Description

Description: These two original late 19th century cabinet photographs feature an interior and exterior shot of the Albany City Curling Club. The interior image shows a large many-windowed room with two icy lanes, a group of people with curling sticks at the far end. The exterior shot shows the façade and side of the one-story building, a large “Albany City Curling Clb.” flag waving from the top of the pediment. There are three men standing in front of the building and a fourth person atop a horse-drawn carriage lingering in the snow out front.

According to the Albany Curling Club’s website: “The Albany Curling Club’s records and artifacts show that the original club, named the Albany City Curling Club, was created in 1861, around the commencement of the American Civil War. It was one of the first curling clubs formed in the Northeastern United States. Members curled outside in a roped off area of Washington park. In 1888 the Albany City Curling Club was playing in a shed-like structure at 507 Washington Avenue. It had windows that could be opened to allow circulation of freezing air to create ice.” These two photos likely depict the shed-like structure at Washington Avenue.

Interior photograph measures: 4 3/8″ x 7 3/4″. Exterior photograph measures: 5″ x 8″ overall. Pencil notes on the versos of the photos read: “Wash. befour Quail St. Pat’s in rear”, “later became a laundry (Young’s?), “Albany City Curling Club Wash Ave and Quail”, “Empire Curling Club Yates St Lake Ave Where?” Item #P00286

Condition: Mount corners of the exterior photograph are worn, some minor staining as well. Interior shot has light wear at corners. Generally, the two photos are in very good condition.