Knickerbocker Greys
Encyclopedia
The Knickerbocker Greys is the oldest after school activity in the United States
, founded in 1881 for children aged 6 to 16. Since its founding, the primary purpose of the Greys “is to instill in cadets a sense of personal responsibility
, and instinct for leadership
, the habit of reliability, and the self-assurance which follows mastery of these steps to useful citizenship
”. Cadets undergo a series of experiences over the years that build confidence, improve self esteem, develop character, social skills, patience, perseverance, enthusiasm, public speaking, problem solving, and leadership. Its important that the tradition of the Knickerbocker Greys lives on as all of the cadets say at the review.- 2nd Lieutenant Hoban "The Knickerbocker Greys has been a fun and exciting experience for me."- 1st Sergeant Alex Meech
physician
who served on the staff of the Surgeon General of the Union Army
, and assisted in the autopsy
on the body of President Abraham Lincoln
. She started the corps as a way to keep her boys out of trouble, since they had taken to hanging out at candy stores after school. At the time, there were no after school activities or organized sports.
With a group of mothers, Mrs. Curtis asked Lieutenant Adolph W. Callison of the 22nd Regiment to be a Drill Master, and found a location at the 12th Regiment New York National Guard Armory. They chose a uniform similar to that of an English organization, consisting of a gray jacket, knickerbockers, and round cap, which were all trimmed with black braid. The group’s name was derived from the original uniform’s knee-length pants that were known as "knickerbockers”, and the color of the dress uniform, “Cadet
Grey”. This color is still used on West Point Cadet Uniforms.
In the winter 1886-1887 the 12th Regiment moved into their new armory, so the Greys obtained permission to drill in the armory of the 71st Regiment then at Broadway
and 35th Street. They followed the Regiment first to Broadway and 45th Street and later to their armory at Park Avenue
and 34th Street. During the building of this armory on Park Avenue, the Greys used various halls about the city for one season. In 1902 the 71st Regiment Armory was burned down and the Knickerbocker Greys were invited to drill in the 7th Regiment Armory (now known as the Park Avenue Armory) at on Park Avenue and 67th Street through the courtesy of Colonel Daniel Appleton
.
families, some from its highest social ranks. Many prominent families enlisted their sons into the Greys, who at the time drilled two afternoons a week. John D Rockefeller III and Nelson Rockefeller
were both Greys, as well as Cornelius Vanderbilt III
, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and John Lindsay
. Along with such famous cadets, many other children have been Greys, from public, parochial, private, and even home schools. Originally an all male organization, the Greys became coed in 1986. There have been two female cadet colonels, the highest rank any cadet can receive in the organization, since 1986. The Knickerbocker Greys were featured in the November Issue of the New York Magazine Town And Country
. The focus of these weekly meetings is to learn traditional armed forces marching and drill routines, but the ultimate aim is for the participants to learn more than these drills. The main goal of the Greys is that in the process of this military training, cadets develop leadership skills: such as how to motivate others; how to deal with them correctly; and how to command a group of peers. The Greys also encourage a community within the corps, leading to friendships between older and younger cadets, by not only drilling, but going on trips, learning about American history, and even having parties and games. The Greys also build confidence, by instilling in each cadet a sense of discipline, leadership, compassion and orderliness. As cadets master the military Drill and Ceremony, they pass on their skills onto younger cadets. This helps cadets in many areas, from leadership to public speaking. As one Cadet Colonel said, “I used to be really shy and I had a serious fear of public speaking, my experiences at the Greys helped me a lot, step by step. And since then, as cadet Colonel, I’ve learned a lot about confidence, leadership, and how to teach younger cadets.” Cadets are also instructed in etiquette and learn how to “meet and greet” while acting as color guards for several societies in New York. Some of the annual events include the St. George's Society’s English Ball, the Sons of the Revolution dinner, and the Daughters of the American Revolution
ball, and Military Order of Foreign Wars
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, founded in 1881 for children aged 6 to 16. Since its founding, the primary purpose of the Greys “is to instill in cadets a sense of personal responsibility
Moral responsibility
Moral responsibility usually refers to the idea that a person has moral obligations in certain situations. Disobeying moral obligations, then, becomes grounds for justified punishment. Deciding what justifies punishment, if anything, is a principle concern of ethics.People who have moral...
, and instinct for leadership
Leadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
, the habit of reliability, and the self-assurance which follows mastery of these steps to useful citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
”. Cadets undergo a series of experiences over the years that build confidence, improve self esteem, develop character, social skills, patience, perseverance, enthusiasm, public speaking, problem solving, and leadership. Its important that the tradition of the Knickerbocker Greys lives on as all of the cadets say at the review.- 2nd Lieutenant Hoban "The Knickerbocker Greys has been a fun and exciting experience for me."- 1st Sergeant Alex Meech
Early history
The Knickerbocker Greys was founded by Mrs. Augusta Lawler Stacey Curtis, the wife of Dr. Edward Curtis, a noted New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
who served on the staff of the Surgeon General of the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
, and assisted in the autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
on the body of President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
. She started the corps as a way to keep her boys out of trouble, since they had taken to hanging out at candy stores after school. At the time, there were no after school activities or organized sports.
With a group of mothers, Mrs. Curtis asked Lieutenant Adolph W. Callison of the 22nd Regiment to be a Drill Master, and found a location at the 12th Regiment New York National Guard Armory. They chose a uniform similar to that of an English organization, consisting of a gray jacket, knickerbockers, and round cap, which were all trimmed with black braid. The group’s name was derived from the original uniform’s knee-length pants that were known as "knickerbockers”, and the color of the dress uniform, “Cadet
Cadet
A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
Grey”. This color is still used on West Point Cadet Uniforms.
In the winter 1886-1887 the 12th Regiment moved into their new armory, so the Greys obtained permission to drill in the armory of the 71st Regiment then at Broadway
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
and 35th Street. They followed the Regiment first to Broadway and 45th Street and later to their armory at Park Avenue
Park Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
and 34th Street. During the building of this armory on Park Avenue, the Greys used various halls about the city for one season. In 1902 the 71st Regiment Armory was burned down and the Knickerbocker Greys were invited to drill in the 7th Regiment Armory (now known as the Park Avenue Armory) at on Park Avenue and 67th Street through the courtesy of Colonel Daniel Appleton
Daniel Appleton
Daniel Appleton was an American publisher.-Biography:He was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts. After a few years of schooling, he started a general store in Haverill. Later, he moved to Boston where he sold dry-goods imported from England...
.
Members of the Greys
Over 4,500 New Yorkers have been members of the Knickerbocker Grey Cadet Corps over the past 125 years and have recruited cadets from many New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
families, some from its highest social ranks. Many prominent families enlisted their sons into the Greys, who at the time drilled two afternoons a week. John D Rockefeller III and Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
were both Greys, as well as Cornelius Vanderbilt III
Cornelius Vanderbilt III
Cornelius Vanderbilt III was a distinguished American military officer, inventor, engineer, and yachtsman, and a member of the prominent American Vanderbilt family.-Biography:...
, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and John Lindsay
John Lindsay
John Vliet Lindsay was an American politician, lawyer and broadcaster who was a U.S. Congressman, Mayor of New York City, candidate for U.S...
. Along with such famous cadets, many other children have been Greys, from public, parochial, private, and even home schools. Originally an all male organization, the Greys became coed in 1986. There have been two female cadet colonels, the highest rank any cadet can receive in the organization, since 1986. The Knickerbocker Greys were featured in the November Issue of the New York Magazine Town And Country
The Knickerbocker Greys Today
Today the Knickerbocker Greys meet every Tuesday afternoon during the school year at the Park Avenue Armory between 67th and 68th Streets on Park AvenuePark Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
. The focus of these weekly meetings is to learn traditional armed forces marching and drill routines, but the ultimate aim is for the participants to learn more than these drills. The main goal of the Greys is that in the process of this military training, cadets develop leadership skills: such as how to motivate others; how to deal with them correctly; and how to command a group of peers. The Greys also encourage a community within the corps, leading to friendships between older and younger cadets, by not only drilling, but going on trips, learning about American history, and even having parties and games. The Greys also build confidence, by instilling in each cadet a sense of discipline, leadership, compassion and orderliness. As cadets master the military Drill and Ceremony, they pass on their skills onto younger cadets. This helps cadets in many areas, from leadership to public speaking. As one Cadet Colonel said, “I used to be really shy and I had a serious fear of public speaking, my experiences at the Greys helped me a lot, step by step. And since then, as cadet Colonel, I’ve learned a lot about confidence, leadership, and how to teach younger cadets.” Cadets are also instructed in etiquette and learn how to “meet and greet” while acting as color guards for several societies in New York. Some of the annual events include the St. George's Society’s English Ball, the Sons of the Revolution dinner, and the Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
ball, and Military Order of Foreign Wars
Military Order of Foreign Wars
The Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States is one of the oldest veterans' and hereditary associations in the nation with a membership that includes officers and their hereditary descendants from all of the Armed Services...
.
External links
- Knickerbocker Greys website
- Manhattan’s Littlest Soldiers New York Times article