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 special historic building located at 114-04 14th Road in College Point, Queens, New York. It holds an important place in history because it was home to the very first free kindergarten in the United States. It also offered the first free evening classes for adults in the country.
Today, the Poppenhusen Institute serves as a community cultural center. The building is five stories tall and was built in a strong, classic Victorian style. It became a New York City Landmark in 1970 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
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A Gift for the Community
The Poppenhusen Institute was built in 1868. It was paid for 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. This project became a very important part of College Point.
Conrad Poppenhusen was a very active and proud citizen. His efforts brought great success to College Point. The Poppenhusen Institute was similar to the Cooper Union Institute in Manhattan. Both places offered free classes, especially in "home arts" and machinery, to people living nearby.
Learning for Everyone
The original plan for the institute said it should be open to everyone. This meant people of all backgrounds, no matter their race, beliefs, or religion. The goal was to help people improve their lives. They could prepare for better jobs or learn new hobbies for their free time.
The institute was created for job training. It also helped Conrad Poppenhusen's goal of providing education for factory workers. The building was made to teach English and factory skills. Over time, French and Spanish classes were added or took the place of some English classes. This happened because some people felt their English was already good.
More advanced classes were also offered. These included lessons in drafting and machine shop skills for local workers in electronics factories. The Poppenhusen Institute also had scientific and historical collections. It provided equipment for chemistry and philosophy, books, drawings, pictures, and statues. All these things were there to help people learn and get educated.
More Than Just a School
The institute was home to many different services. It housed the Justice of the Peace and the first College Point Savings Bank. German Singing Societies met there, and it had the first library in the area. There was even a court room and the Sheriff's Office, where two jail cells still remain today.
Most famously, the Poppenhusen Institute started the first free kindergarten in the United States. This kindergarten opened its doors on July 1, 1870. The institute was also set up to protect and care for young children under five years old.
Even today, the institute is still active. It is known as a recognized trade school. About 400 men and women attend evening classes there each year.
A Place for History
The Poppenhusen Institute also became a place to show historical exhibits and artifacts from Queens. In May 1962, the College Point Historical Room celebrated its first anniversary at the institute. This event included a new exhibit about "Volunteer Fire Fighting Companies at College Point."
Conrad Poppenhusen started the Enterprise Engine Company Two in 1861. After the engine was no longer used in 1875, a group called the "smokeeaters" changed the unit's name to Enterprise Hose Company. They set up their headquarters in barns next to the institute on 14th Road. The exhibit showed fire equipment used in the 1800s.
Caring for the Building
From January 1968 to December 1985, the Ponce Family lived inside the Poppenhusen Institute. Dominick Ponce was in charge of taking care of the property. He updated the electrical wiring and plumbing in the building. Dominick Ponce passed away on February 14, 2011.
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