MoMA PS1 Book Space presents Lorraine Passero on 'P.S.1: A School for the Centuries'

Join Lorraine Passero on Sunday, July 28, at 1 PM for a lecture on the history of P.S.1 and its function as the largest public school in Queens when it was built in 1893. Passero will be signing copies of her historical coloring book, P.S.1: A School for the Centuries, Long Island City, New York. Email booksmomaps1@artbook.com to pre-order copies with free shipping in the continental United States.

From 2–5 PM, participate in a number of fun activities! We will have a station for coloring paper cut-outs of the clothing students wore in the early twentieth century, a station for trying your hand in the Palmer Method of cursive writing, a station for playing the game of Ball and Jacks, which students once did at recess, and a station for designing stick puppets dressed in student outfits.

The former school’s history has been brought to light for the first time in the book, P.S.1: A School for the Centuries, Long Island City, New York. The daughter of a 1934 graduate of P.S.1, Lorraine Passero will share her collection of photos, mementos and stories about the school. Detailed research from the New York City Municipal Archives permitted Passero to gather first-hand information and blueprints of the school. Historical details include the role of Long Island City’s unscrupulous mayor, Patrick “Battle Axe” Gleason, whose soft spot for the neighborhood’s children led him to marshal the funds for the school’s construction beginning in 1889, and revelations about student life in 1893, when the school opened.

The lecture and activity stations are both free and open to the public. Participants may drop in throughout the day. No RSVP is required.

Book Space
Artbook @ MoMA PS1 Bookstore
Sunday, July 28: 1–5 PM
22-25 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, NY
(718) 433-1088