Without people, a building, no matter how grand or beautiful lacks purpose, especially an apartment building, constructed for the sole purpose of providing shelter and giving people the opportunity to create a home. 

The Grinnell's fortunes as a building began high and remained that way well into the 20th Century.  When its fortunes began to fail, during a period of exteme landlord neglect, the people who lived here

On this page, we present a gallery of Grinnell people in many aspects of their lives at the Grinnell: socializing, governing, and working.





(Click the contact page for information about how you can share your Grinnell photos on this page.)




Our Photos: Grinnell Community
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Grinnell Centennial Events: Logo Competition Designs
Hana Koob (1st Prize) displaying her prize-winning logo design, July 20, 2010.Wesley Marsh (2nd Prize) displaying his prize-winning logo design, July 20, 2010.Hana Koob, 1st PlaceLavina Van dijk, 2nd Place (tie)Wesley Marsh, 2nd PlaceEva WertimerPhilip GaniasOur Building, a poem by Mason Leaver - available on a T-shirtAlexander GaniasFrances Wertimer

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(search Grinnell Centennial)

Grinnell Centennial Birthday Party: Centennial Exhibition
Centennial Exhibition, Grinnell Community Room, Sept-Oct. 2010 (Photo: Matthew Spady)Centennial Exhibition, Grinnell Community Room, Sept-Oct. 2010 (Photo: Matthew Spady)Centennial Exhibition, Grinnell Community Room, Sept-Oct. 2010 (Photo: Matthew Spady)Centennial Exhibition, Grinnell Community Room, Sept-Oct. 2010 (Photo: Matthew Spady)Visitors exploring the Grinnell Centennial Exhibition, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Grinnell resident Joel Rothschild studying a map of northern Manhattan; Grinnell Centennial Exhibition, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Visitors exploring the Grinnell Centennial Exhibition, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Neighbor Steve Simon and Grinnell resident Wayne Benjamin discuss Grinnell history; Centennial Exhibition, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Neighbor Steve Simon and Grinnell resident Wayne Benjamin discuss Grinnell history; Centennial Exhibition, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Dave and Jeannie Dubnau at the Centennial Exhibition, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Sandra Ross at the Centennial Exhibition, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Visitors exploring the Grinnell Centennial Exhibition, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Visitors exploring the Grinnell Centennial Exhibition, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)
Grinnell Centennial Birthday Party: The Next Generation of Grinnellians
The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Sally Kahan)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Sally Kahan)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Sally Kahan)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Sally Kahan)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Lynne Van Auken)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Lynne Van Auken)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Lynne Van Auken)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Lynne Van Auken) The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Lynne Van Auken)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Lynne Van Auken)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Lynne Van Auken)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Lynne Van Auken)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Lynne Van Auken)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Cindi Conti)The Next Generation of Grinnellians at the Centennial Party (Photo Cindi Conti)
Grinnell Centennial Birthday Party: Grinnell Residents Read Works by Grinnell Authors
Alta Waldau (who organized the afternoon of readings) presenting a piece by her late husband Roy Waldau. Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010. (Photo: Sally Kahan)Audience members, Grinnell Centennial Party readings; October 17, 2010. (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Mason and Robert Leaver read poetry they wrote iin honor of the Grinnell's Centennial; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Lynne Van Auken listening to readings; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Mason and Robert Leaver read poetry they wrote iin honor of The Grinnell's Centennial; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Blair Breard listening to her husband and son reading poetry they wrote honoring the Grinnell's Centennial; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Mason and Robert Leaver read poetry they wrote iin honor of the Grinnell's Centennial; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Mason and Robert Leaver read poetry they wrote iin honor of the Grinnell's Centennial; Alta Waldau looks on; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Gwen Gilyard reading from one of the books she has written for children; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Gwen Gilyard talking about writing for children; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Gwen Gilyard reading from one of the books she has written for children; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Gwen Gilyard and Mani Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Audience members, Grinnell Centennial Party readings; October 17, 2010. (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Dr. Robert Snyder (Rutgers professor), listening to readings; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Audience members, Grinnell Centennial Party readings; October 17, 2010. (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Audience members, Grinnell Centennial Party readings; October 17, 2010. (Photo: Matthew Spady)Dr. Mary Louise Patterson talking about visiting The Grinnell with her parents when she was a child, preface to reading an excerpt from Alice Childress's "Like One of the Family"; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo, Sally Kahan)Dr. Mary Louise Patterson talking about visiting The Grinnell with her parents when she was a child, preface to reading an excerpt from Alice Childress's "Like One of the Family"; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Kenneth Bernard reading one of his essays; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Kenneth and Elaine Bernard; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Audience members, Grinnell Centennial Party readings; October 17, 2010. (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Dr. Connie Sutton talking about her friend Maya Angelou, who lived with her at The Grinnell while she was writing "I Know WHy the Caged Bird Sings." Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Dr. Connie Sutton; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Dr. Mary Louise Patterson accepting accolades from a guest at the Centennial Party; October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Audience members, Grinnell Centennial Party readings; October 17, 2010. (Photo: Matthew Spady)
Grinnell Centennial Birthday Party: Happy 100th!
Partiers with the official Centennial Baloons, a gift of Maisha and Tulani Gilyard who grew up at The Grinnell; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Partiers with the official Centennial Baloons, a gift of Maisha and Tulani Gilyard who grew up at The Grinnell; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)The Grinnell "booth", decorated for the Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010. (Photo: Cindi Conti)Looking skyward from The Grinnell courtyard; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010. (Photo: Cindi Conti)The "Centennial Cake" in The Grinnell's unmistakable triangular shape; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010. (Photo: Matthew Spady)The "Centennial Cake" in The Grinnell's unmistakable triangular shape; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010. (Photo: Matthew Spady)Partiers with the official Centennial Baloons, a gift of Maisha and Tulani Gilyard who grew up at The Grinnell; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Sally Kahan)Jane Bolster, Grinnell Centennial Planning Team wearing a Centennial T-shirt her daughter designed and brandishing a cake knife. (Photo: Sally Kahan)Jane Bolster, Grinnell Centennial Planning Team and Sarah Morgridge representing Councilman Jackson's office. (Photo: Sally Kahan)Grinnell board president James Alston accepting a citation from Sarah Morgridge, representing Councilman Jackson's office; Grinnell Centennial Party, October 17, 2010 (Photo: Matthew Spady)Citation from Councilman Jackson's office honoring the Grinnell's 100th BirthdayGrinnell residents Robin Johnson and Wayne Benjamin displaying the official Centennial Citation from Councilman Jackson's office. (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)Wayne Benjamin displaying the official Centennial Citation from Councilman Jackson's office. (Photo: Lynne Van Auken)After the party... (Photo: Matthew Spady)Congratulatory letter from Mayor BloombergCongratulatory letter from Senator GillibrandCongratulatory letter from Councilman JacksonCongratulatory Telegram from Maisah Gilyard, who grew up at the Grinnell.After the party... (Photo: Matthew Spady)
Grinnell Centennial Birthday Party: Safe Cracking
Grinnell Centennial Birthday Party: Grinnell People and Their Friends and Guests
(Photo: Matthew Spady)(Photo: Matthew Spady) (Photo: Matthew Spady)(Photo: Matthew Spady)(Photo: Matthew Spady)(Photo: Lynne Van Auken)(Photo: Matthew Spady)(Photo: Matthew Spady)(Photo: Sally Kahan)(Photo: Sally Kahan)(Photo: Sally Kahan)(Photo: Sally Kahan)Business card found in the safe, dating from the Great Depression. (Image: Matthew Spady)Message written on the revers of the business card found in the safe, dating from the Great Depression. (Image: Matthew Spady)Halls' Safe Company card found in the safe. (Image: Matthew Spady)Halls' Safe Company card found in the safe with combination. (Image: Matthew Spady)Marc Rafalsky envelope found in the safe; Rafalsky managed the Grinnell in the 1930s and early 1940s. (Image: Matthew Spady)
Resident Aisha GarnerDr. Aphrodesia McCannon (who grew up at the Grinnell), husband Brian Zumhagen, and childrenGrinnell resident Alta WaldauNeighborhood resident Bisham Bherwani and Grinnell resident Matthew SpadyGrinnell residents Bonnie Kaufman and Sue BarrowsGrinnell residents Bonnie Kaufman, Jackie Thaw and Jamie CampaniolaGrinnGrinnell resident Brenda ScottMeta Shaw Stevens and Mani Gilyard (Photo by Cindi Conti)Cladwin David, recently retired Grinnell doormanCladwin David, Sheba Riley, Bruce RobertsonDr. Connie Sutton, who has lived at the Grinnell longer than any current residentTransitions: Gerard Hicks, former Grinnell resident who moved across the street to 811 RSD and sold his apartment to Jeannie and Dave Dubnau, former residents of the Riviera.Grinnell resident Eli GaniasGrinnell residents Elizabeth Koob, Gwen Gilyard, Rita Ramirez, and Grinnell residents Francia Pimental and Stephen KahanGrinnell residents Gwen Gilyard, Rita Ramirez, and Vera SimsGrinnell residents Joni Greenspan and Dan LenchnerNeighborhood resident Vivian Ducat and sonFormer Grinnell residents Meta Shaw Stevens and Edie Shaw MarcusGrinnell residents Raphael Ben Yehuda and Phil Van dijkGrinnell residents Matthew Spady and Joni GreenspanGrinnell families: the and the BennettsBrenda Scott (Photo by Cindi Conti)(Photo by Cindi Conti)Grinnell residnet Hannah Helms and guestHoward Yourow of the Historic Districts Council and Grinnell resident Bruce RobertsonGrinnell residents Jane Bolster and Mathtew SpadyGrinnell resident Jamie Campagnola and sonGrinnell residents Alta Waldau and Krista OlsenGrinnell resident Joel Rothschild Grinnell residents Vera Sims, Bonnie Kaufman, Stephen KahanGrinnell resident Mary Louise Patterson(Photo by Cindi Conti)Grinnell residents Jackie Thaw and Raphael Ben YehudaGrinnell resident Kathy DickersonAisha Garner and guestGrinnell resident Lynn Van AukenFormer Grinnell residents Meta Shaw Stevens and Edie Shaw MarcusGrinnell resident Maggie Ganias and sonDr. Connie Sutton, who has lived at the Grinnell longer than any current residentGrinnell resident Mani Gilyard and friendGrinnell resident Mary Louise PattersonGrinnell superintendent Miquel RodriguezGrinnell residents Matthew Spady and Jeannie DubnauGrinnell residents Nuri Richards and Vicki PozzoliniMaryJo Morgenstern (Photo by Sally Kahan)Former Grinnell resident Cindi Conti with her childhood friend Anita Van Der Linden (807 RSD)Grinnell resident Bruce Robertson and guestGrinnell residents Bruce Robertson and Lynne Van AukenGrinnell residents Rita Ramirez and Brenda ScottGrinnell residents Sue Barrow, Gwen Gilyard, Rita Ramirez, Vera SimsGrinnell residents Stephen Kahan and Jamie CampagnolaStephen Kahan and Miguel RodriguezStephen Kahan and Phil Van DijkGrinnell staffLynne Van Auken, Alta Waldau, Bruce RobertsonNeighborhood resident Vivian DucatGrinnell residents Vera Sims, Bonnie Kaufman, Stephen KahanGrinnell resident Wayne Benjamin(Photo by Cindi Conti)(Photo by Cindi Conti)
The residents of 800 Riverside Drive celebrating community, a unique sense of place, and an architectural gem