic district in 1965. This area contains dozens of English and Dutch colonial houses that date back to the 1700s. The other historic neighborhood, the General Electric Realty Plot, was built by General Electric executives in the early 1900s. The GE Realty Plot plays a significant role in Schenectady history since General Electric was established in 1892 with its headquarters in Schenectady. Therefore, the early history of the General Electric company was closely tied to the city of Schenectady, and the General Electric Realty Plot is just another example of the closely bound history.

Schenectady, New York has a proud history of settlement, technological advances, and preserved wonders. This historic city contributes its many treasures to the overall beauty and wonder of that particular region of the state. Schenectady provides historical marvels, scientific discoveries, and other activities to please several generations. This city is a must-see for anyone traveling in the area.