Myers, Stephen and Harriet, House

194 Livingston Ave., Albany, New York. County/parish: Albany.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places November 30, 2004. NRIS 04000999.

1 contributing building.

Also known as:

  • Vigilance Committee Office

From Wikipedia:

Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence

The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence is located on Livingston Avenue in Albany, New York, United States. It is a Greek Revival townhouse built in the mid-19th century. In 2004, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also listed on the New York State Underground Railroad Heritage Trail and is a site on the National Park Service's National Network to Freedom.

Stephen Myers, himself freed from slavery in his youth, served for a time as chairman of the Vigilance Committee of Albany, which met in the house built and owned by an African American boat captain who was his brother-in-law. Stephen and his wife Harriet actively assisted others escaping from slavery for nearly 30 years; he also edited some abolitionist newspapers and spoke with Frederick Douglass at anti-slavery events.

The house was later saved from demolition during urban renewal in the 1970s. It is being restored by the Underground Railroad Education Center, a community-based historical society, with public and private funds.

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National Park Service documentation: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75316281

LC