American People's School
The American People's School of New York City, based in the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx, was a 20th-century American cooperative adult school based on the Danish folk school model.[1] Founded by Soren A. Mathiasen, it existed from 1934 to 1945.[2] Classes were offered in "music, painting, propaganda analysis, handicrafts, and the arts and sciences."[3]
History
The school was located at 67 Stevenson Place.[4][5] As explained in one memoir, "Forty [creative artists] came to New York on grants and endowments from all over the United States...They were in a building which belonged to the Ruth St. Denis School for Dance and which had been converted into studios for these young artists. In return for room and board, they were required to teach other students who would come to the school on a daily basis...There was only one paid person in the school, and that was me, the cook."[6] The School for Dance, run by Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, was also known as the Denishawn House, prior to 1934.[7][8]
Students of Carl Nelson when he taught at the school included painter Charles Wadsworth and photographer George Daniell.[9][10] A group called Squares and Rounds used the space to demonstrate historic American dances.[11]
References
- ↑ "A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OPEN ON "PEOPLE'S COLLEGE" PLAN; No Lectures, Quizzes or Credits Are Given in System Brought From Denmark". The New York Times. August 5, 1928. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
- ↑ Hauser, Gerard A. (January 7, 2014). Jackson, Brian; Clark, Gregory (eds.). Trained Capacities: John Dewey, Rhetoric, and Democratic Practice. University of South Carolina Press. p. 135. doi:10.2307/j.ctv6wgk50.11. ISBN 978-1-61117-319-2. JSTOR j.ctv6wgk50.
- ↑ "Cooperative School Is Subject of Talk Before Church Group". Mount Vernon Argus. May 9, 1940. p. 12. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
- ↑ ARTnews. ARTnews Associates. 1940. p. 11.
- ↑ Digital Collections, The New York Public Library. "(cartographic) Double Page Plate No. 33, Part of Section 12, Borough of the Bronx: [Bounded by Van Cortlandt Park South, Saxon Avenue, Sedgwick Avenue, W. 238th Street, Bailey Avenue, W. 236th Street and Broadway] (1938)". The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations. Retrieved 2026-07-22.
- ↑ Silverstein, Bob (1991). My Mother's Cookbook: Ethnic Recipes and Remembrances. SP Books. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-56171-073-7.
- ↑ Larkin, Gary (February 23, 2024). "Denishawn House: The gem in Van Cortlandt Village". The Riverdale Press. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
- ↑ Martin, John (November 11, 1934). "THE DANCE: MISS GRAHAM; Season's Debut of a Popular American Artist -- Programs of the Week". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
- ↑ "George Daniell Biography | Annex Galleries Fine Prints". www.annexgalleries.com. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
- ↑ "Charles Wadsworth (1917-2002) Old Dachshund Buffy, 1970". bid.peterboroughauctions.us. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
- ↑ Martin, John (April 9, 1939). "THE DANCE: MISS JUNGER; An Admirable Artist Who Should Be Seen More Often--Coming Events". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-21.