The Rensselaer City History Research Center has research materials about the City of Rensselaer, as well as the Villages of Bath-on-the Hudson, Greenbush, East Albany, and Rensselaerswyck.  There are city and county histories, maps, city directories, school yearbooks, published materials on the van Rensselaer family, books on Colonial history and New York State, books on American Indians, Dutch families, and other items related to the city.  There are records from the Greenbush Masonic Lodge, Odd Fellow records (1848-1980), Benjamin Akin (Aikin) papers( 1790s-1860s), photographs, newspaper clippings files, Thatcher Family papers, school items( 1813-present), firemen and fire departments,  newspapers, political materials, Eastland Park Improvement Association files, railroad material, government activities, Rensselaer Mother's Club, business records (including materials from C. B. Stewart Durg Store, 1909-1915), newspapers, copies of church records, genealogy items, and other items. Much of the material is on loan from the City of Rensselaer Historical Society. All items must be used in the room and can not leave the building.  The Rensselaer City History Research Center is located on the second floor of the Rensselaer City Hall. 62 Wahington St., Rensselaer, NY 12144 and is open during City Hall hours or by appointment. Additional materials in the form of donations or loans are very much welcomed.  We are especially interested in obtaining copies of Rensselaer (Greenbush, Bath ) newspapers, records of Rensselaer organizations and its people.