December Staff Pick from the BHS Gift Shop: Park Slope Neighborhood & Architectural History Guide by Francis Morrone via Brooklyn Historical Society

Welcome to the latest installment of Brooklyn Historical Society STAFF PICKS, a fun way to explore our awesome gift shop! The BHS Gift Shop features many items crafted right here in Brooklyn, as well as an array of fascinating books on the history and culture of New York City and our favorite borough. Once a month we feature a staff member and their favorite book from our gift shop because, let’s face it, who better than our Brooklyn-lovin’ staff to give great gift ideas?

This month we chat with BHS President Deborah Schwartz, whose favorite book in the BHS Gift Shop is the Park Slope Neighborhood & Architectural History Guide by Francis Morrone via Brooklyn Historical Society.

December Staff Pick from BHS President Deborah Schwartz

The history of Brooklyn is so rich that many people who have lived in the borough for years are unfamiliar with the history that surrounds them. Neighborhood & Architectural History Guides were created by Brooklyn Historical Society as a way to connect everyone from tourists to long-time Brooklynites to our incredible borough. Using images from the BHS archives and information provided by local historians and residents, these guides bring the history of each neighborhood to life and reveal the fascinating stories behind how communities grow and develop.

You can also use these guides to find evidence of a neighborhood's past on your own. Each comes equipped with one or more walking tours and maps that allow you to explore an area's monuments and sites of historical and cultural interest at your leisure! Guides are available at the BHS Gift Shop for a variety of neighborhoods, including Park Slope, Flatbush, Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Red Hook/Gowanus, DUMBO, and Bay Ridge.

Deborah Schwartz/ President/ South Slope/ Garden Reader

“The neighborhood guides are researched carefully by amazing local historians, and written beautifully. They are the perfect mixture of social history and architectural history. If you love exploring neighborhoods: Fort Greene, Park Slope, Flatbush, and others, these books are for you! They make great gifts too!” – Deborah

What is the last book you read? The Goalie’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick by Peter Handke. It’s about anxiety and psychic breakdown.

Any favorite hobbies? Gardening, cooking, and collecting labels.

Why Neighborhood & Architectural History Guide? I love the way this series of books gets you deep inside the story of Brooklyn's fabulous neighborhoods. They are fun and clear to read, and easy to stick in your backpack or purse (or your new BHS Duck Bag!).

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Pick up one or more of the Neighborhood & Architectural History Guides ($10 ($8 for BHS Members) %2Btax) at the BHS Gift Shop and start exploring! We’re open Monday through Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.