Its history that’s still standing. The building at 48 Hudson Avenue is the oldest building in Albany, dating back to 1728.

"It's a Dutch-style building. There are only two of them left in the entire city, which was built by the Dutch in the 1620s," said Cara Macri, director of preservation services for the Historic Albany Foundation.

The building is a piece of America’s Dutch history, showcasing early Dutch framing and construction that was prevalent in and around Albany from the mid-17th century until around the close of the French and Indian War in 1763.

The Albany Foundation is restoring the historic home while keeping its treasured foundation. The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded $500,000 to the Historic Albany Foundation to help restore the building.

"You realize that this house was built before George Washington was born. It has a whole new meaning on old. You have Columbus coming, you've got the Mayflower and the Pilgrims, and a hundred years later, you've got this house being built," said Macri.

Albany Alderman Johannes Van Ostrande built the home in 1728. He and his wife had 14 children, five of whom were born in the house. It then had many owners, transforming into a leather goods business, restaurant supply and was eventually acquired by the foundation in 2013 to make sure the building and all its stories wouldn’t be torn down.

The house is a tangible link to one of the country’s earliest urban settlements.

"So it was here when Benjamin Franklin presented the Albany Plan of Union, which kind of became our Constitution and the basis of our country. It was first presented here around the corner. So this house heard all of that and saw all of this happening," said Macri.

The final phase of renovations is set to begin this summer and wrap by the end of next year. The newly renovated space will be the new home for the Historic Albany Foundation and will open to the public as a meeting space.

Macri says while she is excited to see the building come back to life, the process of rediscovering all that it has to offer is the best part.

“It’s not one fact that’s the coolest, just what’s still left in it," said Macri.