Crown Heights History: A House of Leaders
This series on Crown Heights History has been compiled by Instagram account @crownheightshistory, a born and raised Crown Heightser, and shows some of the ongoing research taking place.
1304 President Street is a well know address in Crown Heights being the home of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Purchased in 1958 By Merkoz Linyonei Chinuch, a subsidiary of Vaad Agudas Chasidei Chabad.
Historically it’s been a house of leaders since it’s inception in the early 1900s. Mary Kearns is mentioned in the newspapers as it’s first occupant, but more then that we don’t know. Would love to find out who the architect and builder was and what year it was built.
What’s unique about this house is it’s quiet class, and as the story is told, the Rebbe’s wife requested a detached house that is not too loud architecturally.
Peter Burden was a successful businessman who lived there for a short few years. Samuel Greenblat known for his charity and was the director of the Jewish federation as well as a member of Jewish Center was also a resident at 1304 President street with his wife and four children.
Morris and Sylvia D’lugasch lived in 1304 President Street from 1927 until 1957. While Morris Passed away in 1943 the family lived in the house until 1957. Morris D’lugasch as well as known for his charity etc.
Today the house is often visited by members of the Lubavitch community around the world.
Aharon
The Rebbe elaborated about the new house in his Talk and Discourse on the 12th of Tamuz 5716 (summer, 1956), when he acquired ownership
Shmuly
Thank you so much Aharon, would you know which sicha or what part of the Mamet was it in? Thank you!
Debby
Very interesting. I went to yeshiva in Crown Heights in the 1960’s. I Iived in Brownsville and then East Flatbush and in , we walked to relatives and friends who lived in Crown Heights on Shabbos and Yom Tov.
There were many frum Jews living there that weren’t Lubavitch. Litvish.
Gerer, Bobov, etc.