Thom Hanford

In 1967, Schenectady County purchased the Van Curler Hotel and named it as the site for SUNY Schenectady County Community College. The hotel was renovated and reopened as the main campus building in 1969 and was renamed Elston Hall. Elston Hall is a beautiful Classical Revival style building, which was originally financed in part by General Electric. Since that time, SCCC has gone through a series of expansions, and now offers classes in state-of-the-art facilities at the main campus and throughout the area, including at Center City in downtown Schenectady and the Mill Lane Artisan District. The campus is adjacent to a beautiful trail along the Mohawk River. Students and city residents use the trails and parks, and the park and trails are an area favorite for kayakers, anglers, and sunset-watchers.