The neoclassical facade of an orphanage opened in 1857 suspended in time after being unearthed by the demolition of a parking garage on East 90th Street is unexpectedly at the center of controversy. Adam Kuperstein reports.
What to Know
- An 150 year old facade was revealed during construction of a multi-million dollar athletic facility for the Spence School in Manhattan
- The neoclassical facade of an orphanage opened in 1857 was unearthed by the demolition of a parking garage on 90th Street
- Rev. Boniface Ramsey is the priest at St. Joseph’s Church in Yorkville, which was affiliated with the orphanage has fought to save facade
The neoclassical facade of an orphanage opened in 1857 suspended in time after being unearthed by the demolition of a parking garage on East 90th Street is, unexpectedly, at the center of controversy.
Rev. Boniface Ramsey is the priest at St. Joseph’s Church in Yorkville, which was affiliated with the orphanage until it closed in 1918.
“This is heritage of the neighborhood which is rapidly disappearing,” Ramsey said.
He is now on a mission to preserve the 19th century facade.
“You don’t see this anymore, anywhere,” George Prado, an Upper East Side resident, said.
The 150 year old facade was revealed during construction of a multi-million dollar athletic facility for the Spence School, an elite all-girls private school, where tuition is $52,000 a year, according to their website.
Local
“These were penniless orphans there, I think that should arouse some sympathy,” Ramsey said.
He tried sending a letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, but according to him, the commission said the facade has no architectural merit.
In the end father Ramsey couldn’t stop the facade from getting blocked, but the Spence School did agree to a put plaque here at the entrance to commemorate the orphanage and remind people walking by of the history.
“I think it’s fabulous they’re going to acknowledge what it was,” Jane Zimmy, an Upper East Side resident, said.
And that’s not all, the school says it is also going to create an educational display in the lobby to celebrate the history of the orphanage.
“We look forward to a joint collaboration to honor the site of the former chapel,” the Spence School said in a statement. “The fact that the site will once again serve children, after a hiatus of over a century of connection with St. Joseph’s, should rightfully be honored.”
Father Ramsey says that’s a victory, but there’s even more solace since when the construction is complete, the facade won’t be destroyed, just hidden.
“When that facility comes down 100 years from now, there will be the facade,” Ramsey said.
