What Was There: 481 Washington Avenue

Even unglamorous buildings have a history.
481 Washington Avenue appears to have been built around 1927 by the Unity Spiritualist Temple, replacing a two-story home at that address.

The Temple was formerly (1914-1926) in what was called Washington Hall, at 206 Washington Avenue. That place was also known as Sinzerlings, a popular rendezvous of Albany’s German population. In 1926 the building was sold and became the Minerva Restaurant and an antiques dealer.
(Note: There was another Washington Hall – maybe the same place, actually – at 83 Green Street. In 1858 it was headquarters of the Albany Cornet Band. This whole Washington Hall thing needs further research.)
Back to 481 Washington, which also became known as Washington Hall(s).

By 1940 Unity Spiritualist had gone, and their space was taken over by the Hallenbeck School of the Dance.



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[…] in 1869.” Schreiber and the band were headquartered at 83 Green Street, in a building called Washington Hall. They are found playing all over the […]