Pocantico Hills Central School
A History and Archive
Pocantico Hills Central School opened on Sept. 7, 1932, Sleepy Hollow, NY - (current main building, below, with expansion in 1955, above). Pocantico Hills has historical links to the Revolutionary War, NY Hudson Valley Architecture, and the Rockefeller's Philanthropy for Public Education.
(Did you know there were 5 different Pocantico school houses from at least the early 1800's?! See below!)
If you're lucky enough to have attended PHS, visit the Pocantico Alumni Page!
Table of Contents
- Governor & Mrs. Rockefeller vote at Pocantico Hills School, 1970 November 3
- Pocantico in the Movies: The Great Gilly Hopkins (2015), The Rebound (2009), As Good as It Gets (1997)
- U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama talks with students from PHS... (Sept. 24, 2010)
Overview of dates and aerial locations maps of school houses.
- Squash Hill
- Ferguson House/Wheeler Hill
- Lyceum
- Pocantico Union Free School
- Pocantico Hills Central School- 1955/1974 expansions. Pool & Recreation Area, The Toll House
- Butler's Sawmill
- Ferguson Icehouses
- Berkeley Hotel
- St. Mathew's Military School
- Christian Brothers Normal College
Historic Maps of the Pocantico Area. 1872, 1901, 1911, 1914, 1929-1931
History, Ads for events, Firehouse
- Historic Sleepy Hollow Schools
- Pocantico Historical Research Paper, from Rockefeller Archives
- Pocantico on TV 1957 "Let's Take a Trip"
- Personal Ephemera
Pocantico Events...
Governor & Mrs. Rockefeller vote at Pocantico Hills School, 1970 November 3
Sept. 24, 2010- U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama talks with students from PHS...
Pocantico IN the Movies!
The Great Gilly Hopkins (2015) Filmed at Pocantico with students as extras. Starring Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, Octavia Spenser, Julia Stiles and Sophie Nélisse. (rated PG)
The Great Gilly Hopkins (2015) Filmed at Pocantico with students as extras. Starring Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, Octavia Spenser, Julia Stiles and Sophie Nélisse. (rated PG)
The Rebound (2009), starring Catherine Zeta-Jones. Portions filmed on streets of Tarrytown, Pocantico Hills (Sleepy Hollow), and outside the Pocantico Hills School. (rated R)
As Good As it Gets (1997) starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear. Filmed in Pocantico Hills on Route 117 by Rockefeller Estate. (rated PG-13)
Timeline of Pocantico School Houses
Pocantico School Buildings Locations- Total of 5 separate school houses!
Building #1: Pre-1880's Squash Hill School
Located approx. where the current school is, s.e. corner of Bedford Rd. and Raffenberg Rd, on 1872 map. It was one room, unpainted, and held up by a pole. Dates back to at least 1830's.
Located approx. where the current school is, s.e. corner of Bedford Rd. and Raffenberg Rd, on 1872 map. It was one room, unpainted, and held up by a pole. Dates back to at least 1830's.
May 28, 1898
Daniel Van Tassel Gives the Results of His Investigations of Many Years.
Notes: Mentions "Straw Schoolhouse" on Bedford Road.
"About three years ago, desiring to get at the facts, I made searches of all town and county records and interviewed a large number of old people who were born in the Hollow. The conclusion was that no schoolhouse ever stood in the Hollow until about sixty-two years ago. I found that all of the very old people attended at the Squash Hill School, located on the Bedford Road at Pocantico Hills."
Daniel Van Tassel Gives the Results of His Investigations of Many Years.
Notes: Mentions "Straw Schoolhouse" on Bedford Road.
"About three years ago, desiring to get at the facts, I made searches of all town and county records and interviewed a large number of old people who were born in the Hollow. The conclusion was that no schoolhouse ever stood in the Hollow until about sixty-two years ago. I found that all of the very old people attended at the Squash Hill School, located on the Bedford Road at Pocantico Hills."
Building # 2: 1880's-1893 Pocantico Hills School (Ferguson House/ Wheeler Hill)
Land was deeded for one dollar by Harriet Wheeler. In the 1880s the Pocantico Hills School was located on the south side of Bedford Road, several hundred yards southeast of the Lowery mansion. By 1893 the school had outgrown its building, and the trustees rented the Lyceum as a classroom for the primary grades and employed another teacher. In 1895 it was determined by the community to build a new school. The one-story frame structure and is known as the Ferguson House/Wheeler Hill. It was razed in 1972 for new school expansion. Located approximately where tennis courts are today.
Land was deeded for one dollar by Harriet Wheeler. In the 1880s the Pocantico Hills School was located on the south side of Bedford Road, several hundred yards southeast of the Lowery mansion. By 1893 the school had outgrown its building, and the trustees rented the Lyceum as a classroom for the primary grades and employed another teacher. In 1895 it was determined by the community to build a new school. The one-story frame structure and is known as the Ferguson House/Wheeler Hill. It was razed in 1972 for new school expansion. Located approximately where tennis courts are today.
1880-1893 Ferguson House/Wheeler Hill, circled on map (undated circa 1900).
Note: The ice houses are where the current pool is located.
Building #3: Lyceum, built 1890, used temporarily as school 1893-1897
Library and community center. Located where the firehouse is now. See below for more on Lyceum.
Building # 4: 1897- 1932 Pocantico Union Free School
On a one acre tract donated by John D, Rockefeller, Sr., near the Rock Cut, the new school opened in September 1897. It was 4 rooms for 3 teachers. This building has since been razed. Ray B. Walker was Principal from 1922-1931, and continued as first Principal of Pocantico Hills Central School in 1932.
On a one acre tract donated by John D, Rockefeller, Sr., near the Rock Cut, the new school opened in September 1897. It was 4 rooms for 3 teachers. This building has since been razed. Ray B. Walker was Principal from 1922-1931, and continued as first Principal of Pocantico Hills Central School in 1932.
June 19, 1931 Closing Program
1897-1932 school house - Location, near second rock cut. (source: https://giswww.westchestergov.com/HistoricalAerial/MapContent.htm)
1926 aerial photo showing 1897 school
1926 aerial photo showing 1897 school
1897 school location today
1897 school location today
Ray B. Walker, Principal
(Building # 5): 1932-September 7th-Present, Pocantico Hills Central School Opens - Current Main Building.
John D. Rockefeller, Sr. and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. advocated for a new school for many years. They insisted that it be an elementary / grade school. By January 1930 members met at the Lyceum to form Pocantico School District, abandoning Sleepy Hollow and East View Schoolhouses. In 1931 several acres were donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and paid half the price of the school. Opened Sept. 7, 1932.
Ray B. Walker was first Principal until 1949.
John D. Rockefeller, Sr. and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. advocated for a new school for many years. They insisted that it be an elementary / grade school. By January 1930 members met at the Lyceum to form Pocantico School District, abandoning Sleepy Hollow and East View Schoolhouses. In 1931 several acres were donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and paid half the price of the school. Opened Sept. 7, 1932.
Ray B. Walker was first Principal until 1949.
The walls of the original 1932 PHS cafeteria- Murals by WPA artist Victor Pedrotti Trent. They were painted on canvas and on all four walls. The original cafeteria was located on the second floor above the old library.
Students at Pocantico Hills Central School swimming in the pond (circa 1940), before the pool.
1945 Graduation Program
1955- Pocantico Expansion #1 Opens
Includes: Elementary Classrooms, library, auditorium
Includes: Elementary Classrooms, library, auditorium
1958- Pocantico outdoor pool opens
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. donates land, $350,000, swimming pool, bathhouse, and tennis courts to Board of Education as recreation center for area.
1974- Pocantico 2nd Expansion (Ray B. Walker Addition)
Groundbreaking on January 23, 1972 by N.Y. Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller
Expansion includes: middle school area, gym, locker rooms
2007- Pocantico renovation with $5 million bond
2011- Pocantico Pool redesign.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. donates land, $350,000, swimming pool, bathhouse, and tennis courts to Board of Education as recreation center for area.
1974- Pocantico 2nd Expansion (Ray B. Walker Addition)
Groundbreaking on January 23, 1972 by N.Y. Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller
Expansion includes: middle school area, gym, locker rooms
2007- Pocantico renovation with $5 million bond
2011- Pocantico Pool redesign.
The existing pool was demolished, saving as much of the the stone veneer retaining walls as possible. Site worked included:
Stone veneer retaining walls and stairs. Secure entry points with ornamental wrought iron style fencing.
Concrete pool decks. Seating built into the hillside. Drainage on the pool decks. Landscaping.
Stone veneer retaining walls and stairs. Secure entry points with ornamental wrought iron style fencing.
Concrete pool decks. Seating built into the hillside. Drainage on the pool decks. Landscaping.
The Toll House: In the 1930's, teachers from Pocantico lived here. It was sold in the 1970's. Unknown why it is called the Toll House, perhaps because the road once had a toll.
Articles on the conception and building of 1932 Pocantico Hills Central School & the Rockefeller Estate (New York Times, Tarrytown Daily News)
January 7, 1930
1996 Cornerstone Celebration- PHS Project
Story of the Project
As part of the celebration to commemorate the sixty-fifth anniversary of Pocantico Hills School, the seventh grade class at Pocantico Hills School was given the opportunity to make models of Pocantico Hills as it looked in the early twentieth century. Union Church, Mary Magdalene Church, Pocantico Hills School, The Lyceum, the Toll House and the Train Station were researched and reconstructed.
Ruth Weyland, our art teacher, and Stuart Zaiman, our industrial arts teacher, had the inspiration for the project. The project was part of the art and technology curriculum and most of the work was done in class. It began in September 1996, and was completed by the end of the year. Teachers, students, and seventh grade parents, Mrs. Giordano and Mrs. Yu, worked enthusiastically and diligently every school day as well as several Saturday mornings. Even Mrs. Gloria Colucci, our Assistant Superintendent, and John Cohen, architect and community member, offered us their expertise.
(Text and photos from original project)
As part of the celebration to commemorate the sixty-fifth anniversary of Pocantico Hills School, the seventh grade class at Pocantico Hills School was given the opportunity to make models of Pocantico Hills as it looked in the early twentieth century. Union Church, Mary Magdalene Church, Pocantico Hills School, The Lyceum, the Toll House and the Train Station were researched and reconstructed.
Ruth Weyland, our art teacher, and Stuart Zaiman, our industrial arts teacher, had the inspiration for the project. The project was part of the art and technology curriculum and most of the work was done in class. It began in September 1996, and was completed by the end of the year. Teachers, students, and seventh grade parents, Mrs. Giordano and Mrs. Yu, worked enthusiastically and diligently every school day as well as several Saturday mornings. Even Mrs. Gloria Colucci, our Assistant Superintendent, and John Cohen, architect and community member, offered us their expertise.
(Text and photos from original project)
PHS Art & Design
Library Art- (years?)
Middle School Water Fountain Ceramics
Before Pocantico Hills Central School (pre-1932) In the area...
Butler's Sawmill (1800's) - Located approx. where pool and recreation are.
Before 1925 D.E. Perry's Ice-houses were located below Ferguson Lake, where the pool is now. Ice was collected from the lake in winter and stored.
Berkeley Inn - 1886(?)-1899
St. Mathew's Military School 1899-1931
In 1899 the Berkeley Inn closed, and the buildings were taken over by St. Mathew's Military School. Included a dormitory for 60 students, stables, armory, bowling alley. After several years the school was moved to Dobbs Ferry and the property acquired by the Rockefeller's. Located by Lake #2.
In 1899 the Berkeley Inn closed, and the buildings were taken over by St. Mathew's Military School. Included a dormitory for 60 students, stables, armory, bowling alley. After several years the school was moved to Dobbs Ferry and the property acquired by the Rockefeller's. Located by Lake #2.
St. Joseph's Normal College 1900-1930
Run by the Lasallian Christian Brothers; opened in 1906 and moved to Barrytown in 1930. Land was acquired by Rockefeller Estate in 1928, adjoining property. Located north on Bedford Rd. of current school. 5 stories on 300 acres. Razed in 1930.
Maps of Pocantico Hills
1867 Map, with Squash Hill School in Dist. 3
1872 Map, before Rockefeller land purchases. (Note School #3- Squash Hill School location, and Hotel (Berkeley Inn- then became St. Mathew's Military School)
1901 Maps, Pocantico School location (building #2) and St. Mathew's Military School, Church of the Magdalene
1911 Maps with Pocantico School location (#2) and St. Joseph's Normal School (Christian Brothers)
1914 Map of Pocantico. Unnamed school approx. located where Pocantico Hills Central School is today. (Ferguson House?)
1929-1931 Maps with 1897 School, Union Church, Church of the Magdalene
1901 / Today Map Overlay
Pocantico Hills Lyceum, Oct. 19, 1890-1930, -- school, library, town center for meetings, church services and social events. Library items were moved in 1932 to new school.
In 1930, the Lyceum Building became the home of the Pocantico Firehouse. In 1969 the Lyceum was razed for the new firehouse.
In 1930, the Lyceum Building became the home of the Pocantico Firehouse. In 1969 the Lyceum was razed for the new firehouse.
Pocantico WW2 Veterns at the Lyceum.
The lyceum firehouse.
Feb 1952 Lyceum Firehouse
Pocantico Lyceum Events - circa 1910-'s-1920's, Tarrytown Daily News
Pocantico Lyceum Library Records, 1890's
Sleepy Hollow School Buildings 1865-1931 (Source: In M. Marshall & S. Mascia (2010). Children at School. Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow in the 20th century)
Historical Research about Pocantico, with school details- (circa 1970's)
Pocantico Hills School on TV- November 10, 1957 CBS- New York, Noon... where is the kinescope?!
"Let's Take a Trip," New York-based Sunday-morning series in which youngsters accompanied host Sonny Fox on field trips to such places as the UN and the School of American Ballet, where George Balanchine choreographed `Yankee Doodle Dandy' for the kids.
"Let's Take a Trip," New York-based Sunday-morning series in which youngsters accompanied host Sonny Fox on field trips to such places as the UN and the School of American Ballet, where George Balanchine choreographed `Yankee Doodle Dandy' for the kids.
Yearbook Highlights
My cherished times at Pocantico!
Bibliography:
Blacksberg, Bob, Facebook correspondence , 2020
Graham, Bill. Facebook correspondence , 2020
J.V. De Michele, Facebook
Hille, R. T., & Hille, R. T. (2011). Postwar Modern Schools, 1940s & 1950s. In Modern schools: A century of design for education (pp. 104-105). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Historical Society of Tarrytown (2017). School Days. Images of America Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow (p. 71). Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub.
https://www.appelosborne.com/portfolio/k-12-education/pocantico-hills-central-school/
https://archivesleuth.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/the-eastview-trestle/
https://archivesspace.manhattan.edu/agents/331?agent_type=agent_corporate_entity
https://bt-wpstatic.freetls.fastly.net/wp-content/blogs.dir/720/files/2017/05/Pocantico-shcools.jpg
https://cciv.westchesterclerk.com/ImageViewer/HistoricalAerialViewerPDF.aspx?A9A88775A3B48F56E486C8055725B02BA10D5E9A035EF6585248502E691F5E8A&ENCRYPTED=
https://www.facebook.com/wbgjr/media_set?set=a.3031908366852445&type=3
http://oripter.com/catholic%20retired%20school%20new%20york.html
https://pocantico.pocanticohills.org
https://storage.rockarch.org/FA443_4.pdf
https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/x/202662/
https://westchester.pastperfectonline.com/bysearchterm?keyword=Mount+Pleasant+-+Pocantico+Hills+-+Schools
https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~30341~1140858:9-Atlas-rural-country-district-nort?qvq=w4s:/who%2FE.%2BBelcher%2BHyde;lc:RUMSEY~8~1&mi=15&trs=24#
http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=1448
https://www.openstreetmap.org
Ibid, 42-47; Personal Interview, Wylock with Bearss, March 13, 1970
In M. Marshall & S. Mascia (2010). Children at School. Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow in the 20th century (p. 41). Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub.
Kostich, J. L. (2013). History of Pocantico Hills: 1880 to the present. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified.
Newcastle Tribune, The
New York Times, The
Rockefeller Archives, The
Tarrytown Daily News, The
https://www.facebook.com/groups/525494101459658/?ref=gs&tn-str=%2AF&fref=gs&dti=525494101459658&hc_location=group_dialog
https://www.facebook.com/groups/525494101459658/permalink/526775634664838/?comment_id=527693697906365
https://www.facebook.com/lorraine.scuccimarra?eid=ARBNcv-lJFBrTiDKaLj6EuOA18KXXCBR9pe4aUxLqu5MD3XcPlBkB1gAJaNi8XVIZmtEQOu1mS_6yv5c
In memorial of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., and John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who built Pocantico Hills Central School, with passion and philanthropy for public education.
This is an educational, non-profit, research archival project.
Digital items are property of their respective copyright holders.
An archival & history research project to
preserve and teach history of Pocantico Hills School.
Collect information and ephemera.
Connect alumni, former students, teachers, staff and share stories, pictures, and memorabilia.
Teach current students local history and research.
This is an educational, non-profit, research archival project.
Digital items are property of their respective copyright holders.
An archival & history research project to
preserve and teach history of Pocantico Hills School.
Collect information and ephemera.
Connect alumni, former students, teachers, staff and share stories, pictures, and memorabilia.
Teach current students local history and research.
Updated 5/2/2020