Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- The Kenmore Hotel was built in 1878 by Adam Blake, Jr. (born 1830). Blake was the son of Adam Blake, Sr., a gentleman enslaved by Stephen Van Rensselaer III until 1811. Blake’s hotel was a success, and he managed it until his death in 1881. His widow, Catherine, then managed the hotel until selling the business in 1887. In the 1940s, the Kenmore Hotel became famous for its nightclub, the Rain-bo Room, where jazz greats such as Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway once played, and gangster “Legs” Diamond was a frequent visitor. The Kenmore Hotel building was renovated into an office building in 1986; its primary tenant being the Healthcare Association of New York State. In 2019, the building was renovated into elegant apartments. This collection contains correspondence, clippings, and advertisements related to the entertainment provided by the Kenmore Hotel.
- Extent:
- 1 .5 Hollinger box
- Language:
- English
Background
- Scope and Content:
This collection consists primarily of correspondence relating to the entertainment provided by the Kenmore Hotel, with some clippings, advertisements, and telegrams included as well.
- Biographical / Historical:
The Kenmore Hotel was built at 74 North Pearl Street, in Albany, New York, in 1878. It was the culmination of a lifelong dream for Adam Blake, Jr., (1830-1881) whose father, Adam Blake, Sr. (1773-1864), had been enslaved by Stephen Van Rensselaer III until 1811.
Following Blake’s death in 1881, his widow, Catherine Benjamin Blake (1841-1931) managed the hotel until she sold it in 1887.
The Kenmore Hotel became famous for its Rain-Bo Room, a nightclub in the hotel. Jazz singers such as Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway performed there. Gangster Jack “Legs” Diamond (1897-1931) was a frequent visitor as well.
The building was turned into office spaces in 1986, with the Healthcare Association of New York State as its major tenant until 1999. After changing hands a few more times, in 2019 the Kenmore Hotel was converted into luxury apartments.
Indexed Terms
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Albany Institute of History & Art without any additional restrictions.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the Albany Institute of History & Art Library will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Archivist/Librarian.
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
- BEFORE YOU VISIT:
- https://www.albanyinstitute.org/library.html
- CONTACT:
-
mccombsd@albanyInstitute.org