State Capitol Fire of March 29, 1911 Commemorated

Betty Little

March 29, 2011

     State Capitol Fire of 1911 Commemorated – Senator Betty Little and Assemblyman Jack McEneny are pictured at the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 100th year anniversary of the New York State Capitol fire.  On March 29, 1911, the fast moving fire destroyed much of the State Library, at the time the nation’s fifth largest, resulting in an unprecedented loss of New York’s intellectual, cultural and historic property.  The fire also claimed the life of night watchman and Civil War veteran Samuel Abbot.  Little, a member of the State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, spoke at the event on the west side of the Capitol Building in Albany.