Harmanus Bleecker (1779-1849) [Section 3, Lot 61]
U.S. Minister to the Netherlands, U.S. House of Representatives, Trustee to Albany Academy, member of University of the State of New York Board of Regents, Dutch scholar and preservationist, philanthropist
Harmanus Bleecker was born on October 9, 1779, the son of Jacob Bleecker, a merchant, and Elizabeth Wendell. He is the great-great-grandson of Jan Jansen Bleecker, one of the original settlers of Beverwyck, a successful fur trader, and a former Mayor of Albany. Bleecker studied in law in Albany, being admitted to the New York State Bar in 1801 at the age of 22. He set up a law firm in Albany known at Bleecker & Sedgewick, which was known statewide in the early 19th century.
Bleecker became involved in politics, being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1811 as a Federalist for one term. Back in New York, he continued his law practice and served in the Assembly from 1814 – 1815. While in office he worked with Governor Tompkins regarding the funding of troops during the War of 1812, though he opposed the war.
Bleecker was involved in many civic and business venture around Albany and the state. He served as a Trustee for the Erie Canal and the Champlain Canal. In 1827 he assisted as one of the Commissioners who negotiated the boundary lines between New York and New Jersey. As an abolitionist, he vocalized his support in ending slavery and was a member of the American Colonization Society which was an early advocate of the Back-to-Africa movement. In 1839 Bleecker served as an original board member for Albany City Hospital, present-day Albany Medical Center. He served on the board of directors of Albany’s Mechanics and Farmers’ Bank as was a member of the New York State Board of Regents.
Coming from a long line of Dutch-American ancestors, he was taught the language and history of New Amsterdam and the Netherlands. It was his passion “to keep alive in Albany the memory of Dutch customs” and was responsible for the preservation of the St. Nicholas Benevolent Society, descendants of early New York inhabitants which preserves the historical and genealogical records of English and Dutch, ruled New York. He had a close friendship with fellow Dutch heritage enthusiast, Martin Van Buren, who appointed him U.S. Minister to the Netherlands, which he served from 1837 – 1842. While in this position he met his wife Cornelia Metz and married in 1841 at the age of 62.
Bleecker died July 19, 1849. Following his death, Cornellia moved back to the Netherlands and passed away in 1885. The remainder of his estate was bequeathed to the City of Albany. The funds went to the construction of two buildings, first was Harmanus Bleecker Hall located on Washington Avenue next to the Armory. This young men’s association housed a theatre and library, but in 1919 it was sold and became known as Proctor’s Harmanus Theatre. The second was the city’s first public library located at Washington and Dove Street. Known as Harmanus Bleecker Library, is currently used for offices and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The site of the former Harmanus Bleeker Hall is now the location for the flagship branch of the Albany Public Library.