Public School 76, ca. 1930.

A collection of schools across New York City.

Public School 76 was constructed in 1888 and originally known as the Wynona School before being given the designation as P.S. 76. The primary or elementary school was built with high ceilings and tall windows because, like many of the buildings constructed at the same time, it had no electricity for lights. Electric lights would only be installed in 1925. The school closed in 1979 and the building was damaged by a fire in the early 1980s. For many years it was a neighborhood eyesore and a venue for illicit activities. A local retiree and community board member named George Walker Jr. was a tireless advocate for the community and particularly for the safe and productive reuse of the school site on Wynona Street. After a long process the school building was eventually demolished in 1996 and a park was created and named after Walker who passed away in 1992.