Located along the Hudson River in New York, Troy was a major center for the industrial revolution in the 1800's. It was the home of the detachable shirt collar, stove manufacturers, textile mills, stagecoach and carriage builders, breweries, bell manufacturers, iron and steel centers, and more. Even Samuel Wilson, better known as Uncle Sam, lived and worked in Troy during this time. Wood frame, terra cotta, brownstone, and brick houses line the streets of the city. Queen Anne, Mansard, Beaux Arts, Romanesque, Italianate, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, and other kinds of buildings can be seen everywhere in Troy.
Restoration is an ongoing event here.
In fact, a section of downtown has received an impressive collection of art galleries and boutique shops. Their research library is open, at no charge, to the public. Located in the lower level of the building, the visitor's center contains many displays with information on the Troy, Albany, Cohoes area, including industrial artifacts. There is an impressive slide show on the region, utilizing multiple slide projectors. The visitor's center has many brochures covering local points of interest.