THE CANUCK NURSES OF 172 LAFAYETTE (1909)
******************************************************************************************************************************** Brownstone Detectives investigates the history of our clients’ homes. The story you are about to read was composed from research conducted in the course of one of those investigations. Do you know the history of YOUR house? ******************************************************************************************************************************** During the late 19th century, when much of New York City’s brownstone stock was constructed, many of these townhouses were initially used as the clubhouses for any number of the organizations and clubs existent then. There were Republican and Democratic clubs, bicycling clubs, social clubs, actors’ guilds, athletic clubs, and countless other organizations dedicated to the betterment and/or pleasure of their memberships. Those clubs with the money and the membership were able to afford to purchase – or rent – a brownstone for the use of its membership. In 1909, at No. 172 Lafayette Avenue, a club for graduates of the “Brooklyn Hospital Training School for Nurses” – which was “always in reach of doctors” – was set up,” noted the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. The purpose of the club was as a social center and a business office for nurses, as well as a location where they could “entertain their friends.” The Nurses Club, only in existence for a “couple of years” by that point, had – in that short period of time – made “enviable progress.” Previously located at No. 255 Carlton avenue, it was not long before the capacity of that house was taxed to its limits. In 1909, the pressure became so great that this larger clubhouse on […]
