“What was here before?” That’s a question worth pondering as we gather at Sidney Hillman Playground. This very ground was once part of the vast 339-acre Delancey estate. It stretched from east of the Bowery all the way from Division Street north to Houston Street.
After the Revolutionary War, things changed. The Delanceys, loyal to the English Crown, were forced into exile. New York State confiscated their land.
During the Industrial Revolution, this area became home to factory workers. They lived in tenement housing. These were often retrofitted warehouses. Think communal bathrooms and windowless apartments. The unsanitary living conditions led to disease outbreaks. This spurred legislative reforms to protect New Yorkers’ health.
But how did this site become Sidney Hillman Playground?
In 1948, NYC Parks acquired this land at the intersection of Lewis and Delancey Streets. A renovation in 1993 removed a 10-foot wall. This wall had separated the playground from the adjacent P.S. 110. Now, the playground serves both the school and the local community.
Sidney Hillman Playground honors a significant figure. It is named for labor leader Sidney Hillman who lived from 1887 to 1946. He inspired the surrounding cooperative housing development.
Hillman’s early life shaped his path. Born into a Jewish rabbinical family in Russia, he fled anti-Semitic violence in 1907. He immigrated to the United States. His experiences as a peasant fueled his activism in the American labor movement.
Arriving in Chicago, Hillman found work as a garment worker. In 1910, he led a successful strike. This marked the beginning of his involvement in the American labor movement. Four years later, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America elected him union president.
Some considered Hillman a radical. But he gained support from prominent social reformers. Lillian Wald, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, and Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins all backed him.
Hillman’s legacy extends beyond labor rights. He championed affordable, cooperative housing. In 1926, the ACW formed the Amalgamated Housing Corporation. Its goal was to provide low-cost, quality housing for its members.
The AHC cleared 65 tenement buildings along Grand Street. They constructed cooperative housing projects. These projects transformed low-to-middle-income housing. The developments fostered community. They had cooperative boards and newsletters.
Upon its completion in 1951, the AHC named the adjacent development in honor of Hillman. So, as you explore Sidney Hillman Playground remember the history beneath your feet. Remember the man who fought for workers’ rights and affordable housing. This playground stands as a testament to his enduring impact on New York City.