Established in 1897, Dominican Academy was named by its founders, the Dominican Sisters of Saint Mary of the Springs, in honor of Saint Dominic. The Dominican Sisters continue to sponsor the school. 

The five-story mansion, with limestone façade, was the home of Colonel Michael Friedsam, former president of the B. Altman Company. An avid art collector, Colonel Friedsam’s love of master European craftsmanship is seen throughout the school.

After entering through an ornate French-Gothic wrought iron door, you’re greeted by a regal red-carpeted, marble staircase flanked by two Tuscan columns.

The mezzanine housed much of Colonel Friedsam’s private art collection, referred to at the time as “one of the finest in the country.” Some of the world’s greatest artists, such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Dyke, Titian, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, el Greco, and Velasquez, hung in the rooms now used as the chapel, auditorium, and library. 

Seven Italian marble fireplaces, hand-carved oak and walnut wood paneling, elegant chandeliers, stained glass windows, antique mirrors, velvet walls, oil paintings, and a carved stone chimney all truly make Dominican Academy a jewel of a school.

Special thanks to Diane Maria Moores Bruno, '77, whose thesis for a master's degree in History Preservation from Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation provided much of the historical information. Diana's thesis is archived in the Dominican Academy library.

Website front page photos courtesy of Christiana Vasilas, '10