Yorktown Albert A. Capellini Community and Cultural Center

With the construction of the Putnam Railroad, the Town of Yorktown experienced a dramatic population increase which called for an expansion of the town’s educational and community infrastructure. In the early 1920s, New York based architectural firm Knappe & Morris were contracted to construct a new school building. The location chosen for this new school was nestled in the middle of what was a quiet residential neighborhood, less than half a mile from the Old Putnam Railroad Depot. In 1923, the construction of this new two-story, 60,160 square foot school building was completed.

The completion of the building marked the beginning of a new age in education in Yorktown. The school was dubbed Central School District #2 and became New York’s second centralized school district and the first school in Yorktown to teach Kindergarten through 12th grade. The school replaced six one-room schoolhouses in area, including the District #4 school that later became St. Patrick’s Church. Additionally, the centralized education building initiated a period of economic growth for the community by bringing bus transportation to the town which increased the distance that could be efficiently traveled in and around the region.

In 1935, Mildred E. Strang, a distinguished local teacher, was appointed as the Vice Principal of the school. A teacher since 1929, Strang’s term as vice principle was short but marked by numerous advances in the quality of local education. In 1942, she was appointed as the acting principal when the male principal left to serve in World War II. She became permanent principle in 1945 and held the position for the next twenty-three years. By the time she retired in 1968, enrollment had increased by almost 200% and she had overseen the design and construction of numerous new school buildings, programs, and resources.

Central School District #2 closed in 1975 due to declining enrollments and the construction of additional school buildings. Today, Yorktown Central School District is consists of the Mildred E. Strang Middle School and Yorktown High School. In 1978, the Central School District #2 building began to be used as a community center for the town. It now houses the Yorktown Community Theater, the Westchester Ballet Company Center of Performing Arts, Yorktown Museum,Town Offices, Senior Nutrition Center, as well as many other community programs. In 2018, the building was renamed and dedicated to former Town Supervisor Al Cappelini.

Candreva, George. The Midred E. Strang Testimonial Journal. June 7th 1968.

Matz, Raymond J. Adaptive Reuse of the Sixth Grade School as a Cultural and Community Center. Kallen & Lamelson, Consulting Engineers. Published September 10th 1980.

Sanchis, Frank E. American Architecture: Westchester County, New York, Colonial to Contemporary. New York. North River Press, 1977.