The seminary was in existence from the late 18th century to 1900, when the building that housed it was leased to the Lansingburgh School District.

The Academy offered such an advanced program of study that students were able to enter college as sophomores after graduating.

Ebenezer D. Maltbie was in charge of the Academy when author Herman Melville graduated with a degree in surveying and engineering.

Chester A. Arthur, future President of the United States, taught a course in 'Elements of Law' when he resided in Lansingburgh.

On May 27, 1911, the lease expired and the trustees sold the Academy building to the Lansingburgh School District.

The Council soon put together a proposal for the rehabilitation and restoration of the old Lansingburgh Academy so it could be used as an expanded branch of the Troy Public Library, and as a neighborhood arts center.

After only five months, the collection had doubled in size and the library had to expand, so it moved from the second floor of the school to the first.

In 1952, the library was moved from the two front rooms to the rear of the building with the entrance on Fourth Avenue.