Boys' High School - Brooklyn, NY
Boys' High School

832 Marcy Avenue, between Putnam Avenue and Madison Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11216


The Boys' High School of Brooklyn was considered one of the most important public schools in Brooklyn, and thereby worthy of a major architectural statement. James W. Naughton, an Irish-born architect who was Superintendent of Buildings for the Board of Education of the City of Brooklyn, designed the school's Romanesque Revival building in the style of H.H. Richardson. Built from 1891-92 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, the four-story Boys' High School could accomodate 782 students in 22 classrooms. The exterior is noted for its gables, dormers, a round corner tower, and, on the opposite corner, a campanile topped by a pyramid roof. As enrollment increased, additions were constructed from 1905-10, as designed by C.B.J. Snyder, Superindentent of Buildings for the Board of Education in New York City. In 1975, the buildings were designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Since that time, the buildings have been restored and now house the Street Academy High School.
           
M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 1700 (1914)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 44 stops, 35 ranks


The handwritten entry in the M.P. Möller Contract Book for Boys' High School, dated December 3, 1913, shows that this organ cost $8,000. The fate of this organ is unknown.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon (wood)
61
8
   Gemshorn
61
8
   Open Diapason #1
61
4
   Flute Harmonic
61
8
   Open Diapason #2
61
8
   Melodia
61
4
   Octave
61
16
   Tuba Profunda
85
8
   Gamba
61
8
   Harmonic Tuba
—
8
   Doppel Floete (wood)
61
4
   Harmonic Clarion
—
 
     
 
     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Contra Viole (1-12 wood)
61
8
  Flauto Traverso
73
8
  Open Diapason
73
4
   Violina
73
8
  Salicional
73
  Dolce Cornet, 3 ranks
183
8
  Viole Celeste [TC]
61
8
  Orchestral Oboe
73
8
  Viole d'Orchestre
73
8
   Cornopean
73
8
   Aeoline
73
8
   Vox Humana
73
8
   Stopped Diapason (wood)
73
16
   Contra Fagotto
73
8
   Spitz Flute
73
        
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Viol Dolce (wood)
73
4
   Flute d'Amour (wood & metal)
73
8
   Geigen Principal
73
2
  Flageolet
61
8
   Dulciana
73
8
   Clarinet
73
8
   Concert Flute (wood)
73
        
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Harmonic Bass
—
8
   Cello
CH
16
   Open Diapason
44
8
   Melodia
GT
16
   Bourdon
GT
16
   Contra Fagotto
SW
16
   Viol Dolce
CH
16
   Tuba Profunda
GT
8
   Octave [Open Diap.]
—
8
   Harmonic Tuba
GT
               
Couplers (tilting tablets)
    Great to Pedal 8', 4'     Great to Swell 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'     Choir to Swell 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'     Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Pedal 8'     Great 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'     Swell 16', 4', Unison Off
    Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'     Choir 16', 4', Unison Off
               
Adjustable Combinations (moving the draw knobs)
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6 affecting Great Stops
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-6 affecting Swell Stops
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4 affecting Choir Stops
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5 affecting Pedal Stops
               
Mechanical Accessories
    Balanced Swell Pedal for Swell
    Balanced Swell Pedal for Great
    Balanced Swell Pedal for Choir
    Balanced Swell Pedal for moving all shades
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal
    Great to Pedal Reversible
    Tremulant for Swell
    Tremulant for Choir
    Tremulant for Vox Humana
    Sforzando Pedal
    Movable Console – Electric action
           
Sources:
     Dolkart, Andrew S. and Matthew A. Postal. Guide to New York City Landmarks (Third Edition). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004.
     Stern, Robert A.M., Thomas Mellins, and David Fishman. New York 1880: Architecture and Urbanism in the Gilded Age. New York City: The Monacelli Press, 1999.
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specifications of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 1700 (1914).

Illustration:
      eBay.com. Undated postcard of Boys' High School.