The World of James Knapp is the culmination of a two-year collaboration of cultural and heritage partners, scholars, and artists seeking to “unpack” the story of one man who lived in Albany during the second half of the nineteenth century.

William James Knapp (1843-1885) – “James,” as he liked to be called–was a musician, piano tuner, and music store clerk, a butler, porter, and nurse, a brother, son, friend, a member of Albany’s Black community, a resident of Cherry Hill, and a descendant of a woman once enslaved there. 

James lived during the Gilded Age—a period that has shaped the imagination of Americans for decades with its emerging skyscrapers, Robber Barons, and the tensions that arose when old and new money met. It was an age shaped by the devastation of The Civil War and the concentration of industrial might in Northern ports. Much is known about “New Money” families like the Vanderbilts who left opulent mansions and volumes of papers behind and “Old Money” locals like the Van Rensselaers whose generations of belongings were preserved in stately old homes like Cherry Hill—but how many voices of “everyday” people have been effectively silenced because they are not represented in the historical record? 

James Knapp is a remarkable exception. His papers and belongings are preserved at Historic Cherry Hill, offering us an incredible window into the life of a Black man living in Albany, New York, during the Gilded Age.

Born in 1843, he lived through the Fugitive Slave Act, the Civil War, emancipation in secessionist states, Reconstruction, and unprecedented economic growth and immigration into New York State and Albany. James bore witness to an Albany shaped by industrial growth and immigration. His personal effects and letters tell us about a man who sought live a rich, full life, navigating the obstacles of a racist, classist society and making the most of his inherent talents and the resources he acquired. 

The World of James Knapp showcases the work of local Black artists responding to the story of James’s life. The artists went “above and beyond,” creating art pieces that incorporate the struggle and resilience that served as a cornerstone of James Knapp’s life. As a Black man living in 19th-century Albany, James’s lived experiences shaped the way that he viewed and responded to the social and racial attitudes of the era. The artists’ interpretations of this complicated reality, coupled with our modern worldviews, created ample opportunities for interpretations. We are deeply grateful for the artists’ hard work and beautiful interpretations.

The World of James Knapp was created in a collaboration between Historic Cherry Hill, The Underground Railroad Education Center, and Albany Barn. An exhibition of original art and historical artifacts in historic spaces, The World of James Knapp will encompass three venues: Historic Cherry Hill, the Pommer, and the Underground Railroad Education Center at the Myers’ Residence. The art will be exhibited at the three sites from May – September 2025. For information about the artists, venues, and related programming, please check out our website.

This program was made possible through grants from Advance Albany County Alliance, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Endowment for the Arts.