The History of Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School
Timeline
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.
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.