Exhibition on View
State Street Tunnel, Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York
Since the Capitol opened its doors to New York Lawmakers and the public in 1879, countless dignitaries, emissaries, celebrities, and political giants have shared the stage with Governors and Presidents, promoted and defended political causes in its grand assembly rooms and chambers, or have been celebrated for their contributions. Whether in serving diplomacy, activism, or advocacy, our historic Capitol will continue to be a place where Star Power can be seen and thus, effect change.
Al Sharpton
Reverend Al Sharpton, left, and Senator David Paterson address protestors in the Capitol, January 13, 1988
(Jack Madigan/Times Union Archive)
Andy Cohen
Producer and surrogacy advocate Andy Cohen holds up a photo of his son at the Capitol, June 11, 2019
(Will Waldron/Times Union Archive)
Bill Clinton
Former United States President Bill Clinton speaks in the New York State Senate chamber, December 19, 2016
(Image courtesy of The New York State Senate)
Bob Hope
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)
Cassius Clay
Cassius Clay testifies at the Joint Legislative Committee on professional Boxing in New York State, 1963
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama addresses the New York State Senate, May 6, 2009
(Image courtesy of The New York State Senate)
Darryl Strawberry
Former Major League Baseball star Darryl Strawberry speaks in Albany, New York, May 11, 2010
(Image courtesy of The New York State Senate)
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte with a photo of Martin Luther King Jr. at the State Museum in Albany January 15, 1985
(Skip Dickstein/Times Union Archive)
Harry Chapin
Harry Chapin performs at the Harvest of Music Festival, Empire State Plaza, October 13, 1980
(Skip Dickstein/Times Union Archive)
Jackie Robinson
Baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson (left) with Governor Rockefeller, February 8, 1966
(Image courtesy of the New York State Archives)
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda looks through camera to check out settings during filming of "Rollover," April 07, 1981
(Skip Dickstein/Times Union Archive)
Jerry Stiller
Kitty Carlisle Hart, comedian Jerry Stiller, and actors Celeste Holm and Tony Randall, pleading with state legislators to not cut funding for the arts, March 08, 1995
(Luanne M. Ferris/Times Union Archive)
Jesse Jackson
Reverend Jesse Jackson greets people as he walks along the Empire State Concourse, February 17, 1987
(Tom LaPoint/Times Union Archive)
John Kennedy
Democratic presidential candidate John Kennedy addresses a crowd from the steps of the state capitol, 1960
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Kitty Carlisle Hart
Governor Hugh Carey and Kitty Carlisle Hart sing a duet during the I Love New York Festival at the South Mall in Albany, October 09, 1977
(Tom LaPoint/Times Union Archive)
Malcolm X
Malcolm X peers over the railing of the Assembly Chamber gallery as Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller addresses a joint session of the New York Legislature, January 6, 1965
(Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Mark Ruffalo and Pete Seeger
Actor Mark Ruffalo, left, cheers on folk singer and activist Pete Seeger during a news conference calling on the state legislature to pass a moratorium on "fracking" at the State Capitol, Tuesday July 20, 2010
(John Carl D'Annibale/Times Union Archive)
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, left, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., center, and Mayor Erastus Corning II, right, meet at the Capitol June 16, 1961
(Times Union Archive)
Martin Luther King, Sr.
Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. gives the benediction at Governor Hugh L. Carey's second inauguration, January 1, 1979
(Image courtesy of The New York State Archives)
Princess Beatrix
Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands arrives in Albany with Mayor Erastus Corning II during her royal visit in Sept. 19, 1959
(Times Union Archive)
Richard E. Byrd
Franklin D. Roosevelt presents the Medal of Valor to Admiral Richard E. Byrd, New York, June 24, 1930
(Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum)
Richard Nixon
President Richard Nixon, left, wife Pat, center, and Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, right, wave to supporters during a Nixon campaign in 1968
(Image courtesy of the New York State Archives)
Robert F. Kennedy
Senator Robert F. Kennedy visits the Capitol. September 19, 1964
(Times Union Archive)
Rosie Perez, Christine Andreas and Celeste Holm
Actress Rosie Perez with singer Christine Andreas and Celeste Holm, during a hearing on state arts funding, March 21, 2000
(Times Union Archive)
Winston Churchill
Former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, left, chats with Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, right, at the Executive Mansion March 13, 1946
(Times Union Archive)
Thank You
The exhibition Star Power would not have been possible without the generous help and support of the following: