“Ever wonder what secrets lie behind those walls?” I ask gesturing towards Dominican Academy. This isn’t just another school building. It’s a piece of New York City history. It’s a place where young women have been thriving for generations.
Dominican Academy stands tall on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. This private all-girls school has a rich story dating back to 1897. The Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs, now known as Dominican Sisters of Peace, founded it.
Originally, Dominican Academy was a co-educational school. It served students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. In 1936, the Academy found its permanent home. It moved to 44 East 68th Street, the former Friedsam mansion.
Colonel Michael Friedsam, a prominent figure, once owned this building. He was the president of B. Altman and Co. Friedsam was also a renowned art collector. Frederick Frost designed the six-story limestone building. Samuel Yellin crafted the wrought ironwork.
Imagine the mansion in its prime. Friedsam’s art collection was worth millions. Masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Botticelli adorned the walls. After Friedsam’s death in 1931, his collection was split. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum received his treasures.
The Dominican Sisters acquired the building in 1936. The executors of Friedsam’s estate allowed them to use it for a nominal fee. The agreement stipulated that it must always be used for educational purposes. The first class graduated from Dominican Academy at this location in 1939.
Many original architectural elements remain intact. Carved marble fireplaces, stained glass windows, and ornate woodwork offer an unique learning environment.
Dominican Academy is more than just a beautiful building. It is an accredited institution. The New York State Association of Independent Schools and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools recognize it. The Academy has received national recognition. It twice won the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Award of Excellence. The United States Department of Education gives this prestigious award.
In recent years, Dominican Academy has undergone enhancements. Two full-sized classrooms were added. The library and chapel were reconfigured. Technology and security infrastructure were also upgraded.
Dominican Academy continues to uphold its legacy. It provides a top-tier Catholic secondary education for young women. The school fosters Veritas. It means truth in Latin. It encourages its students to excel academically and personally. It prepares them to make a difference in the world.