Washington School (Ossining, New York)

Washington School
A large square beige-colored three-story brick building with pilasters on the front and the words "Washington School" engraved below the roof. Between the windows on the second and third stories are the words "science" "language" and "history".
West profile and south elevation, 2009
Washington School (Ossining, New York) is located in New York
Washington School (Ossining, New York)
Washington School (Ossining, New York) is located in the United States
Washington School (Ossining, New York)
LocationOssining, NY
Nearest cityWhite Plains
Coordinates41°9′56″N 73°51′30″W / 41.16556°N 73.85833°W / 41.16556; -73.85833
Area1 acre (4,000 m2)
Built1907 (1907)
Built byJohn V. Schaefer
ArchitectWilson Potter
Architectural styleBeaux Arts
NRHP reference No.87000080[1]
Added to NRHPFebruary 12, 1901

The former Washington School is located on Croton Avenue (New York State Route 133) in the village of Ossining, New York, United States. It was built in 1907 in the Beaux-Arts style, one of two in the village to use it.[2] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.[1]

It was built as a high school, in response to the village's rapid growth following industrialization in the early 20th century, from a design by Wilson Potter of New York City, an architect who specialized in schools. It includes what were at the time some of the most progressive and advanced features of school buildings. Its early (for a school) use of the Beaux-Arts style and placement on a rise in the land give it a monumental quality despite its relatively small size.

It is no longer used as a school, and has been turned over to the village for reuse. For a time it housed a museum established by the local historical society. In 1973 it was closed by the school district as part of desegregation efforts.[3] Since a 2009 renovation it has been home to the House of Refuge Apostolic Faith Church.[4] It remains largely as it was originally built, with few alterations.

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ The other Beaux-Arts school building in Ossining is [ ].
  3. ^ "School Desegregation in Ossining, New York" (PDF). United States Commission on Civil Rights. August 1977. p. 3. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  4. ^ "History". HORAC Ministries. Retrieved January 11, 2013.