Places near me Random place
All the United States New York State New York City Troy 'House of Aldus'
AO Edited

'House of Aldus'

This stained glass window designed by Tiffany Studios is hidden behind the circulation desk of a public library.

Troy, New York

'House of Aldus'   Preservation League of NYS (Atlas Obscura User)
The library stacks with glass block floors.   Preservation League of NYS (Atlas Obscura User)
The library circulation desk.   Preservation League of NYS (Atlas Obscura User)
The reading room with stained glass windows and skylights.   Preservation League of NYS (Atlas Obscura User)
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Troy Public Library in Troy, New York was designed in the style of an Italian Renaissance Palazzo and boasts many original features including tile floors in the lobby, glass block floors in the stacks, and intricate stained glass windows, and skylights. 

However, the true jewel of the space is the stained glass window nestled behind the lobby circulation desk. Designed by Frederick Wilson from Tiffany Studios, the window depicts Venetian master printer Aldus Manutius, who famously printed secular texts that were widely available and inexpensive. A fitting theme for a library.

When you visit, tell the clerk you're there to see the window and they will probably dim the lights for you so you can see the stained glass in all its glory. 

Related Tags

Libraries Stained Glass Windows Art History

Know Before You Go

Library Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm. Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Community Contributors

Published

July 22, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Related Places

  • Stained-glass window depicting Washington at prayer.

    King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

    Washington Memorial Chapel

    An eccentric priest's tribute to George Washington, this chapel tells the story of the American Revolution.

  • The Pink Mosque.

    Shiraz, Iran

    Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

    A spectacular rainbow of stained glass makes the "Pink Mosque" one of the most beautiful in Iran.

  • Reanimation Library.

    Brooklyn, New York

    Reanimation Library

    Obscure and obsolete publications are given new life as works of art.

  • View into the reading room.

    Austin, Texas

    The Harry Ransom Center

    The upstairs reading room is packed with millions of rare books, literary manuscripts, and historical treasures.

  • Another one of the windows

    Manchester Township, New Jersey

    Cathedral of the Air

    Beautiful stained glass depictions of the history of human flight fill this surprising chapel.

  • The Purcell-Cutts House, designed and built in 1913 by William Gray Purcell and George Grant Elmslie.

    Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Purcell-Cutts House

    A notable example of Prairie School architecture that disregarded Victorian concepts about room divisions and featured a long, narrow floor plan.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads

Become a Member