Former Elementary School in Broadway Neighborhood Buffalo NY
Buffalo Public School PS 44 - Lincoln School, Buffalo New York
Buffalo Public School #44 (PS 44) is located at 1369 Broadway Street and was constructed in two main stages. Commissioned by the City of Buffalo and the Board of Education, the northeastern portion of the school was designed first by the city's Building Bureau architect, Howard L. Beck, in 1907-1909, and then the remaining portions were subsequently designed by the city's Board of Education architect, Ernest Crimi in 1930. While each part of the building was commissioned and designed by different architects, the overall plans of the building were adapted from standardized plans that were used throughout many schools in Buffalo throughout the early twentieth century.
Classroom size, daylight, ventilation, room finishes, heating systems, corridor size, circulation and fireproof construction were all designed to standards that would benefit the physical, mental and moral health of the student. The plans, siting, and material fabric of PS 44 were designed according to these requirements in order to enhance student exposure to natural light, hygienic practices and certain educational values put in place by state and federal school guidelines during the 1900s-1930s. While hygienic values were emphasized as a priority in school designs of the early 1900s, concerns for fire safety, prevention and egress began to dominate school design in the 1920s.
PS 44 provided elementary education to the Broadway area of Buffalo's East Side neighborhood from the late nineteenth century into the twenty-first century. Providing elementary education on Buffalo's East Side since 1869, PS 44 underwent many stages of expansion and construction during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The school was first built as a primary annex to PS 25 on Lewis Street, with a small, simple wooden structure housing students as early as 1869. By 1893, this wood building could not accommodate student demand in the neighborhood. As one publication described, "There is a little, antiquated frame schoolhouse at the corner of Broadway and Person Street, where primary classes are taught. Like every school at East Buffalo, No 44 is overcrowded and it has been found necessary to rent an annex, which annex is located at the corner of Broadway and Mohr Street." At this time, the registration at PS 44 was 390 pupils, with an average attendance of about 275. Mandatory education laws in 1894 flooded schools with new students, many of them from working class or immigrant families. The neighborhood also continued to grow more generally during this time as well, as an influx of new residents continued to populate the area. Already PS 44 was in need of expansion, and as one article urged, "a large and better schoolhouse is needed in this district, so little time should be wasted in providing for the needs of the district." In 1895, a 3-story brick, steam-heated school was built on the site, as well as a two-room cottage that was later used to house the school janitor. This building, although demolished in 1929, continued to accommodate the school's expanding student population into the early 1900s. By 1899, 1350 pupils were registered at PS 44.
Located on the south side of Broadway Street between Person Street and Krupp Avenue, PS 44 is located in an area that has historically been categorized as a predominantly Polish neighborhood. Populated by a large number of immigrant families, many of them from Poland or other parts of Eastern Europe, the neighborhood became a "one of the most thickly populated sections of the city by the twentieth century." Reflecting back on this area during nineteenth century from the perspective of the twentieth century, the Buffalo Municipal Research Bureau, a local government agency organized to survey various public services, described the PS 44 neighborhood in 1931:
Despite the prejudices contained in this description, the high percentage of foreign-born or raised students did present a challenge to teachers providing elementary education at PS 44. In response, PS 44 was one of the first in the city to integrate vocational training into their curriculum. The school prided itself on being "the first in Buffalo to organize a cooking class, a benchwork department for the boys and typewriting and shorthand classes. It was here also, that the first weekly school paper, the Lincoln School Herald, saw the light in 1908, and also the first vocational school of printing was started in 1910, which since has developed into the great Elm Vocational School." With different vocational programs eventually leading to the establishment of two different vocational schools in Buffalo, the Burgard and Elm schools, PS 44 played a direct role in innovating the Buffalo public school system in the early twentieth century.
In 1907, construction of another building began at PS 44. Designed by city architect Howard L. Beck, the construction of the 20-room brick building occurred at the southeast corner of Broadway Street and Krupp Avenue, on newly acquired property directly to the east of the nineteenth-century brick school building at Broadway Street and Person Street. The nineteenth-century building remained intact on the west end of the property at this time, as did the 1-story janitor's house. The new building was constructed a short distance away from these older buildings, connected by a passageway at the west elevation of the new construction. The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from 1917 indicates the relationship between the new building and the old buildings, as well as demonstrating the overall plan of the new construction, which emphasized a central corridor running on a north-south axis with stairwells at each end. A large auditorium occupied the majority of the western portion of the new building, as well as a carpenter shop for vocational training. Six classrooms lined the east end of the building on each of the three floors, greatly expanding the functional space of PS 44 at this time.
Shortly after the new building was completed, a ceremony was held to celebrate it's opening in 1909, which also renamed PS 44 the Lincoln School. The dedication ceremony took place on February 12th, 1909, the 100-year anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth, and featured several speeches by the superintendent, principal and the building's architect Howard Beck. Describing the building in his speech, Beck stated, "this building has been erected and equipped with care. It is fireproof and modern in every detail, it is the best school in the city and one which will last for generations." Newspapers praised Beck's design, claiming that it "furnishes the latest contribution to the many fire structures devoted to education in this city." Today, this 1907-1909 addition is still intact at PS 44, forming the east wing of the building.
Regardless of the expansion of the school facilities in 1909, the years surrounding World War I continued to bring a population increase to the PS 44 district. While the census reports indicate a population of 16,177 in the ninth ward in 1900, that number increased to 20,147 by 1910. Public officials and neighborhood representatives again urged for another expansion of the school, although they would not be successful for another decade. In 1916, as one report identified, "the following schools which are for the most part in the congested Italian or Polish districts, are either filled to their capacity or overcrowded." Listing PS 44 among these overcrowded institutions, the report identified the school as a "typical case of a school with inadequate lots," where "sites of satisfactory size for a single original building are now crowded because of the erection of additional structures not anticipated when the site was purchased." Overcrowding continued to be an issue for PS 44 into the 1920s, when the average membership at the school was 1513 pupils and average attendance was 1386. By 1930, PS 44's ward reported a population of nearly 30,000, indicating a dramatic population growth over these years. This growth generally reflected the overall growth of Buffalo during this time.
The school hired a new principal, John P. Sherrard in 1926, who began to lead the campaign for a new school building addition in earnest. Principal Sherrard, along with "a group of leading Broadway citizens, took up the cudgels for the erection of a new school or the construction of an addition to the newest of the three present buildings." Describing the conditions of the school in the 1920s, a local newspaper stated, "The present outlay of buildings on the School 44 grounds includes a comparatively new brick building which houses the upper grades, a 38 year old brick building housing the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades, and a frame ex-glue factory, in which the second grade is housed. It is the old brick building on which [Sherrard and the advocates] concentrated in their fight for a new addition." Sherrard argued, "It is one of the most needed school improvements in the city of Buffalo. There has never been a time since the construction decades ago of the old brick annex [c.1895], then the main school building [1909], that every child in the school has had a decent seat. There have been times when the pupils were seated in aisles and cloakrooms." In 1927, "a citizens committee protested to the Board of Educations that conditions in the school were bad. This was freely admitted but the Board told them nothing could be down in 1927. We [the Board] promised to take care of the matter in 1928, and we are going to." Efforts to secure a bond for a new building continued in 1928, when the district's Councilman, Michael Ruszkiewicz, joined in the fight for a new addition. As part of his strategy, the Councilman "called the attention of the Board to the fact that classes were taught in damp basements and termed the entire structure a fire-trap." While politicians resisted the term "fire-trap," they acquiesced to the need for improvements in the late 1920s. December 1928 marked "the beginning of the end of a battle that lasted for more than three years," when they finally obtained "approval by the Council finance committee of a proposed $580,000 bond issue for the construction of a new addition to School 44 at Broadway and Person Street." Immediately upon approval it was announced that the "school board will have plans and specifications prepared and the school will be built. It is expected that work will get underway about next fall." As head architect of the Board of Education at this time, Ernest Crimi was responsible for adopting standardized plans for use at PS 44 in early 1929.
Simultaneously, others began to set about acquiring land for a playground at PS 44 in 1929. As reports acknowledged that "there is no playground available anywhere in the neighborhood for the younger children," efforts to expand the property boundaries of PS 44 to include space for a playground were prioritized at this time. Councilman Ruszkiewicz proposed "the purchase of additional land adjoining School 44, bounded by Persons, Krupp and the other end of Ashley streets." This purchase, however, would require acquiring and then demolishing multiple dwellings in the area, as "On that land adjoining the school there are 16 houses. Nearly all of the houses are on 30 foot lots." By November 1929, the Common Council approved the purchase of these properties with public funds and they were accordingly demolished or moved to the other side of the playground near the railroad.
Plans for the new addition to PS 44 were underway throughout 1929. The building was "designed to accommodate some 1600 pupils housed in basements and temporary quarters" during the construction phase. Plans for the new building indicated, "the addition will be attached to the western end of the upper grades building, and a complete new heating, ventilating and plumbing system will be installed for both buildings. The old brick annex and the frame ex-glue factory will be torn down." Workers identified, "the first task will be to tear down the present building," referring to the nineteenth century annex. While this was done, the children were temporarily, "housed in portables on the school site or in portables which may be placed on other property which the school board owns on Bailey Avenue."
Several features were included in order to modernize the facilities at PS 44 at this time. Asked to include a swimming pool, Crimi subsequently adjusted the plans to feature this new, modern, hygienic feature. The addition was also planned to contain "an assembly room, cafeteria, music, domestic arts and sciences rooms, health clinic, manual training shops, gymnasium and classrooms. It will be used for the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades, and the present upper grades building will be used to house the primary grades." These upgrades required securing additional bonds, as it was discovered that including these features would raise "construction costs to exceed $650,000 when certain alterations of the old building to connect the annex are made." Once these finances were secured, construction began in late 1929 and the new building was completed by 1930.
The new addition called for significant changes to the buildings at PS 44. The earlier 3-story brick building, built in the nineteenth century, was demolished at the western end of the property, as were the 1.5-story annex at the south end and the 1-story janitor's house. A handful of residential dwellings were also demolished at the south end of the property along Krupp Avenue to accommodate space for a new playground. The addition was designed to incorporate the 1907 building into its plan, expanding the new construction along the southern and western areas. The 1907 auditorium was converted into cafeteria space and a newer, much larger auditorium was built to the south of the old building in the addition. The south end of the addition also included a swimming pool, locker room, classroom space and boiler rooms. Substantial expansion also occurred at the west end of the property, where a wing of classrooms and double loaded corridor ran along the north-south axis, mirroring that originally present in the 1907 building to the east. This effectively doubled the number of classrooms from the 1907 building, with at least six new classrooms on each of the three floors in the west wing alone. Office spaces occupied the northwest corner of the addition and stairwells increased circulation at the northwest and southwest ends of the building. The resulting effect of this 1930 addition greatly transformed the overall plan and massing of the building, creating a rectangular shape that combined the older 1907 building at the eastern end, extended its length southwards, and then essentially doubled its space westwards. An inner courtyard was also created from this addition, providing an open, public space at the center of the school at the junction between the old and new portions of the building. Many of Crimi's school buildings throughout the city were typically based on a rectangular courtyard plan containing a double-height auditorium and gymnasium on the shorter sides and classrooms along the longer sides. This is evident at PS 44, where he incorporated a courtyard in the space where the old building met the new addition. The plan reflects the importance placed on created shared spaces at the heart of the building, with outward facing elevations present a different face to the surrounding city.
At the time the school was considered the most modern example of school design in the city, and was an excellent example of the application of the new standards in school design. As the new addition was constructed during the era of substantial school building throughout the city, the design for the building followed many of the standardized plans that had been established by the Associated Buffalo Architects (ABA) during the early 1920s. The ABA, as well as consulting architect William B. Ittner and Board of Education architect Ernest Crimi, developed multiple plans that could be adapted to each school throughout the 1920s. As Ittner recognized, "The buildings have been standardized in their plan, construction and finish, to the end that through such duplication minimum costs may be attained." Commissioning these plans, the school board recognized that "standardization of plans and specifications is eminently wise" in the context of multiple similar school building projects, as using these "small economies many times repeated, foot up into a huge total saving." Although they were commissioned by different organizations, both the ABA and Crimi based their designs around the standards mandated by New York State and the guidance received from consulting architect William B. Ittner. Ittner's standardized designs removed the basement classrooms that many had experienced at PS 44, providing students with adequate light and air, providing maximum exposure to sunlight in classrooms Ittner's focus on illumination and air circulation reflected popular attitudes on hygiene that emphasized natural light and air as key components to the healthy development of a child's mind.
The plan for the addition to PS 44 adopted a block type plan, although it joins at its east end to the older 1907 building which utilized something more akin to an E type plan. Perhaps because Crimi was not commissioned to build a new school building, but rather an addition to an existing one, he did not adopt the E type plan that was recommended at the time. His use of the block type plan, however, enabled him to install a systematized path of double-loaded corridors that traversed the building in a rectangular shape and provided multiple exits and stairwells that ensured the safety of the students, as fire egress was a prominent concern at the time. Furthermore, by allowing for shared open space at the juncture of the old and new buildings, Crimi created an internal courtyard that aligned with the central courtyard seen in the standardized block type plan. These adjustments demonstrate the ways in which Crimi utilized these standardized plans as a guideline, while still allowing for the individualization of the addition, particularly in its relationship to the 1907 building.
Inside, features such as the gymnasium and pool met the requirements for a hygienic school environment. The swimming program at PS 44 was praised, like many, for its incorporation of a swimming pool. As one article stated, "The introduction of swimming into the curriculum of the public schools physical training department must be regarded as another step forward. The hygienic aim of all forms of bodily exercise like swimming, which is excellent from a physiologic, hygienic, as well as an educational stand point [and] the effect of this ideal exercise on character, the development of courage and will power." The fireproof construction, with concrete floors and roof and masonry walls met the New York Law.
PS 44 continued to provide elementary education to the Broadway neighborhood on Buffalo's east side for several more decades. During the 1930s and 1940s, school construction practices continued to codify the values embedded in hygienic designs over the previous twenty years. As Suzanne Warren has suggested, "School buildings did not undergo dramatic physical changes during this era," though technological advances such as artificial lighting eased the need for the specific fenestration previously required to illuminate classrooms. The surrounding community demographics shifted substantially after World War II, when the neighborhood began to be characterized as a predominantly African American community rather than a Polish one. In 1975, the courtyard of the school was structurally changed, with rooms built for use as a community center. Other physical changes to the building also occurred after the period of significance, such as the installation of dropped ceilings for acoustic remediation and replacement windows in some areas.
In 1976, school desegregation laws went into effect citywide, bringing significant changes to the school system and to PS 44. With approximately 3305 students bussed to schools in other neighborhoods in the year 1976 alone, the shuffling of the student population in order to increase diversity throughout city schools made a substantial impact on the city of Buffalo public school system. Ten schools closed in 1976-1977, and their student populations were merged with other schools in an attempt to enhance the racial balance of the system. At this time, PS 44 was converted to the Academy program as part of these desegregation efforts, which combined preschool, kindergarten and elementary grades with students in grades up to grade 8. By 1978, 8,305 students were bussed throughout the Buffalo public school system, making it one of the largest and most advanced desegregation efforts in the nation. As a result of this bussing, fourteen more schools had closed by 1980 due to the change in student population numbers. One year later in 1981, the city of Buffalo received an additional $7.4 million in Federal desegregation funds, the most per student for any system in the country. By 1985, the city court proclaimed Buffalo's desegregation system a success, and the New York Times hailed this program as "a national model … the most successful in the country." Considering the task achieved, the court lifted the mandate to desegregate schools in 1987.
PS 44 continued to function as an educational institution throughout this time and into the twentieth century, even though its original elementary school program had substantially changed during this time. From 2006-2013, the Buffalo Alternative High School operated from the PS 44 buildings, serving grades 9-12. The building is currently vacant.
Howard L. Beck
Howard L. Beck was born in 1874 and grew up in Niagara Falls, New York where his father William was a U.S. Customs Officer. Beck did not receive a formal architectural education, rather he apprenticed as a draughtsman in the office of Buffalo architect W.H. Archer between 1893 and 1896. By 1897 he is listed in the Buffalo City Directory as an inspector in the city's Bureau of Buildings division and by 1903 he had been promoted to architect for the Bureau of Buildings. Although Beck held this position until 1930, it was not until 1917 that he was formally given registration to practice as an architect in New York State. In 1898 he married Ida F. Beck. The couple had no children and according to census records never owned a house. After they got married they resided at 334 Bryant Street until 1909 and then moved to 55 Manchester Place. In 1920 they moved to 594 Parkside Avenue. Howard, who was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Spanish American War died on November 25th, 1937.
As architect for the city Beck designed numerous buildings including schools, police stations, fire stations, and miscellaneous municipal buildings. Some of those buildings include: Hook & Ladder No. 10 at 731 Southside Parkway (1907); Hook & Ladder No. 11 at 636 Fillmore Avenue (1908); Hook and Ladder No. 12 at 395 Amherst Street (1913); Engine 36 Firehouse at 1655 Elmwood Avenue (1913), School No. 60 (1913); the City Barn on Hudson Street (1920); a detention center on West Ferry Street (1920), and a number of buildings in Olmsted's Park and Parkway System including the Point of the Meadow Shelter House, Delaware Park (1926); the Bandstand, Cazenovia Park (1926); the Casino, Martin Luther King Park (1926) and the Skating Warming House, Cazenovia Park (1926).
Beck's buildings tend to be stylistically consistent with major trends at the time of their construction. Hook & Ladder Nos. 10. 11 & 12 are similar front facing, Dutch-gable roof buildings with an arts and crafts sensibility. Engine 36 is a much larger arts and crafts building with broad overhanging eaves and outriggers and hose-tower. PS 60 lacks the ornamental detailing of PS 56, where corner quoins, an embellished center entrance and denticulated cornice are the only decorative motifs in an otherwise standardized plan. Beck's design at PS 56 is interesting in his use of both classical and Egyptian motifs. Though standardized and consistent with period publications in terms of classroom layout, window design, corridor width, hygiene and fireproof construction, Beck's use of a decorative tin ceiling in the corridor space seems somewhat unhygienic with crevices to hold dust and dirt in an otherwise modern school.
Ernest Crimi
Ernest Crimi was born in 1890 and attended Buffalo public schools and the Technical High School before studying architecture. He was a student of the landscape architect Bryant Fleming and began his career with the renowned firm of Green and Wicks, later Wicks and Hopkins, for about ten years before partnering with architect William Harries for five years.
In 1924, Crimi was appointed as head architect of the Buffalo School District's architecture division, which was responsible for designing many of the new schools and school additions erected in Buffalo during the late 1920s and early 1930s. During his time in this prestigious position, Crimi designed schools throughout the city of Buffalo, including Schools Nos. 6, 17, 28, 39, 53, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, Burgard Vocational High School and Emerson Vocational High School. His design for the 1930 addition to PS 44 is emblematic of his style within the standardized plans used throughout many of these schools. Crimi moved to California in the late 1930s, where he remained until he died of a heart attack at the age of 64.
Building Description
Buffalo Public School #44 (PS 44), also known as the Lincoln School, is located at 1369 Broadway in Buffalo, New York. The parcel is bounded by Broadway to the north, Person Street to the east, and Krupp Street to the west. The building is set back from the sidewalks and surrounded by a grassed lawn. To the south is a large asphalt parking lot. PS 44 is located approximately three miles east of Buffalo's central business district. Broadway features two vehicle lanes and two bike lanes running east/west, is characterized by commercial properties in the area surrounding the school, and with residential areas to the north and south of the street. There are a number of vacant lots on the residential streets.
The three-story, red brick building has a relatively unusual form for schools in Buffalo, and reflects three distinct building phases. The oldest portion of the building faces Krupp Street at the north corner of the site features an "E" type plan, and was designed by Howard L. Beck and constructed in 1907. Ernest Crimi's design enlarged the school in 1930 with an addition to the south and west, resulting in a "block" plan with an internal court space. In 1975 a two-story addition was added at the south end of the court space. Though separated by twenty-years, Crimi's design continued Beck's classical detailing, with engaged brick and terra cotta Ionic pilasters, corner quoins and limestone beltcourses and detailing on the north and west elevations. On the east elevation, facing Person Street, Crimi's design changed to precast concrete detailing and simplified Doric pilasters. The subtle differences between Beck's 1907 design and Crimi's 1930 addition become apparent only through close examination. The plan features a systematized path of double-loaded corridors that traverse the building in a rectangular shape. The classrooms receive light from the exterior walls and from windows looking out onto the court space. A large auditorium, gymnasium, pool and changing rooms are located at the south end of the building. The cafeteria is located at the northeast portion of the building, facing inward towards the court.
The Broadway elevation is classically detailed in the Renaissance Revival style with Onondaga limestone and white precast concrete trim set against red brick masonry. The three-story elevation is seventeen bays wide. At the fifth bay from the south the elevation is set back from the plane of the other bays. The elevation features a limestone watertable above a raised basement, and a limestone beltcourse between the first and second floors. The first floor is detailed with brick laid to give a rusticated appearance. Two-story Ionic pilasters, with red terra cotta capitals and bases, sit on top of the beltcourse between each window bay. The capitals support a corbelled entablature, finished with brick egg and dart moulding that extends across the elevation. Above the entablature is a parapet. To the south, the parapet is taller, before stepping down at the eighth bay. The corners to the north and south are detailed with brick quoins, while Ionic pilasters turn the corner between the fourth and fifth bays where the elevation steps back. The quoins at the raised basement to the north and south are quarry faced limestone. Within each window opening is a tripartite aluminum replacement unit with fixed, opaque upper sash and sliding lower sash. At the first floor is a limestone sill and lintel. At the second and third floors is a masonry jack arch with limestone keystone. The beltcourse functions as the sill at the second floor windows, while at the third floor the sills are limestone. The windows at the raised basement are aluminum, tripartite sliding units.
There are two entrances facing Broadway: one at the fourth bay from the south, the second at the fourth bay from the north. Both entrance bays project slightly forward beyond the plane of the wall at the first floor and feature paired doors with arched transom, set within a white precast concrete arch and surround. The entrance is completed with a denticulated cornice and iron balconette. Above the entrance to the south is a paired sliding glass replacement window, just below the beltcourse, while an aluminum tripartite unit is located between the first and second floors, indicating the location of a stair landing on the interior. Three small square windows, with a continuous limestone sill complete the bay.
The west elevation consists of three parts. To the north is a broad bay with similar detailing as seen on the north elevation; however, there are no windows on this bay. The bay, which is set slightly farther to the west than the rest of the elevation features brick corner quoins at the first and upper stories, and limestone quoins at the raised basement. The watertable and beltcourses visible on the north elevation continue along this bay. Two Ionic pilasters sit on top of the limestone beltcourse, adjacent to the brick quoins.
To the south, the elevation remains three stories for seventeen bays, before becoming a single story. The three-story portion of the elevation is not as tall as the bay to the north, and features simplified detailing. The watertable above the raised basement, and beltcourse between the first and second floors are white precast concrete, in contrast to the red brick. Doric pilasters, with precast base and capital sit on top of the beltcourse between each bay, supporting a simplified precast entablature. Above the entablature is a brick parapet. The first floor is detailed with brick, laid to give a rusticated appearance. The windows in each bay are similar to those on the north elevation, though not as tall. The precast watertable provides the sill for the windows at the first floor. There is no articulation at the head of these windows. The windows on the second floor sit on top of the beltcourse, while those on the third floor have a precast sill. A brick jack arch heads the windows on the second and third floors. There are no windows at the raised basement. At the fifth bay from the south a paired door with rectangular transom enters the building. The entrance is set back within a precast surround. Above the entrance the windows on the second and third floors retain the tripartite organization; however, the window opening is not as large. The window openings in the four bays to the south of the entrance are also not as large at the first floor.
The third part of the elevation is a single story in height. This portion of the elevation features smaller aluminum sliding glass windows, with precast sills. Brick quoins mark the corners of the bay.
The south elevation, which faces a parking lot, is utilitarian and consists of a single story portion housing mechanical spaces and the natatorium and a three-story portion set back, where the auditorium is located. Brick quoins turn the corners to the east and west. Simple, brick pilasters, lacking any ornamental detailing define each window bay at the upper floors. There are no windows on the second floor. The windows on the third floor are similar to those on the other elevations; however, the lack articulation at the head. To the east is a brick smokestack.
The east elevation consists of three parts: a single-story block to the south, and two three-story blocks connected by a recessed entrance bay. The single-story portion of the elevation is utilitarian with industrial metal sash windows. Mechanical spaces are located within this portion of the building.
The three-story blocks feature detailing seen on the north and west elevations. The block to the south is six bays wide, and is detailed with a white precast concrete watertable above the raised basement, and a precast beltcourse between the first and second floors. At the first floor the brick is laid to give a rusticated appearance. Above the beltcourse, and between each window bay at the second and third floors, are Doric pilasters with precast base and capital. A precast entablature, with brick parapet above, extends across this portion of the elevation. Precast corner quoins at the basement, and brick corner quoins above turn the corner at the outer bays. At the bay to the north watertable, beltcourse and brick detailing at the first floor turn the corner and extend back to the recessed entrance bay. The windows on the first floor have paired sliding units with an opaque rectangular transom above. The watertable acts as a sill and there is no articulation at the head of these windows. At the second and third floors are paired aluminum replacement windows with opaque upper sash. The beltcourse provides the sill at the second story windows, while at the third floor the sill is precast. Jack arches head the windows on the second floor and the entablature extends across the heads of the third floor windows. There are no windows at the raised basement.
The recessed entrance bay is three stories tall and features a single story entry accessed up concrete stairs with seven risers. The single story entrance features brick laid to give a rusticated appearance. The entrance has paired doors with rectangular transom set back within a precast surround and head. The doors are not original and the transom has been infilled. There are two windows on the second floor and two on the third. The windows feature sliding units with an opaque transom. The sills are precast and a jack arch is located at the head. At the first floor is a paired aluminum window. The Onondaga limestone watertable from the block to the north provides the sill for the window and a jack arch is located at the head. There are no windows at the raised basement.
To the north, the three-story block is detailed with Onondaga limestone trim and Ionic pilasters with red terra cotta bases and capital, organized in a similar manner as the north elevation. A limestone watertable above the basement and beltcourse between the second and third floors extend across the elevation. The first floor is detailed with brick, laid to give the appearance of rustication. At the basement are limestone corner quoins, while at the upper floors are masonry quoins. Each bay on the second and third floors is defined by engaged Ionic pilasters that sit on top of the beltcourse and extend to support a corbelled brick entablature with egg and dart molding. Above the entablature is a masonry parapet. A band of corrugated metals runs across the elevation at the parapet. The windows are aluminum tripartite units with opaque upper sash. At the first and third floors the sill is limestone. At the second floor the beltcourse provides the sill. Limestone lintels are located at the head of the windows on the first floor, while a jack arch with limestone key heads the windows on the second and third floors. Tripartite sliding windows are located at the basement. The outer bays step forward, giving this portion of the elevation a "U" shape. There is no fenestration on these bays, except for a window at the raised basement. To the south this block extends back three bays to connect with the recessed entrance.
The interior court is formed by the wall of the 1907 building to the east, the 1930 addition to the north and west and the 1975 addition to the south. A single story, corbie stepped gable bay with camelback tile coping is located to northeast in the court space. An ocular window is located in the parapet of the gable. To the west and north the elevations are three-stories in height. The windows on these elevations have a simple precast sill and lack articulation at the head. To the south, the three story elevation features windows set within brick piers. The brick on this elevation is brown, as opposed to the red brick seen on the other elevations. The floor of the court space is concrete, with shallow stairs navigating slight changes in grade.
The organization of the plan is somewhat irregular as a result of the 1930 addition to the south and west of the 1907 "E" - type plan. The plan features a systemized path of double-loaded corridors that traverse the building in a rectangle. The corridors are identified as North Corridor (running east/west along Broadway); East Corridor (running north-south along Krupp Street); South Corridor (running east/west adjacent to the parking lot) and West Corridor (running north/south along Person Street). To the south of the South Corridor are the auditorium, pool and mechanical spaces, each accessed off the first floor. Classrooms are located along the perimeter of the East and North Corridors, while the cafeteria is located at the northwest corner where the two corridors intersect. Classrooms are located on both sides of the West Corridor. Classrooms and spaces along the perimeter receive light and ventilation from windows facing the street, while those on the interior receive light and ventilation from the internal court space.
On each floor the West and South Corridors do not align with the North and East Corridors. Stairs, located at the northwest corner and southeast corner where the corridors intersect, access each floor. These stairs also navigate the different levels within each floor. The stair located at the entrance to the west on the north elevation only ascends to the first floor. The stair at the entrance to the east on the north elevation and at the entrance along the west elevation access each floor. The ceilings in the East Corridor and adjacent classrooms, and the cafeteria are pressed tin, visible above later dropped ceilings. At the other corridors and classrooms the ceilings are plaster, visible above later dropped ceilings and acoustical tiles. The floors are a combination of terrazzo, vinyl tile and hardwood. Original chalkboards, built-in furniture, wardrobes, and doors with transoms remain extant throughout.
There are three entrances into PS 44. The entrances to the east and west along Broadway, and to the south along Persons each lead to a stair. The stair to the west on Broadway only accesses the first floor. The stair to the east off Broadway connects the basement through third floors, as does the stair to the south on Person Street.
The stair to the east along Broadway has simple metal baluster rails detailed with a metal oval midway between each pair of rails, simple metal newel posts and oak handrails. An oak handrail is also located along the wall.
The risers are metal and the treads are slate. The stringer is detailed at the base and top with an egg and dart pattern in relief. The walls are plaster above beaded wood wainscot. Decorative pressed tin ceilings are visible at the landings. The floors at the landings have been covered with vinyl composition tile. Aluminum sliding replacement sash are located at each mid-floor landing.
The stairs to the west on Broadway and to the south on Person Street feature similar detailing. The metal pan stairs feature terrazzo treads and alternating metal spiral and square baluster rails, with simple metal newel posts and oak handrail. A simple scrolled metal bracket attaches to the stringer and every eighth baluster rail. The landing floors are terrazzo, although in some locations they have been covered with vinyl composition tile.
The there is a change in level on each floor. The South and West Corridors are located at a slightly lower level than the North and East Corridors on each floor. To navigate the change in level a stair is located to the northwest and to the southeast. These stairs also connect the basement through third floors. The detailing at these stairs is the same as the stairs to the west on Broadway and to the south on Person Street.
The basement features classrooms, mechanical spaces and crawl spaces. Classrooms are located along the outer perimeter of the east and north corridors. Stairs leading up to the cafeteria are located off the east corridor. At the southwest corner of the basement is the pool and equipment room. At the southeast corner are the boiler rooms mechanical spaces. The pool, boiler room and mechanical spaces are visible on the exterior as a single story. The pool is not accessible from the basement. The remainder of the basement features crawl spaces or unexcavated areas. The ceilings and floors in the corridors are concrete and the walls are exposed brick. The floors in the classrooms they are hardwood and the walls are generally plaster, although in some locations the brick remains exposed. In a number of locations the ceilings in the classrooms have been dropped. Original six light paneled stile and rail wood doors, chalkboards, with original wood trim, and built in cabinets remain extant in a number of locations. The original windows have been replaced aluminum sliding sash.
In addition to the basement, classrooms are located on the first, second and third floors. They are generally located on both sides of the West Corridor; to the north of the North Corridor, facing Broadway and to the east of the East Corridor facing Krupp Street. The corridors on each floor do not align. The North and East Corridors are located at a slightly higher level than the South and West Corridors.
The East Corridor features beaded wood wainscot, with plaster walls above and tin ceilings above dropped acoustical tile. The floors have been covered with vinyl tile. Terrazzo baseboards remain visible along the corridor suggesting the floor was also originally terrazzo. Original wood doors, with transom access the classrooms. The beaded wood wainscot continues within the classrooms off the east corridor. Above the wainscot are chalkboards with original wood trim. The wainscot continues around the windows, which retain original wood stools, aprons and casing. Built-in furniture and wardrobes remain extant within the classrooms. Tin ceilings are visible within the classrooms above dropped acoustical tile. The classrooms, windows and chalkboards are oriented such that light falls across the student desk from the left.
The girl's bathroom is located at the southwest corner of the corridor on each floor. The walls and floor of the bathroom are tile. At the windows the tiles curve to negotiate the change in plane between wall and window. In addition to classrooms this corridor accesses the cafeteria on the first floor, which is located to the northwest. Also on the first floor are smaller offices facing east, towards Broadway. At the south end the corridor connects with the auditorium on the first floor. Also to the south on the first floor are paired six-light doors leading to a vestibule and the entrance along the east elevation.
Stairs located toward the south end of the corridor connect the basement through third floor and also navigate the change in level that occurs within the corridor on each floor. At the north end of the corridor is a stair accessing the basement through third floor and the entrance at the northeast corner of the north elevation.
The west corridor features plaster walls and dropped acoustical tile ceilings, with plaster ceilings above. In some locations, acoustic tiles have been glued to the plaster ceiling. The floors have been covered with vinyl tile; however the baseboards are terrazzo suggesting that the original floors were also terrazzo and likely remain extant. Within the corridor, adjacent to the boy's bathroom at the southeast corner on each floor are tiled niches to accommodate water fountains. The boy's bathroom features ceramic tile floors and brick walls. The brick is curved at the window opening within the bathroom. This corridor connects with the pool to the south and with the auditorium stage located to the southeast on the first floor. At the south end of the corridor is a stair connecting the first through third floors. At the first floor a short corridor at this location, with terrazzo floors and baseboard, leads to paired six light wood doors and the vestibule at the entrance on the west elevation.
Classrooms are located on either side of the corridor. Original six-light stile and rail paneled wood doors with transom, dating to the 1930 addition, access each classroom. The classrooms to the east have windows that open to the court space, while those to the west face Person Street. The floors of the classroom have been covered with vinyl composition tile and the ceilings have been lowered with acoustical tile. The plaster ceiling remains visible above. Otherwise the classrooms retain a high level of integrity. Chalkboards, with original trim; built-in cabinets and wardrobes remain extant. The windows in the classrooms along the West Corridor are set within the masonry opening and have brick sills, in contrast to the windows in the classrooms along the East Corridor that are detailed with wooden aprons, stools and casing. This detail reflects the different construction periods. The windows detailed with wood trim are part of the 1907 construction, whereas those along the West Corridor reflect the 1930 addition and a change in standardized design practices. Each classroom is organized with regards to the placement of chalkboards and wardrobes such that light from the windows falls across the left hand of the student so as not to cast a shadow when writing.
On the second floor a large classroom is located on either side of the West Corridor. Built-in cabinets and chalkboards with original wood trim remain extant in these spaces. The floors have been covered with vinyl composition tile, the walls are plaster and a dropped, acoustical tile ceiling has been added. Above the acoustical tile the ceiling is plaster. The windows fit within the masonry opening and feature a simple brick sill.
At the north end of the corridor is a stair connecting all floors, including the basement. This stair also descends to connect with the North Corridor, navigating the change in level within each floor. At the far end of the corridor on the first floor is a stair leading down to a vestibule and the entrance to the west along the north elevation. The paired, six-light doors at the vestibule and single light paired doors at the entrance are original. The arched transom is no longer extant.
Classrooms are located to the north along the North Corridor, facing Broadway. To the south, at the west end is a girl's bathroom and to the east is a door leading to the cafeteria. Across the corridor from the girl's bathroom is a tiled niche where a water fountain is located. Also along this corridor on the south wall are paired windows facing the court space. The walls of the corridor are plaster and acoustical tile have been suspended from the original ceiling. The floors have been covered with vinyl tile; however, a terrazzo baseboard suggests that the original floors were terrazzo. The classrooms along this corridor retain original chalkboards and built-in wardrobes and cabinets. The windows are set within the masonry opening and have brick sills. The floors are covered with vinyl composition tile. The organization of the room is consistent with standardized planning where light falls across the left hand of the student.
The south corridor features plaster walls and a dropped acoustical tile ceiling. The floors have been covered with vinyl composition tile; however, terrazzo baseboards suggest the floor was also terrazzo and remains extant underneath. Lockers, set within the plane of the wall line the corridor suggesting that this is an original condition. To the southwest the corridor accesses the auditorium stage, while to the southeast it accesses the auditorium on the first floor. To the north, on the first and second floors, the corridor connects to an addition added outside the period of significance. The two-story contemporary addition features exposed brick walls and brick piers with glass in between facing the court space.
On the third floor aluminum replacement sliding window sash with brick sills are located on the north wall along the corridor. The windows look out onto the roof of the contemporary addition and the court space.
The auditorium is located to the south on the first floor. An entrance to the southwest at the South Corridor accesses the stage, while an entrance to the southeast leads to the auditorium floor. Paired, paneled wood doors at both entrances remain extant. The stage, located to the west is raised four risers above the auditorium floor, with curved steps to the north and south. The floor of the stage has been covered with vinyl composition tile. The proscenium opening features simple rope molding and panel detailing. The auditorium floor is concrete. The wood chairs remain extant. Aluminum replacement windows are located to the south, raised above the adjacent single story mechanical buildings. Wood wainscot with a simple chair rail surrounds the space. Above the chair rail the walls are plaster. A simple cornice surrounds the room. Acoustical tiles have been glued to the original ceiling. The lights are not original.
The natatorium is contained within the single story portion of the building located at the southwest corner. The "depth" of the pool is housed in the basement. The walls in the natatorium are brick and the pool is tile. Multi-light fixed metal sash windows are located to the south within original masonry openings. The original ceiling is covered with acoustical tile. To the north, on either side of the entrance corridor are built-in bleachers. Wood bench seats, supported by metal brackets line the three treads of the concrete seating steps. The bleachers, to the east and west of the entrance corridor are contained within buff masonry wing walls finished with a speckled concrete cap. To the east of the pool is the girl's locker room and to the west is the boy's. The locker rooms have a buff tile floor and brick walls.
The gymnasium is located above the auditorium on the third floor. Non-historic windows on the south elevation provide natural light into the gymnasium. The walls of the gymnasium are brick and the floors are hardwood. Acoustical tile has been added at the ceiling. The locker rooms are located on the second floor accessed from the gym by a set of stairs to the east and west. The girl's locker room is located to the east, while boy's is to the west. The walls in the locker rooms are brick and the floors are tile.
The cafeteria extends into the court space at the northeast corner of the building. This space was part of the 1907 construction and originally functioned as the gymnasium/auditorium space. The volume is contained within a corbie step, or crow step, gable roof, visible on historic photos and from within the court space. Given its historic function, and the necessity for tall ceilings, the space extends below the first floor level and is accessed from the basement via a set of stairs the go up, and from the North and East Corridors via a set of stairs that go down. The ceilings of the cafeteria are decorative pressed tin, visible above a dropped acoustical tile ceiling. The floors are concrete and the walls are plaster. Replacement aluminum window sash on the south and west walls look out into the court space.
An apartment is located at the southwest corner of the third floor. It is likely that the building caretaker stayed in this unit, which features a bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and fireplace with brick firebox, tile hearth and wood mantle and surround. Built-in book shelves are located on either side of the fireplace. To the south of the living room is a large room that functioned as a home economics class. The floors of the apartment have been covered with vinyl composition tile, and the plaster ceilings with acoustical tile. The walls are plaster. The windows are replacement aluminum sliding sash units with wood aprons, stools and casing.
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
North elevation looking southwest from across Broadway. Note the change in parapet height marks the location where the 1930 addition was added to the east. The addition features similar detailing to the 1907 portion of the building on this elevation (2017)
East elevation and partial north elevation looking southwest from the intersection of Broadway and Person Street (2017)
Looking north showing south elevation. Single story portion to the east houses mechanical space; single story portion to the west houses the natatorium and the auditorium is housed in the three story portion. This portion of the school was constructed in (1930)
Looking northeast showing west elevation from across Krupp Street (2017)
Looking southeast from Broadway showing partial west and north elevations (2017)
Looking south from North Corridor, 3rd floor showing corbie stepped gable at 1907 cafeteria, west elevation of 1907 classroom wing, north and east elevations of 1930 addition, and roof and partial north elevation of 1975 addition (2017)
Looking southwest toward stair at East Corridor leading up towards 2nd floor and down towards portion of East Corridor located at a lower level. Note terrazzo floors and treads and metal newel posts and decorative baluster rails with brackets (2017)
Looking southeast into classroom at southeast corner behind auditorium. Note original chalkboard, VCT floors, dropped acoustical tile ceiling (2017)
Looking west into Auditorium, 1st floor located to the north of the South Corridor. Note original seating, proscenium opening plaster walls, and cornice. Acoustical tiles have been glued to the ceiling (2017)
