The History of Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School
Timeline
This time we added the space that is now known as the office, coffee room and Explorers class.
A newly renovated outdoor play space right next door to 404 was dedicated to Maia Scherrer, a past Greenhouse director.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Columbia gave us more classroom space! We renovated and took over the large front west room of the 404 W. 116th building.
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.
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.
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.