Poppenhusen Institute facts for kids
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Poppenhusen Institute
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| Location | 114-04 14th Rd., College Point, Queens, New York |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1868 |
| Architect | Mundell & Teckritz |
| Architectural style | Stern Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000973 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 18, 1977 |
The Poppenhusen Institute is a historic building located at 114-04 14th Road in College Point, Queens. This special place was home to America's first free kindergarten. It also offered the first free evening classes for adults in the United States. Today, the Institute serves as a busy community cultural center. The building itself is five stories tall and built in a classic, strong Victorian style.
It was recognized as a New York City Landmark in 1970. Later, in 1977, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
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A Look at the Institute's History
The Poppenhusen Institute was built in 1868. It was funded by Conrad Poppenhusen, a generous person who helped develop College Point, New York. On his 50th birthday in 1868, Conrad Poppenhusen gave $100,000 to start this educational project. His hard work and community spirit brought great success to College Point.
The Institute was created to help people learn and improve their lives. It was open to everyone, no matter their background. People could learn skills for better jobs or simply enjoy new hobbies. The Institute focused on vocational training, which means teaching skills for specific jobs. It also taught English and factory crafts. Over time, other languages like French and Spanish were added. More advanced classes, such as drafting and machine shop techniques, were offered for local factory workers.
What You Could Find Inside
The Poppenhusen Institute was home to many important services. It housed the Justice of the Peace and the first College Point Savings Bank. German Singing Societies also met there. It had the area's first library, a court room, and even the Sheriff's Office. You can still see two old jail cells there today!
Most famously, the first free kindergarten in the United States opened here on July 1, 1870. The Institute also helped care for young children under five years old. Even today, the Poppenhusen Institute is known as a trade school. About 400 men and women attend evening classes there each year.
Community and Exhibits
The Poppenhusen Institute also became a place to display historical items from Queens. In May 1962, the College Point Historical Room opened its first anniversary exhibit. It featured "Volunteer Fire Fighting Companies at College Point." Conrad Poppenhusen himself started the Enterprise Engine Company Two in 1861. This group later became the Enterprise Hose Company. Their headquarters were in barns next to the Institute. The exhibit showed fire equipment used in the 1800s.
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