Harlem - P.S. 186
March 30. 2009 -
PS 186 is a somber ruin looming over a busy Harlem street. Opened in 1903, this elementary school was shuttered in 1975. According to a 2005 WNYC piece "it’s been thirty years since PS 186 in Harlem was closed because of its dilapidated conditions. The neglected building has been rotting away ever since." The New York Landmarks Conservancy describes PS 186's current condition as "poor" - inside the building, trees have taken root, floors are collapsing, birds have found refuge, and yet the auditorium is filled with upright chairs. A 2007 New York Sun article promised that "development plans are emerging" but, unlike the work being done at nearby PS 90, there is no evidence that PS 186 is being redeveloped by its owners, the ML Wilson Boys and Girls Club, despite a promise made in 1986 to create a community center in the space. Like the abandoned Renaissance Ballroom nearby, PS 186 is an eloquent reminder of the Harlem's long and sometimes troubled history.
Additional images by photographers on this expedition are at Bluejake and Impose Magazine.
Courtyard View
Auditorium
Upright Rows
Top Floor
Stairwell Sunlight
Rectangles
Classroom, Snow, Trees
Korean Graffiti
Blackboard Jungle
Arches, Portal, Sunlight
Street View
Wow! Nice!
ReplyDeleteI live near here. It's a palatial, beautiful Italianate structure and would be a great building for a community center, offices or housing. Instead, there was a plan to knock it down and build some (no doubt shoddily built and hideous) condo towers. Don't know if that plan's still in the works.
ReplyDeleteI live a block away on Riverside....and this building is truly beautiful. I hope the owners stay committed in renovating it (eventually). I would hate to see a condo built. I am 30 years old and have lived in the area my entire life...we need a community center.
ReplyDeleteAlso...this building has been abandoned for more than 30 years. My sister is 41 years old, and she recalls this building being abandoned when she was a little girl.
ReplyDeleteI lived on this block for 3 years, wonderful (well, sort of)to see the interiors. Hopefully someone can get their act together--I imagine this was a gorgeous building back in the day.
ReplyDeleteNice work here Nate, beautiful photos also. Its a shame to see the elements getting into this building like that, it wont last very long if it keeps up.
ReplyDeleteI was in the first 5th grade class to graduate from PS 186 in 1965. These photos bring back such wonderful memories. I also have some photos from that time period. For years, as a keepsake I owned a lunch bench from the cafeteria after the school closed. In moving, I have lost it. I loved this school. They offered afterschool programs, summer programs, and a place to play when I was a child. There was a sprinkler system in the yard for children to play in the summer. It would make a great community center.
ReplyDeleteI graduated from PS 186 in 1971. I believe my 5th grade class was the first to hold public demonstrations to have the school closed down. The teachers took the students outside on 145th Street and we marched and chanted. The photos bring back a lot of really nice memories. It's a shame that our fight to have a new school built (PS 153), would mean that this beautiful building would be left deteriorating 34 years later.
ReplyDeleteTo Mr. Kensinger and all others who read this. There was a community board 9 meeting on Tuesday, December 15th and it was made clear that the ML Wilson Boys and Girls Club are pushing to demolish the building and build a housing tower on the site. The plans they presented last month was a 14 story high rise. The architect they have hired is the architect of 3333 Broadway, which is the huge complex at Broadway and 135th street (south west corner), images are available if you Google it. There is a Preservation Committee of Community Board 9 and they are aiming to get the building landmarked, this will also be decided in January. The email regarding the meeting which was on the 15th is as follows:
ReplyDeleteFrom: "Tom O'Brian"
Date: December 12, 2009 11:30:05 EST
To: undisclosed recipients: ;
Subject: Fw: Update on Boys & Girls Club PS186
Save PS186, the abandoned school on 145/146th Street between Amsterdam & Broadway from Demolition!
The owner, Harlem Girls & Boys Club (Chair: Shirley Lewis,1st Vice Chair: Victor Ekperigin) are working together with the architect Richard Dattner who gave us 3333 Broadway, the worst eyesore in the neighborhood.
Dismissing all community concerns they are planning to demolish the building and replace it with an oversized, unimaginative building. They need our approval for a zoning change to do so.
Disapprove and voice your concerns!
Come to the next zoning meeting at Community Board 9, Tuesday, December 15, 6:30pm at Fortune Society, 630 Riverside Drive at 140th Street (please forward to your neighbors)
also send email to:
aburden@planning.nyc.gov
ehsuch@planning.nyc.gov
emarsha@planning.nyc.gov
m_cerezo@planning.nyc.gov
bp@manhattanbp.org
aborelli@manhattanbp.org
robertjackson05@aol.com
perkins@senate.state.ny.us
wrightk@assembly.state.ny.us
Jim.Capel@mail.house.gov
I have no experience in this type of struggle but hope that we can stop the demolition and maybe possibly have a more community interested group take over ownership.
I graduated from the 5th grade in 1974. The school was falling apart we actually had class in several moblie classrooms that last year. It was very dangerous to enter the bulding. This building holds some many precious childhood memories; it wouls be a shame to let this great building be demolished. I pass by if i'm in the area. It would be sorely missd if it was gone.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is beautiful building and I am sad to be apart of this project. I work in construction and the plans have just made it to my desk that a full demolition of the building will soon be taking place. Sorry to deliver the bad news...
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that they let such a beautiful bulding rot away. I graduated from there in the mid 60's. I lived 2 doors down from the school. It should be saved and turned into a community center which is much needed.
ReplyDeleteI love your phots , I am making a scrapbook of harlem now nd then to save for the future , These pics will mean so much one day,I am not sure how you have access to these condemned buildings, but may I suggest considering the old St Lukes hospital. St Lukes on 116th street, (at least a 4 years ago), had special hallways and pathways that led to the old hospital that has been closed for decades , its quite a sight. I only know as I was a medical resident who would explore on my bored days.
ReplyDeleteMr. Kensinger,
ReplyDeleteI am a new resident to the Manhattan area and fell in love with the structure of PS 186 as I passed the abandoned building. As a child, I attended PS 181Q - The Brookville School in Rosedale, NY. I remembered my childhood experiences at my childhood elementary school and immediately began to envision the renovation of this building hence housing the children in the area.
It is very sad to see the building in the state of ruin. I hope I can contribute to the "rebirth" of PS 186.
Prudence Reid
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael E. I believe you and I were in the same classes at PS 186. I lived two buildings up the street. It was great to see your post. Wanda T.
ReplyDeleteI attended PS 186 from 1943 thru 1945 and have fond memories of it. I also attended a Greek Language School that was provided after normal school hours from 3:30 PM to 5 PM om M/W/F. I can recall the sliding walls that existed in our classroom that would enable our class to become part of an auditorium style for general communications.
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Phillip. I am a design student in San Diego California and have fallen in love with this building through pictures I have found on the internet. I have decided to use it as my senior thesis and would love to ask anyone who attended the school some questions about the interior. If you will be willing to email me back it would mean the world to me. Thank you al in advance. pdockery@disd.edu
ReplyDeleteI graduated from 5th grade from P.S. 186. Much of my family still lives in the community and when I visited the area in 2011, I stopped and looked at the building. It brought back many wonderful childhood memories. I love the photography and have always wished that the school would be renovated and used as a community center rather than torn down and something else built in the space.
ReplyDeleteI am also looking to find anyone who attended the school between 1966 and 1971. I am a multi-media producer and would be interested in doing a documentary of the building, its impact on the people and community. email me at dunbarwalker@gmail.com
Dear Michael,
DeleteI graduated from PS 186 in 1967. Mrs. King was my teacher and Mr. Rosenberg was the principal. These were my teahers:
Mrs. Rosenberg - kindergarten - 1962
Mrs. Henry - 1st Grade - 1963
Mrs. Stein - 2nd Grade - 1964
Mrs. Danson - 3rd Grade - 1964
Mr. Gibson - 4th Grade - 1965
Mrs. King - 5th Grade - 1966
As you can see, I am 55 years old and still remember each and everyone of my teachers. They were the best dedicated teachers I've ever had and I was a handful! Too bad the education and teachers of today don't match up to the ones of yesteryear.
Nancy Delgado Krelios
Class of 67
N.Krelios@yahoo.com
I went to P.S.186 back in 1970 to 1973.Thank you for posting the pictures,I was finally able to show my grandchildren where I went to school.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear the fate of such a great school. I attended 186 in the 1960's. Great times, great teachers that cared. No security at the door, or metal detectors. I'm surprised the city has not come to the rescue of this great gem.We certainly do not need another condo, that most harlem residents can not afford.
ReplyDeleteWe were 4 in my Family that went to school at P.S.186 from 1968 to 1974 back when Miss Tozoni was Prencible. I love the way she walked in them Heels all day. My favorit place in the school was the long silver stair case on the front left entrance. I remember all the women that worked in the lunch room, Because they lived on my street 151. And they were always nice to me and my brother. The first time we had Chocolate milk one of them gave us two. My Teacher Miss Bromly. With 6 pennys my brother and I could buy two cartons of milk and 12 cookies at recess. I remember so many things from going to this school and these pictures just make me so HAPPY and Yet so SAD. P.S. 186 and the people that made it fun THANK YOU FOR THR GREAT TIMES. God Bless
ReplyDeleteI was a teacher from 1963-1968 at PS 186. I have fond memories for both the students and faculty at 186. The pictures brought back many fabulous memories,
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Mr. D
Just come back from visiting Mom.
ReplyDeleteBorn in 1919, evacuated from Florida after The Great Hurricane, she and her brother were educated here between 1930 +1935. I have just read through their school reports. I have their badges and their honors too.
We live in England and some of our buildings go back over a thousand years. Come on USA pull your socks up. You also have a fabulous heritage. Can't get a USA passport, please don't throw away the little connection we have left.
I graduated from there in 1972 i never thought i would see the inside again it brings back so many memories
ReplyDeletethis building has been abandoned for more than 30 years. My sister is 41 years old, and she recalls this building being abandoned when she was a little girl. plumber laverne
ReplyDeleteMY NAME IS CHARLENE AND I WENT TO PS 186 FROM KINDER-
ReplyDeleteGARTEN UNTIL I GRADUATED FROM PS 186. I AM NOW 61 YEARS OLD. I REMEMBER MY FIRST DAY MY TEACHER'S NAME WAS MISS NURSE. SHE WAS WONDERFUL I HAD THE MOST WONDERFUL TEACHERS YOU COULD IMAGINE. THEY WERE MORE LIKE MOTHER TO ALL OF US. MY FAVORITE TEACHER WAS VERA CLARKE, MISS CLARKE WAS THE MOST DEDICATED TEACHER I HAVE EVER KNOWN. SHE BOUGHT OUT THE BEST IN ME SHE MADE ME WANT TO MAKE HER PROUD. I REMEMBER ON THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL I CRIED ALL THE WAY HOME BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO MISS HER SO MUCH, IT BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES AS I AM WRITING THIS. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF MISS CLARKE IS STILL AROUND. MY CLASS WAS 5-2 AND MISS CLARKE PROMOTED ME TO 6-1 WHICH WAS THE SMARTEST 6TH GRADE CLASS! I ATTRIBUTE MY LOVE FOR LEARNING TO HER, SHE MADE IT A FUN EXPERIENCE. SHE WAS ALSO NO NONSENSE. I HAD OTHER TEACHERS I ADMIRED ALSO LIKE MISS FREEHILL IN THE 4TH GRADE.I REMEMBER MISS STEIN FONDLY ALSO. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE MISS CLARKE IS PLEASE EMAIL ME AT willingboro2003@yahoo.com IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS MY NAME WAS CHARLENE YOUNG I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH LAWRENCE SMITH JACKIE SAWYER ANITA MONTEIRO DMITRI HAMILTON YOLANDA COLON THE DEAN SISTER DEBORAH TANYA VERONICA CONSUELO AND YOLANDA. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!