A Glimpse of Holland In Forest Hills - Happy 85th Anniversary To The Holland House!

By Michael Perlman of  Rego-Forest Preservation Council & the Forest Hills Times

What is in a name? The Holland House, situated at 73-37 Austin Street is now 85 years old, and since 1929, has been a grand residence which never abandoned its charm.

Perhaps Forest Hills residents are unaware of its Dutch influence. Around 250 years prior to its completion, the land was granted by a Dutch King to Casper Joost Springsteen in the mid-17^th century, when Queens was a Dutch Colonial province of the New Netherlands. After remaining in the prominent Springsteen farming family for seven generations, the 4-acre parcel sold for an excess of $1,000,000 in December 1928 to President Robert Shelley and Treasurer Alfred J. Ball of the Shellball Realty Corporation, which erected and managed the Holland House. In summer 1929, the ten-story site was prized for being the tallest Queens apartment house in one of the most beautiful suburban American communities, with average home prices ranging from $25,000 to $350,000.  

A notable architect by the name of Benjamin Braunstein designed the Holland House, and also made his mark on significant developments including Sutton Hall, The Wakefield, Tilden Arms, and The Chatham in Forest Hills, Marion Court and Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rego Park, and The Mowbray in Kew Gardens. Braunstein designed the Holland House to be soundproof and fireproof, and to offer two to eight rooms with one to three baths, foyers leading to living rooms, and three penthouses. His plans also included a 50 x 175 foot rear garden, a roof garden, and a social hall for residents and guests to entertain. Hallways were furnished in the Old Dutch style. 

The Holland House is synonymous with the Forest Hills Gardens’ Old English style, and is uniquely merged with the streamlined Art Deco influences of a time when the Chrysler Building was under construction. The façade features terra-cotta scrollwork depicting gargoyles, birds, and foxes, as well as raised brick, stonework, ornamental balconies, archways, and recessed areas and large windows which maximize light and air.

“A quiet dignity pervades the whole building which is noted for high quality and character of its tenancy and management,” read an illustrated prospectus for new suitors and tenants. It continued, “Gracious, uniformed attendants at the entrance doors admit you to a nicely carpeted and well furnished lobby, next to which are two passenger elevators. The management provides twenty-four hour door, elevator and valet service. Maids may be had by the day or hour. To assure the comfort and protection of all, references are required from prospective tenants.”  

Today, the Holland House is a co-op with a 7-day doorman, and residents can attest to its quality living outlined in the prospectus. “We were drawn to the building because of the pre-war architecture and our large apartment’s attention to detail,” said Carmela Gersbeck. Board President Bart Haggerty explained, “Our community is very diverse, ranging from singles to young couples, to couples raising children, to multiple generations, to retirees.  Several residents reside here for over 40 years. We are half a block to Austin Street’s shopping and restaurants, while still being on the quiet residential section of Austin Street.” 

“The Holland House has all the trappings of a Park Avenue residence, along with views of the Manhattan skyline and three bridges, and it’s zoned for Public School 101 in the Gardens,” said Historian Bill Safka. He then pointed out some fellow notables. “Disc Jockey Eddie Arcaro and a model known as Sabrina lived here. Bing Crosby and Dixie Lee would visit a penthouse resident.” 

The building takes pride in its garden, which was named “Keith's Courtyard” after their doorman Keith Smith. Safka, who is also Chair of the Beautification Committee explained, “I planned and planted our garden along with Keith, who was so keen in seeing it rejuvenated. Way back when, brides would take their wedding photos in front of our Magnolia trees.”

“We expanded our garden with a stone patio, a variety of shade loving plants and perennials, and tables and chairs for the residents' quiet enjoyment,” said Gersbeck. Residents adopted a Japanese Maple, a Tulip Tree, two Eastern Redbuds, and an Amur Maackia tree from the Forest Hills Tree Giveaway Events, which contributed diversity among mature Maples and Elms.

Gersbeck explained some other special characteristics. “We have a very committed board which sponsors events and makes the Holland House a diverse and active community.” Some attractions are summer and fall barbecues, a spring cocktail party, and Halloween and holiday parties. This year, residents can anticipate a hallway renovation and the possibility of an exercise room.

We take pride in presenting the prospectus which was distributed shortly after the Holland House opened....

 

A rendition of this feature was published in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/24980677/article-Holland-House-celebrates-85-years-in-FH

Children Envision The QueensWay’s Future - Historic Route May Be Redefined

By Michael Perlman

Youthful visionaries at the QueensWay Mobile Workshop, Photo by Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council

Our children are our future. On March 29, Queens’ youth had a creative opportunity to shape our borough’s future by illustrating and presenting their visions for the QueensWay, which bears potential as a 3.5-mile linear elevated public park. The event was held at the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School, which uniquely sits in the foreground of a section of the abandoned LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch Line in Forest Hills. 

QueensWay conceptual rendering with children's play area, native trees, & wildflowers

Along with numerous Queens residents, the Trust For Public Land and Friends of The QueensWay envision converting an abandoned stretch of tracks, depleted with weeds and trash into a multi-faceted resource which Queens can pride as its symbolic representation of the 21^st century. This was one event among a series of QueensWay workshops and mobile workshops, which the organizations hope will inspire Queens communities to contribute ideas, pose questions, and receive feedback. 

The Rockaway Beach Branch Line in Forest Hills as of 2011, Courtesy of Friends of The QueensWay

Woodhaven Junction Station in 1950, Courtesy of Friends of The QueensWay

In 1962, a small section of the line succumbed to a fire, and city officials responded by decommissioning the entire line. The conceived QueensWay would bridge central to southern Queens communities, as it intersects Rego Park, Forest Hills, Glendale, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, and Ozone Park, and also provide direct access to Forest Park. According to the Trust, the QueensWay would serve 250,000 residents living within a mile, while fostering a major economic boost to Queens.  

Queens is a few steps closer to the QueensWay, as evident by a number of recent developments. After New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo awarded the Trust for Public Land a $467,000 to determine if the QueensWay is feasible, it led to the commissioning of two planning and design firms, WXY architecture + urban design and dlandstudio, which was recently joined by Hester Street Collaborative, a community engagement nonprofit. The organizations debuted preliminary design renderings at the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School on March 24, followed by their presentation at the High School For Construction Trades, Engineering and Architecture on March 26. To reach residents who are unable to attend major workshops, QueensWay mobile workshops will continue to be held.

The March 29^th children’s mobile workshop was monitored by Shelma Jun of the Hester Street Collaborative and joined by Friends of The QueensWay volunteers Travis Terry of Forest Hills and Ruben Ramales of Woodhaven. Jun opened the QueensWay Mobile Workshop toolkit, and across a communal table, displayed a foldout aerial map bearing the neighborhoods that the QueensWay would intersect. She explained what led to the tracks’ abandonment and how it has creative reuse potential. The map was then reversed to reveal 10 photos which depict the area’s conditions and its embankments.

Ramales explained, “You'll find yourself on grade in the north. As it starts to work itself south, it’s pretty much earth embankments until it hits Forest Park, which then becomes more of a ravine. It changes back to earth embankments until it becomes an elevated viaduct.”

Jun explained how the areas vary in width, and drew comparisons to the width of two school buses, an airplane, or the Statue of Liberty. For example, the QueensWay is 72 feet wide near Jamaica Avenue, but 133 feet wide adjacent to the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School. “Where an area is really wide, we can introduce lots of activities,” she said. In response, the children were presented with a map with bold titled communities along the QueensWay, and were asked to place buttons pinpointing activities which they could enjoy along specific stretches. The buttons ranged from bird watching to garden spaces to food festivals. 

   The children were then handed a “QueensWay History Coloring Book.” It illustrated the line’s origins to its abandonment, and showed how some sections grew wild and others began housing businesses below. The last steps enabled them to imagine how an old railroad can be transformed into a park, and encouraged drawing what they would like to see in a circle. The children created a pond with frogs and fish, trees, flowers, bike paths, a zip line, and swings. Then they placed their 4 favorite program stickers, which included nature walks, ecology classes, and picnic areas. 

The event concluded with children presenting their work and exhibiting much respect for each other’s visions. This proved how community residents need to listen to each other’s views and work as team players, to achieve a win-win solution for Queens. 

“Through our QueensWay workshops, we are coordinating fun activities for students in kindergarten through grade 12. We want to get ideas from kids in schools or afterschool programs, since they can be very positive and creative,” said Ramales. 

Conceptual renderings of the QueensWay

Conceptual renderings of the QueensWay

Conceptual renderings of the QueensWay

There are nearly 2,500 QueensWay petition signers. Will you add your name & a comment? https://www.change.org/petitions/the-city-of-new-york-create-a-greenway-along-the-abandoned-rockaway-beach-branch-right-of-way


A similar version of this feature appeared in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/24862255/article-Children-share-their-vision-for-QueensWay

You can advocate for a historical route and Queens' future by joining Friends of The QueensWay: https://www.facebook.com/TheQueensWay

 

The School In The Gardens Launches Centennial

By Michael Perlman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council

PS 101 in 1927

PS 101 in 2014, Photo by Michael Perlman

PS 101 in 2014, Photo by Michael Perlman

Public School 101, nestled in the Forest Hills Gardens at 2 Russell Place, has been a community cornerstone since 1914, which was eight years after Forest Hills was named, and five years after the founding of the Gardens. To celebrate PS 101’s centennial and influential role in the community, students, parents, and faculty members rejoiced at the Community House on the evening of March 15^th.   

The festivities marked the launching of a year-long celebration, characterized by several creative means of expression. On May 20^th, PS 101 will officially become a Department of Education certified school, followed by the “Celebrating 100 Years of Diversity” international dinner on June 4^th. Looking ahead, a Centennial Carnival will be held in October, the PS 101 Talent Show in November, and an Alumni & Parents Dinner come December. 

The Community House was filled with nearly 180 people, spanning the generations. Hof Hall was largely devoted to children’s activities. The agenda featured music and dinner, a show by Mario The Magician, and the All Star Dance Studios teaching classic and modern routines ranging from The Charleston to the Gangnam Style. The proscenium was complemented by an elaborate arched display of yellow and black balloons in representation of the school colors, alongside balloons which spelled “PS 101 100.” 

Hof Hall

Smith Hall

 

Smith Hall

At Smith Hall, attendees danced to the sounds of the notable duo, Banjo Nickaru & His Western Scooches featuring Betina Hershey Russo, whose diverse repertoire reflected the decades of PS 101’s operation. With support from local preservationists, a visual chronology of PS 101 graced the walls, and a window into the past featured a timeline of books read over the eras. Hors d’oeuvres were served, and dinner was prepared by parents and local merchants. To top it off, a multi-layer cake featuring PS 101-themed images was created by Mina Eimaldi, a PS 101 parent and board member, and presented to attendees who sang “Happy Birthday To PS 101!” To capture a memorable evening, participants set foot in a photo booth. 

Banjo Nickaru & His Western Scooches featuring Betina Hershey Russo

PS 101 Centennial Cake

 Back in 1909, the newly established Forest Hills Gardens bordered farmland which dated to its Whitepot days, but when the LIRR became an electrified stop at Station Square that same year, Forest Hills was eyed by newer families. In 1914, their children entered a 4-room frame school, nicknamed the “Little Red Schoolhouse.” As the population increased, that grew to a 4-story brick and limestone Germano-Tudor style school in 1927, which was designed by Architect William H. Gompert. Its octagonal tower bearing a pediment roof is a symbolic representation of the Forest Hills Inn.

PA President Soumaly King & Principal Monique Paniagua stand in front of the Smith Hall fireplace

“I am very proud of PS 101’s heritage, which reflects its academic excellence. We want to continue building our heritage, so hopefully in another 100 years that will be passed on to our next generations,” explained Principal Monique Paniagua. Parents Association President Soumaly King added, “It is amazing to be a part of a legacy, where thousands of children have gone to our school. We have cultivated and grown beautiful minds. We are academically enriched in a beautiful community, and we are lucky to reach this milestone now.”

“I have a daughter in the 5^th grade and two older boys that graduated,” said Cecile Renna, who is a voice among parents echoing that sentiment. She explained, “What makes PS 101 unique is the sense of belonging to a great community, which is diverse in terms of culture and nationality. The teachers are amazing and really get to know you, and parents have become such great friends. It is a small school which is always welcoming. We have been at the school for 15 years, and when my daughter graduates, it won't be without sadness. I will cherish all the great memories.” As a Tory Burch employee, Renna helped raise funds for PS 101’s programming by having her company donate a pair of leather purses, scarves, and leather wallets, which were among the live auction’s many items, gift certificates, and membership packages.

PS 101 aims to instill a sense of the broader community within its students. After Hurricane Sandy, students assisted young victims by designing blankets. When the Forest Hills Gardens turned 100, the Parents Association coordinated a music gala to reflect the neighborhood’s cultural history, and some of the proceeds replaced a tree which succumbed during the 2010 macroburst. Other worthwhile events are the school choir’s performance at the annual Flag Day ceremony on Flagpole Green, a community-sponsored annual essay contest, and visits to the West Side Tennis Club and the Forest Hills firehouse. 

Children at recess, 1920s

Children at recess, 1920s

Drinking milk, 1940s

Class of June 1931

Class of June 1945

A 1950s class photo

Class of June 1954

Class 2-202 in 1979

 

A relic from the PS 101 boiler room!

Public School 101's centennial was also featured in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/24818981/article-PS-101-celebrates-100-years