Greenbelt Center School
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Greenbelt Community Center
1937, Resettlement Administration. 15 Crescent Rd.
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(Photograph by Jack E. Boucher, HABS) -
(Photograph by James Rosenthal, HABS) -
(Photograph by James Rosenthal, HABS) -
(Photograph by James Rosenthal, HABS) -
(Photograph by Lisa P. Davidson) -
(Alexander Heilner) -
(Alexander Heilner) -
(Alexander Heilner) -
(Alexander Heilner) -
(Alexander Heilner) -
(Alexander Heilner)
Greenbelt Community Center was built as a school, library, and meeting space for the New Deal planned community in 1937. Architects Wadsworth and Ellington employed Streamlined Moderne/Art Deco features such as glass block, angular fluted buttresses, curving corners, and stylized bas reliefs on the exterior. The WPA-funded limestone bas relief panels by sculptor Lenore Thomas feature scenes representing the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, such as We the People over the doorway on the main elevation facing Crescent Road. Five more panels below the windows between the buttresses depict To Form a More Perfect Union, Establish Justice, Insure Domestic Tranquility, Provide for the Common Defense, and Promote the General Welfare. The gymnasium, classrooms, and other interior spaces now host a variety of community events, classes, and activities, including a nursery school. The Greenbelt Community Center is carefully preserved and integral to the continued vibrancy of the neighborhood.
Writing Credits
Coordinator:
Lisa P. Davidson
Catherine C. Lavoie
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Data
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Location: Greenbelt, MarylandRegional Overviews:Architect:Materials:no metadata availableParent Entry: Greenbelt Historic District
Timeline
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1937
built -
1947
classroom wing addition to north of existing wing -
1968
addition to north side of main block
What's Nearby
Citation
Lisa P. Davidson, "Greenbelt Community Center", [Greenbelt, Maryland], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MD-01-033-0015-01.
Print Source
Buildings of Maryland, Lisa Pfueller Davidson and Catherine C. Lavoie. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2022, .
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