Historic Carroll Gardens Kindergarten Landmarked

CARROLL GARDENS, BROOKLYN — Brooklyn's first free-standing kindergarten has been designated a historical landmark, preservationists announced Tuesday.

The Hans S. Christian Memorial Kindergarten at 236 President St. and the former Brooklyn Deaconess Home at 238 President St. in Carroll Gardens were granted landmark status by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday, officials announced.

“The Commission is proud to designate the Hans S. Christian Memorial Kindergarten,” said LPC vice chair Frederick Bland. “These two properties are distinguished by their architecture and share a great history of education and social reform in Brooklyn.”

The Hans S. Christian Memorial Kindergarten was commissioned in 1897 by Elmira Christian — a prominent member of the Brooklyn Free Kindergarten Society who helped establishing Brooklyn's first free kindergarten at the Warren Street Methodist Church— and designed by architects William C. Hough and Edgar Deuell, Jr., preservationists said.

The Beaux-Arts building features a sprawling reception room, large classrooms filled with natural light, an ornate entrance portico and a frieze panel that honors Christian's late husband and reads, “Christian Memorial.”

That same year, Christian bought the three-story Anglo-Italianate style mansion built next door and opened the Brooklyn Deaconess Home for the Brooklyn Church Society, where young women were trained to serve Brooklyn’s poor, immigrant communities.

When Christian died in 1899, she donated both houses to the Methodist Episcopal Church and left endowments for their renovations and construction.

"These buildings are more than just brick and mortar," said Congress Member Nydia M. Velázquez. "Their history reflects the longstanding commitment of Brooklynites to serving their neighbors and community.”

The Hans S. Christian Memorial Kindergarten was relocated in 1908 and, in 1938, the deaconess training center became the home of musician Joan Baez' grandfather Rev. Alberto Baez, his wife Thalia, and his son and prominent physicist Albert Baez.

The Hans S. Christian Memorial Kindergarten is currently a private home and 238 President St. is an apartment building.

“I’m beyond thrilled that the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to preserve 236 and 238 President Street in Carroll Gardens,” said Council Member Brad Lander.

“The beautiful, historic nature of many of the buildings in Carroll Gardens is one reason why so many people love living in the neighborhood."

Photo courtesy of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission