It was early summer 1956 in Torbank (a neighborhood in Ossining). Young mothers Mojave Weissman and Betty Green were sitting on the back porch over a cup of coffee. Paul’s-on-the-Hill Episcopal Church, Mojave said, “This would be a good place to have a nursery school.” “I think so too,” replied Betty. Nothing more was said that afternoon. A week later Mojave approached St. Paul’s pastor, the Rever
end Mr. Benson Fisher, with her idea, finding him interested and enthusiastic. Fisher had hoped, he told her, that someday, someone would organize a cooperative nursery school in Torbank. Thus, the Torbank Community Nursery was conceived. The first classes were held in the fall of 1956 after much research, hard work, and cooperation from neighborhood parents. For its first 32 years, Torbank occupied rooms in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ossining. For the past 19 years, the school’s home has been the Ethical Society Building on Pinesbridge Road. Throughout its entire history, Torbank has been totally nonsectarian. No religious instruction is given. All faiths are represented in the school.
