Farewell Hartley House: Hell’s Kitchen’s Home Away from Home

3/9/2018

The Hell's Kitchen community held a candlelight vigil for beloved Hartley House on Saturday, March 3, 2018. After 120 years of service, the institution abruptly closed its doors at 409-413 West 46th Street. Its three buildings sold for a paltry sum to Thornton Equities LLC.

The situation is heartbreaking. And it is baffling.

Hartley House was founded in 1897 during the Progressive Era as a settlement house under the auspices of the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor (AICP), today the Community Service Society of New York. It became an independent organization in 1903. Named by Marcellus Hartley after his father Robert Milham Hartley, a founder of AICP. Marcellus purchased the sold buildings in the early 20th century. They stood as "a hub of support, empowerment, and community development" until now.

In mourning, HKers of multiple generations met in front of Hartley House to share their personal experiences and to reflect on its place and meaning in our community. Each articulated in their own way that the House was a 'Home': a safe haven from the streets, where we were cared for, where we socialized, played, and were educated.

The vigil was also a call to action - To fight for the return of Hartley House. To defend against the forces dismantling our neighborhood. To demand representation for ourselves and our community. While there is still community left.

Hartley House aims to continue programming that it will manage from a set of offices on Broadway while it looks to relocate back to the neighborhood. We hope they do.

Because places matter. Hartley House may have been constructed with materials like brick and mortar, but it was built with love and investment over time. Hell's Kitchen needs Hartley House - a place we, our children, and our grandchildren can call Home.

10 Comments

Michelle Diaz

3/10/2018 20:49:58

Great photos Liz! I wish you were the one who wrote the chelsea now! Would you mind if I shared your pics to my group?

Liz link

3/10/2018 21:21:23

Thanks Michelle! Please do share the blog post! I shared it to All The Cool Kids but authorization is pending. We want news of the situation to reach as many people as possible. Maybe useful to CB4? Let me know if I can contribute anything more!

Michelle

3/11/2018 17:23:09

Thanks so much Liz! I also posted the blog in “Growing up in Hell’s Kitchen” Group”

3/14/2018 03:32:10

Awesome!

Patrick O'Brien

3/11/2018 17:33:55

I will miss Hartley House so much.I have alot of good memories of Hartley house.I went away every summer to Conn to a great family that I still very close with.Many holiday were so special with them.Hope they find a new place.
Thank You so much Hartley House..

3/14/2018 03:49:34

Thank you for your comment, Patrick! I would love to know more of your experiences with and memories of Hartley House. They are so important. Liz

Anna Moretti ( Manginelli)

3/11/2018 17:43:44

My husband and I played basketball there in the fifties. He continued after we married and moved away in 1958. Went to camp in Towaco.We also went to dances there. Oh what great memories I have, I'm now 80 and will keep the wonderful memories in my heart. My husband is gone 11 years now, his heart would be broken.

3/14/2018 04:00:04

Anna, Thank you for your comment. I'm so sorry about your husband. I've been told great things about the Hartley House gym and the dances there. I would love to hear more about your personal experiences. Liz

Anna Moretti

3/14/2018 04:36:29

Well basket was our fun back in the fifties. There were many teams. My older sister played on one, my husband played on another. We traveled all over NY City. We had a wonderful coach Mary Poncilli. Father Galager from father St.Alberts church also came with us to watch us play.The older girls were so good they played at Madison Square Garden.We all had uniforms.

3/15/2018 18:04:44

Thanks, Anna!

Farewell Hartley House: Hell’s Kitchen’s Home Away from Home

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