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
1929
1940
1950
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
1959
1965
1977
1978
1980
1984
1989
1994
1994: We celebrated our 75 years with a party
1995
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!
2005
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
2014
2014: Envisioning a different kind of Small Yard
2019