The Doorway of Opportunity

The Poppenhusen Institute was built in 1868 with funds donated by Conrad Poppenhusen, a German immigrant and the benefactor of College Point, New York. The original charter specified that it be open to all, irrespective of race, creed or religion, giving people the opportunity to improve their lives either by preparing them for better job or improving their leisure time.

The institute housed the Justice of the Peace, the first home of the College Point Savings Bank, German Singing Societies, The First Reformed Church, the first library in the area, a court room, the Sheriff’s Office (2 jail cells remain today), as well as the first free kindergarten in the United States which began here on July 1st, 1870.