The statue of Revolutionary War general and New York senator Philip Schuyler will be removed from its downtown Albany location.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, citing Schuyler's ownership of slaves, signed an executive order directing the removal of the statue from its current position in front of City Hall. A press release from the city indicates it will be given to a "museum or other institution for future display with the appropriate historical context."

Schuyler, whose Schuyler Mansion sits on Catherine Street in Albany, was born in Albany in 1733. He was also the father-in-law of founding father and first Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. The press release from the city noted that he was also "reportedly the largest owner of enslaved people in Albany during his time."

“Our Chief Diversity Officer first raised this issue to me last year and we discussed opportunities to engage the community in a conversation about its removal," Sheehan said in a statement. "It has become clear that now is the time to act and confront the unfortunate history of our nation.”

“No one should forget his contributions as a military commander in the Revolution, as an Alderman in our City of Albany, as a member of the Continental Congress, as a New York State Assemblymember and Senator, and as a US Senator," said Albany City Treasurer Darius Shahinfar. "However, we can and will no longer whitewash the fact that his prominence and public service was supported by his ‘ownership’ of the largest number of enslaved people in our region.”