Music Lessons Start at 26 Jones St.

Founder of Greenwich House, Mary Kingsbury Simkhovitch, begins a music education program in 1905 in the original Greenwich House buildings on Jones St. Before founding Greenwich House, Mrs. Simkhovitch had been active in supporting women’s suffrage and social welfare legislation, and had worked in the settlement house movement. She envisioned Greenwich House as playing an integral role in the life of the neighborhood — being a part of neighborhood life, rather than simply a provider to services to the population of the area.

Throughout her forty-two year tenure as director, Mrs. Simkhovitch was active in numerous other organizations. She was active in social reform organizations affiliated with the Episcopal Church; served as president of both the National Federation of Settlements and the Public Housing Conference; and was vice-president of the New York City Housing Authority from 1934-1948. In 1937, she ran for a seat on the New York City Council. Her anti-Tammany electoral campaign was unsuccessful.

Simkhovitch retired as director in 1946 and continued to live at Greenwich House until her death in 1951. She was succeeded as director by Assistant Director Gertrude Cooper (1946-48). Two years later, Cooper was replaced by Music School Director Maxwell Powers (1948-1976). 

Read more about her experience founding Greenwich House https://time.com/archive/6867598/education-mrs-sim-the-neighbors/