Regis High School
55 East 84th Street | also 46 East 85th Street, 51 East 84th Street | Upper East Side | built 1917
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The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.
Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.
- 1914
Julia Grant's anonymous gift founds a free Jesuit school for Catholic boys
After her husband, former mayor Hugh J. Grant, died in 1910, Julia M. Grant handed a Jesuit priest, David W. Hearn, an envelope with the money to start a school, on condition that her name stay secret. The school opened in 1914 and charges no tuition, giving preference to boys who could not otherwise afford Catholic schooling. Until the late 1960s the Grant family treated Regis as their private charity.
“From its opening in 1914 until the late 1960s, Regis was regarded by Julia Grant and her children as their private charity.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1917
Maginnis & Walsh build a five-story Ionic school around a courtyard
Regis was built from 1913 to 1917 to a design by Maginnis & Walsh. It is five stories of stone arranged around a central courtyard so that most classrooms open onto it. On 84th Street, engaged Ionic columns rise through four stories over an administrative base, spaced widely enough to light a library and classrooms. The 85th Street side encloses an auditorium on the lower three floors and laboratories above.
“…the architects planned their building around a central courtyard with most of the classrooms opening on it…”
- 1917
Latin inscriptions carry the Jesuit motto across the school's two facades
The entablature over the 84th Street front is inscribed 'Deo Et Patriae Pietas Christiana Erexit', which the landmarks report translates as Christian devotion built this for God and country. The 85th Street front, which hides the auditorium behind a blank wall and a high row of small windows, carries the Jesuit motto 'Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam', meaning to the greater glory of God.
“Christian Devotion Built This for God and Country…”
- 1918
The Regis Repertory begins staging plays, later a stage for Lady Gaga
Students have put on plays and musicals through the Regis Repertory since 1918, working with girls from nearby schools such as Marymount and Dominican Academy. One of those guest performers was Lady Gaga, who attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart and took the lead roles of Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Source: Wikipedia
- 1966
Landmarks Commission holds its hearing on Regis, and the principal is pleased
The Landmarks Preservation Commission held its public hearing on designating Regis High School and its lot on November 10, 1966. Two witnesses spoke for designation and none against. The school's principal, Rev. Edward D. Horgan, S.J., wrote to the commission saying the school was very pleased the commissioners thought well of the building.
“Two witnesses spoke in favor of designation. There were no speakers in opposition to designation.”
- 1969
Regis High School is designated a New York City landmark
On November 19, 1969 the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Regis High School and its lot, Block 1496, Lot 26, a landmark. It called the building a successful adaptation of classical design to a modern school and one of the city's most dignified. The report also noted that Regis was the only Jesuit high school in the country that charged no tuition, thanks to its endowments.
“…the only Jesuit high school in the country which, because of its endowments, charges no tuition…”
- 1980
The assistant headmaster quietly recovers the school's stolen stone owl
In the late 1970s the stone owl above the south door, a favorite of students and alumni, disappeared. In 1980 the assistant headmaster identified the thief and met the person privately to get it back. The owl is now kept in the Regis Archive, and four owls were set up in the quadrangle to mark its return. The bird later became the school's official mascot, joined years afterward by a younger brother called Walter.
“In 1980, the assistant headmaster found the culprit who stole the owl and privately met up with them to have it returned.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 2013
Two Capital One commercials with Alec Baldwin are filmed in a Regis classroom
Regis has often doubled as a set, appearing in Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Good Wife, and the rock band O.A.R. shot parts of a music video in its quad, auditorium and stairwells. Two Capital One commercials featuring Alec Baldwin were shot in a Regis classroom and outside the school in 2013.
“In 2013, two Capital One commercials starring Alec Baldwin were filmed in a Regis classroom and outside Regis High School.”
Source: Wikipedia
Further reading
- Regis High School (New York City)Wikipedia
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