Grassroots Support for Visitation Academy & Monastery Landmark Initiative Continues to Grow
More than 125 community action volunteers and 35,000 Facebook views reflect growing support across Bay Ridge and beyond
BROOKLYN, NY — Support for the Visitation Academy & Monastery Landmark Initiative is growing as neighbors, alumnae, and supporters come together to call for landmark evaluation of Monastery Square, located at 8902 Ridge Boulevard in Brooklyn.
The Initiative’s Facebook content has received more than 35,000 views. In addition, 125 people have joined the community action group, helping speak with local merchants and share information along Bay Ridge’s avenues.
The Initiative is reaching more community members with help from multilingual volunteers. Neighbors have translated flyers into Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish.
“We are grateful to everyone who has stepped forward to help—and especially glad to welcome neighbors who are new to our cause and are contributing their time, skills, and language abilities,” said Caroline Cardillo, founder and chair of the Initiative. “This is a community effort, and every person who joins helps make our voices stronger.”
The 7.5-acre Monastery Square property is under contract to a developer. The Initiative is asking the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission to evaluate all of Monastery Square—the full 7.5-acre campus, including its historic buildings, chapel, grounds, perimeter wall, and lake—for individual landmark designation.
“We are not trying to stop or delay the closing on the property,” said Cardillo. “We believe the site’s historic, architectural, cultural, and social significance deserves a full and fair review through the City’s landmark designation process.”
The property includes two nineteenth-century buildings originally constructed for the Kings County Inebriates’ Home. The Sisters of the Visitation purchased the site in 1903 and adapted the buildings for their monastery and academy.
The Initiative submitted a 430-page Request for Evaluation on October 1. Community members are invited to join the group’s rally on Saturday, November 14, at 11 a.m., in front of Sacred Heart Chapel at 8902 Ridge Boulevard, Brooklyn.
Follow the Initiative:
Facebook: Visitation Academy & Monastery Landmark Initiative
Instagram: LandmarkVisitation
X: LandmarkVA11209
For more information, visit
Media Contact:
Visitation Academy & Monastery Landmark Initiative
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