The History of Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School
Timeline
1919
1919: A playgroup was founded to help young Columbia families
Marion M. Crampton (Tully), whose husband was a noted zoologist at Columbia University, begin a playgroup for young academic families with a $100 gift from Kate Butler (La Montagne), whose husband, Nicholas Murray Butler, was the President of Columbia University. The first playgroup had 10 children in attendance.
1922
1922: The playgroup got a new home and a new name-The Greenhouse Playgroup
The Greenhouse Playgroup moved into a greenhouse behind Johnson Hall.
1929
1929: Life inside the Greenhouse was filled with play
The program expanded to serve more children. Now, there were morning classes for two- and three-year olds and afternoon classes for four through seven year olds.
1940
1940: Classic tools of early childhood including, blocks, paint and song were found inside the greenhouse
The Greenhouse of today still shares much in common with these early days inside the greenhouse of yesterday.
1950
1950: The Columbia Greenhouse Playgroup Parent Organization was founded
After serving for 32 years as the director of the playgroup, Mrs. Crampton stepped down. The Columbia Greenhouse Playgroup Parent Organization assumed responsibility.
1952
1952: Carrie Cheek came on as the school’s first professional director
The parents hired Carrie Cheek, a recent graduate from NYU. She was a fierce advocate for early childhood education. She spoke of progressive ideals like “learning by doing” and providing opportunities for children to “solve their own problems.” These progressive tenants still live and breathe inside the walls of Greenhouse.
1955
1955: Margaret Mead hosted a lecture to benefit Greenhouse
Greenhouse’s history of providing opportunities for grown-ups in our community to learn and connect reaches far back into our past. An article in The Columbia Spectator tells of an evening with Dr. Margaret Mead, Professor of Anthropology. The proceeds from her lecture “Marriage-Savage or Civilized?” benefited Columbia Greenhouse.
1958
1958: Big changes ahead as the Greenhouse changed locations
Plans to build the law school meant significant changes for Greenhouse. In 1958, Columbia moved the nursery school across the street to 424 W. 116th Street.
1959
1959: Loose parts and repurposed materials were in demand, even in the early days!
An excerpt from a School Handbook dated 1959-1960, asks parents to donate items very similar to those that we still ask for today, including bottle caps, jars, boxes, egg cartons, bolts, springs and spools.
1965
1965: Greenhouse expanded again!
Columbia gave us more classroom space! We renovated and took over the large front west room of the 404 W. 116th building.
1965: There is a long-standing tradition of parent involvement at Greenhouse
As far back as 1965, parents were asked to fill out a “Parent Participation Form.” From helping with fund raising to doing light repair work, through the years parents have been active partners in the work of the school.
1977
1977: Lizzy and Arlene started at Greenhouse
Two beloved Greenhouse teachers, Lizzy Soriano and Arlene Carter, began teaching at Greenhouse in 1977. Both women brought their own unique magic to the children and families of Greenhouse for over 34 years!
1978
1978: The first mention of The Spring Fair dates back over 40 years ago
The Spring Fair remains a family favorite! For at least 40 years, the children and families of Greenhouse have taken over 116th Street on the first Saturday of May and made life-long memories of fun, food, and friendship.
1980
1980: The Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School Board of Trustees was formed
A Provisional Charter was granted to the newly formed Board of Trustees of The Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School. In 1983, Greenhouse was granted an Absolute Charter.
1984
1984: Maia’s Playground was complete!
A newly renovated outdoor play space right next door to 404 was dedicated to Maia Scherrer, a past Greenhouse director.
1989
1989: We grew some more!
This time we added the space that is now known as the office, coffee room and Explorers class.
1994
1994: We celebrated our 75 years with a party
Carrie Cheek, Greenhouse’s first professional director, returned to help Greenhouse celebrate its 75 years of dedication and commitment to young children and families. In addition to Carrie’s return, Perri Klass, Greenhouse alum, pediatrician and author also spoke at the celebration.
1995
1995: The Big Yard was born
The lovely sand yard, known as Maia’s Playground was replaced by Warren Hall. The Law School offered us outdoor space to create our current elevated play ground, known as The Big Yard. And we added the front east room to our current space in 404.
1998
1998: Frisky, the bunny, lived a long and happy life as the Greenhouse pet
Through the years, our classrooms have been filled with furry and not-so-furry friends like guinea pigs, hamsters, bunnies, stick bugs, frogs and tarantulas! Frisky was a long-time favorite. Greenhouse children have engaged with the complete cycle of responsibility of taking care of another living creature.
2004
2004: Greenhouse hosted a Comedy Night Fundraiser!
To kick-off Greenhouse’s 85th year, comedy star (and Greenhouse parent) Greg Giraldo headlined a special benefit performance. Other comedians that performed that night included Lewis Black, Judy Gold, Jim Gaffigan, Dave Attel, Darrel Hammond and Tom Papa.
2005
2005: The Parent Association began
After a strategic planning period, the Board of Trustees changed its structure. Part of the change was to create the Parent Association. Through the years, the PA has sponsored many events, raised funds and fostered a true sense of community amongst parents.
2006
2006: Through the years our ties to Columbia have stayed strong
In keeping with our long-standing affiliation with Columbia University, the Office of Work/Life began to serve as our primary liaison to the University in 2006.
2007
2007: Teachers visit Reggio Emilia, Italy
Four teachers, Paula Doerfel, Lizzy Soriano, Margaret Williams and Arlene Carter attended a study group in Reggio Emilia, Italy where they learned about the Reggio approach and visited some of the iconic schools in the town. They returned inspired! And shared that inspiration with their colleagues, children and families.
2011
2011: Vera’s 25th Year at Greenhouse
Vera Elumn, our long-time Administrator, was honored for her 25 years of service to Greenhouse. Vera continued to work at Greenhouse until 2019 when she retired. Her stead-fast presence and dedication is deeply woven into the community.
2014
2014: Envisioning a different kind of Small Yard
We filled our outdoor space behind 424 (known lovingly as the Small Yard) with natural materials like sticks, stumps and rocks. The addition of the mud kitchen opened up even more possibilities for children to interact and explore elements of the natural world like mud, water and ice.
2019
2019: 100 years of Greenhouse!
The entire Greenhouse community will gather together on February 1, 2020 to celebrate and honor the 100 year long legacy of Columbia Greenhouse.