Gramercy Park in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Bernard M. Baruch College / CUNY

17 Lexington Avenue

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2016

1. Bernard M. Baruch College / CUNY Marker

Inscription. A center of commerce by the 1840's, NYC attracted a growing immigrant population. Townsend Harris, President of the Board of Education, saw the need for publicly-supported higher education. In 1849, his vision was fulfilled when The Free Academy opened here, "for the poor man's children," with a class of 149 men. In 1866, it became the College of the City of New York. It is now Baruch College, known globally for excellence in business education.

Erected by Historic Landmarks Preservation Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the New York, New York City Historic Landmarks Preservation Center Cultural Medallions series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 40° 44.359′ N, 73° 59.089′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Gramercy Park. Marker is at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and East 23rd Street on Lexington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Peter Cooper (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cyrus West Field (about 400 feet away); United Charities Building (about 500 feet away);

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Gramercy Park Clubhouse (about 600 feet away); Gramercy Park (about 600 feet away); James Harper (about 600 feet away); The Firefighter Dan DeFranco Building (about 700 feet away); James Cagney (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Also see . . . Baruch College (Wikipedia). "Baruch is one of CUNY's senior colleges. It traces its roots back to the 1847 founding of the Free Academy, the first institution of free public higher education in the United States. The New York State Literature Fund was created to serve students who could not afford to enroll in New York City’s private colleges. The Fund led to the creation of the Committee of the Board of Education of the City of New York, led by Townsend Harris, J.S. Bosworth, and John L. Mason, which brought about the establishment of what would become the Free Academy, on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan....The Free Academy became the College of the City of New York, now The City College of New York (CCNY). In 1919, what would become Baruch College was established as City College School of Business and Civic Administration.

Bernard M. Baruch College / CUNY Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2016

2. Bernard M. Baruch College / CUNY Marker - Wide View

On December 15, 1928, the cornerstone was laid on the new building which would house the newly founded school. At this point, the school did not admit women. At the time it opened it was considered the biggest such school for the teaching of business education in the United States....By the 1930s, women were allowed into the School of Business. The total enrollment at CCNY reached an all-time high of 40,000 students in 1935, and the School of Business had an enrollment of more than 1,700 students in the day session alone. In 1953, it was renamed the Baruch School of Business in honor of Bernard Baruch, after an 1889 graduate of CCNY who went on to become a prominent financier and adviser to two presidents. In 1961, the New York State Education Law established the City University of New York (CUNY) system. In 1968, the Baruch School of Business was spun off as Baruch College, an independent senior college in the City University system." (Submitted on April 26, 2018.)

Bernard M. Baruch College / CUNY Marker - Wider View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2016

3. Bernard M. Baruch College / CUNY Marker - Wider View

Bernard M. Baruch image. Click for full size.

from Wikipedia, unknown

4. Bernard M. Baruch

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 371 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on April 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.