THEN

This elementary school was erected in 1906-08. With decorative features inspired by buildings constructed during the Georgian, Colonial, and Federal periods, it once dominated the block, rising above groups of row houses and neighboring tenements. Open to all, rather than members of specific religions, the five-story red brick facade is enlivened by burnt headers and, atop the projecting end bays, florid decorative pediments. Like Public School 290 on East 82nd Street, the first story has several cartouches, including the seal of New York City (a sailor and native American figure flanking a windmill) and the seal of the Board of Education (an open book), which was adopted in 1898. After 1926, it became Harlem Continuation School, a part-time vocational high school.