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CELEBRATING
125 YEARS
Pratt is marking this momentous occasion with a series of special events and programs that celebrate its rich history and legacy. Join us!
PRATT THROUGH THE DECADES
1887
First Classes Held at Pratt
1924
First Fashion Show
1939
Foundation Curriculum Revolutionized
1993
Thomas F. Schutte Became Pratt’s 11th President
2011
Myrtle Hall Opened
1887
First Classes Held at Pratt
October 17, 1887 marked the first day of classes at Pratt Institute for the 12 students enrolled in its initial drawing classes. Of the 12, half requested freehand drawing and the others, mechanical drawing. Although Walter Scott Perry, one of the Institute’s first faculty members (all pictured here along with Charles Pratt’s son, Frederic, in the center), was worried Charles Pratt would be disappointed to hear there were only 12 students, the founder was confident that “if we do right by the 12, we may have 13 next week, and if we do right by 13, we may have 14 the week after, and that is the way to grow.” Indeed, just five months later, by March 1888, 307 students were enrolled in courses ranging from stenography to sewing and by fall 1888, that number had grown to 1,500.
Photo: Courtesy of Pratt Institute Archives
1924
First Fashion Show
The Department of Household Arts held its first annual Fashion Show in 1924. The show was sponsored by the New York Federation of Women’s Clubs and held at Wanamaker’s Department Store, from which all materials used in making the entries were obtained. The dress shown here was made of pink organdie for a total cost, including findings, of $10.07.
Photo: Courtesy of Pratt Institute Archives
1939
Foundation Curriculum Revolutionized
In 1936, industrial design legends Alexander Kostellow and Rowena Reed joined the faculty of Pratt’s new industrial design program, which distinguished Westinghouse designer and educator Donald Dohner established in 1935 under the leadership of Dean James Boudreau (pictured here, right, with Kostellow). In 1939, Kostellow, Dohner, and Reed revolutionized the foundation course that all first-year students were required to take by introducing a new curriculum of “Design and Structure” incorporating abstract elements that emulated the Bauhaus tradition.
Photo: Courtesy of Pratt Institute Industrial Design Department
1993
Thomas F. Schutte Became Pratt’s 11th President
In 1993, Dr. Thomas F. Schutte became the 11th president of Pratt Institute. Dr. Schutte, who came to Pratt after serving for a decade as president of the Rhode Island School of Design and, before that, as president of the Philadelphia College of Art, arrived at the Institute when it had fallen on difficult economic times, which was also true of the local environment. During Schutte's 18-year tenure, Pratt has become one of the largest and most selective colleges of art, design, and architecture in the world, and many of its programs now rank among the top 10 in major academic and industry surveys. Schutte has also made extraordinary improvements to the physical plant of Pratt's 125-acre Brooklyn campus, and oversaw the acquisition by Pratt of a landmark Manhattan building that now houses Pratt's School of Information and Library Science and the Pratt Manhattan Gallery. The area surrounding Pratt has been similarly revitalized, attracting locals and tourists alike, thanks in large part to Schutte's leading role with the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project and the Brooklyn Arts Council.
Photo: Sigrid Estrada
2011
Myrtle Hall Opened
Pratt Institute opened a new six-story, 120,000-square-foot green academic and administrative facility named Myrtle Hall at 536 Myrtle Avenue between Grand Avenue and Steuben Street to house the college's Department of Digital Arts as well as several administrative offices. Designed by the New York City architecture firm WASA/Studio A, Myrtle Hall is the first higher education building in Brooklyn to meet the United States Green Building Council standards for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. The designation was based on such eco-features as exterior sun shades; a green roof that absorbs rainwater, reflects heat, and sequesters greenhouse gasses; and solar photovoltaic panels that generate on-site electricity.
Photo: Alexander Severin/RAZUMMEDIA
