Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Building, Education

Location

Fonthill Castle, Bronx, NY 10471, USA

Lat/Long

40.913294194806, -73.909047167609

Grant Recipient

Sisters of Charity of New York

The Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul of New York and their ongoing charitable work can be seen in most corners of New York. Central to their history is the formation of the Academy of Mount Saint Vincent, which offered educational opportunities to children throughout New York City beginning in 1847.

When it was first formed by the Sisters of Charity shortly after they became an independent congregation, the academy was located at McGow[a]n’s pass, which would soon become the site of one of New York city’s most famous landmarks: Central Park. There, the Sisters of Charity would offer a rigorous education, making it, as described on the College of Mount Saint Vincent website, “the first institution to offer higher learning for women in New York.”

In the 1850s—in part due to the planning of Central Park, and in part due to increasing demands to upon their services—the Sisters of Charity purchased property in Riverdale along the Hudson River from famed Shakespearean actor Edwin Forrest to continue and grow their operation. Shortly after acquiring the land, the Sisters of Charity began construction of the Academy, which would also house the Chapel. In 1859 the Academy of Mount Saint Vincent moved to the new building, where it would continue to operate until 1943, and is where this historical marker stands. During this period, the Academy shared the space with the College of Mount Saint Vincent—also established by the Sisters of Charity—starting in 1911.

Due to the growth of the College and the needs of additional space, the Academy would move in 1943 to the picturesque village of Tuxedo Park, where it would operate until closing in 1972, leaving behind an immeasurable legacy to the students who spent their formative years there. The former Academy space where this marker stands remains in use by the College of Mount Saint Vincent as their main administrative building and is now known as Founder’s Hall.

For more information on the Sisters of Charity, Visit

Links

• https://scny.org/about-us/our-history/