Brooklyn Historical Society

Profile

Founded in 1863 when Brooklyn was its own city (not one of the boroughs), the Brooklyn Historical Society covers 400 years of Brooklyn's development through photographs, paintings, memorabilia and interactive exhibitions. Tucked away on a shaded residential street in Brooklyn Heights, the landmark building was designed by George Post, who also designed the New York Stock Exchange. The building features terra cotta ornamentation on the façade and an innovative truss system to support the ceiling of the central library. Architectural historians have praised Post’s design for blending technological innovation and graceful aesthetics. The extensive library holds a collection of rare books, periodicals, institutional records (including an original copy of the Emancipation Proclamation), manuscripts and atlases. A series of rotating exhibitions can be viewed in five galleries. Weekly evening public programs feature luminaries, screenings, and panel discussions. — Joy Armstrong