Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the opening of a new exhibit, “Star Power,” in the State Street tunnel that connects the New York State Capitol to the Empire State Plaza’s concourse level. The display features images of celebrities and other prominent people photographed in and around the State Capitol while advocating for their political causes or being celebrated for their contributions.

“Whether advocating for civil rights and environmental causes or rallying supporters during a presidential campaign stop, celebrities and politicians with star power have had an influential role in the State’s political scene since the Capitol opened its doors to the public in 1879,” Commissioner Moy said. “This fascinating and enlightening new exhibit makes great use of a well-traveled entrance to the Capitol by placing a spotlight on some of the countless well-known faces that have been photographed while visiting the seat of government in New York State.”

The “Star Power” exhibit features approximately 25 photographs of dignitaries, emissaries, celebrities, and political giants who have shared the stage with governors and presidents, promoted and defended political causes in the Capitol’s grand assembly rooms and chambers, or were applauded for their accomplishments.

“Star Power” replaces the exhibit “Historic Postcards of New York” in the State Street tunnel.

With photographs of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill speaking with Governor Thomas E. Dewey in the 1940s, professional boxer and activist Mohammad Ali addressing the Joint Legislative Committee on Professional Boxing taken in the 1960s, comedian Bob Hope trading one-liners with Governor Hugh L. Carey in the 1970s, and actor Mark Ruffalo and folk singer and activist Pete Seeger advocating for a moratorium on natural gas fracking in 2010, the exhibit provides a nearly 90-year visual history of star power in Albany.

Actress and activist Jane Fonda, President Richard Nixon and his wife Pat, actress Rosie Perez, President Bill Clinton, and the Dalai Lama are among other influential visitors to Albany who are featured in exhibit photos.

During Governor Nelson Rockefeller’s administration, which spanned the tumultuous 1960s, Albany became a magnet for star power. In one image featured in the exhibit from that decade, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is seen meeting with Governor Rockefeller and Albany Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd. In another, Rockefeller appears before microphones with an athlete celebrated for breaking the color barrier in baseball, Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson. Also from this decade is a photo showing Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X listening to Rockefeller addressing a joint session of the New York State Legislature.

Also included in the exhibit from the 1960s are photos of two prominent members of the Kennedy family. In one, presidential candidate John F. Kennedy is shown speaking to a crowd from the steps of the Capitol. In the year that followed JFK’s 1963 assassination in Dallas, his younger brother Robert F. Kennedy was photographed outside the Capitol in Albany while campaigning to represent New York State in the U.S. Senate.

The Office of General Services would like to thank the Times Union and acknowledge the efforts of Photo Editor Will Waldron and Senior Editor for Engagement Tena Tyler, who made photos from the Times Union’s archive available for the exhibit.

For more information about ongoing exhibits, upcoming events, and visiting the New York State Capitol, please visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov.

Images Attached: 

• Dalai Lama addresses the New York State Senate, May 6, 2009 (Image courtesy of The New York State Senate).
• Governor Hugh L. Carey and comedian Bob Hope trade one-liners in the Executive Chamber, June 24, 1977 (Image courtesy of the New York State Archives).