Blog posts by Julie May

POTW: Ruby’s Bar

Julie May

[Pasqualle at Ruby's Bar watching the 1985 World Series], 1985, v1992.48.9; Anders Goldfarb photographs of Coney Island, v1992.48; Brooklyn Historical Society.
A number of things in this photograph are compelling.  As a photographer, it’s the blinding light streaming in over Pasqualle’s head and the way it makes the shadows a contrasting comfort.  For the sports fans it must be the exciting play going on in the most important game of the season.  For mermaids, it’s a sober peek into the long-standing bar in Coney Island.Rubin…

POTW: Who’s your Valentine?

Julie May

[Ann and Stan Moel, twin cantors], 1954, v1991.11.160.1; Harry Kalmus papers and photographs, ARC.046; Brooklyn Historical Society.
In case you forgot, Valentine’s Day is once again upon us.  This week’s photograph is just your pleasant reminder to run out for the last box of chocolates or diamond delicacy because tomorrow might be as hectic as Tax Day, Black Friday, or Christmas Eve.  It’s also a reminder of this institution’s love for the photographs of Harry Kalmus, photographer of Jewish Flatbush in the 1950s.  Here is a…

POTW: Self Portrait

Julie May

Untitled, January 11, 1899, 2010.023.30; 141 Quincy Street photograph album, 2010.023; Brooklyn Historical Society.
This charming photograph comes from a photo album discovered and donated to the Brooklyn Historical Society by the current owner of 141 Quincy Street.  The album contains interior photographs of the home, this young lady’s family members including a sister, both parents, and a baby, in addition to a parade and a few outings.  141 Quincy Street is located between Bedford and Franklin Avenues in the neighborhood…

POTW: Where is our snow?

Julie May

Henry Street & Love Lane, 1888, v1974.40.1.22; Brooklyn Academy of Photography Blizzard of 1888 photograph album, v1974.040; Brooklyn Historical Society.
While I am not hoping for a blizzard to hit Brooklyn, I am crossing my fingers for a little more snow than the dusting we received in the past week or so.  This photograph was taken in 1888 by an unidentified member of the Brooklyn Academy of Photography soon after the Great Blizzard of 1888.  The storm took place on March 12 and 13, affected a large part of the East…

POTW: Volunteerism

Julie May

Reading aloud to the Tuesday group (blind women), ca. 1935, v1991.110.160; Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service records, ARC.129; Brooklyn Historical Society.
As we celebrate Martin Luther King Day and the President calls us to a National Day of Service (http://mlkday.gov/), I turned to the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service records to find a photo of Brooklyn volunteers, and remind us of the little things one can do for the benefit of the larger community. The Bureau of Community Service was an organization that led a…

POTW: Skiing in Prospect Park

Julie May

Brooklyn Photographs: Prospect Park, 1978, v1990.2.182; Donald L. Nowlan Brooklyn collection, ARC. 120; Brooklyn Historical Society.
I am drawn to the photograph above for two reasons: I am writing from my perch in the gallery level of the Brooklyn Historical Society Othmer Library where I can see a section of Clinton Street from my window. Unfortunately, there is not a snowflake to be seen and for that, I am disappointed in December. However, I hear snow is coming to NYC over the weekend while friends in Vermont and family…

POTW: Fulton Ferry Landing

Julie May

Manhattan skyline as seen from Brooklyn Fulton Ferry landing area, ca. 1975, v1989.18.56; DUMBO, Brooklyn waterfront photographs and slides, Joseph Maraio, V1989.018; Brooklyn Historical Society.
This week's post comes from our CHART intern, Twila Rios, who is currently digitizing and cataloging the DUMBO, Brooklyn waterfront photographs and slides by Joseph Maraio.What a difference a few decades make.  This is a picture of a new park deck circa 1975 in the Fulton Ferry area of DUMBO. The two people strolling on the deck are…

POTW: Happy Chanukkah Hanukkah Channuka?

Julie May

Grandmother at Hanukah Party in Brighton Beach, ca. 1980, v1992.43.29; Marcia Bricker photographs, v1992.43; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Happy Chanukkah* Brooklyn!  Wednesday, December 12 is the fourth day and the fifth night of Chanukkah.  So, gamble away your chocolate gelt over a crazy game of dreidl, catch a glimpse of the bike-drawn menorah in Williamsburg, or attend any number of menorah lightings around town, and definitely overdo it on the latkes – Chanukkah comes but 8 days a year!One more thing: call your Bubby and…

POTW: Repeal Day Celebrations

Julie May

Charles Schindler standing behind his busy bar, ca. 1905, v1972.1.1064; Early Brooklyn and Long Island photograph collection, ARC.201; Brooklyn Historical Society.
For those of you who are unaware, today is Repeal Day!  It’s the anniversary of the day that the National Prohibition Act was repealed in 1933.  For 11 unfortunate years, the United States banned the production, sale, and transport of alcohol much to the delight of teetotalers across the country.  You can read more about the history of Prohibition in Brooklyn in my…

POTW: A Sandy Plumb

Julie May

Though I have lived in New York City for 12 years, it took me a while to realize that this city is not exclusively a dominant fortress of pavement and hi-rise buildings.  I knew as most others do about Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Staten Island – the biggies – and rightfully so.  But there are little swathes of land that a lot of people speed by on the way to JFK that have a long and often lovely history that get lost. Plumb Island, now known as Plumb Beach, is one such place.This past summer, I took a staycation in Brooklyn that included a bike ride to the beaches of Fort Tilden every other…

POTW: Sunset Park Pays it Forward

Julie May

While Hurricane Sandy’s gale forces downed trees and wreaked havoc on power and internet lines, the neighborhood did not see the extensive water damage that Red Hook, DUMBO, and the Rockaways did.

@udosero Photos were taken in the areas between 4th & 10th Ave and between 54th and 68th St. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=437824276279897
@udosero Photos were taken in the areas between 4th & 10th Ave and between 54th and 68th St. https://www.facebook.com/…

POTW: Red Hook beating Sandy back

Julie May

Well, Red Hook was slammed by Hurricane Sandy.  There are several photographs on our Storify page documenting the high water line that submerged many businesses and homes along the waterfront.

@ginjula This is the collapsing waterfront by the Barge Museum. #RedHook #BrooklynPhotos @brooklynhistory pic.twitter.com/13Q77pAN
 
@leahloscut Still pumping water from 543 union street, the third day pumping #gowanus #sandy #brooklynphotos twitgoo.com/68xwdd
As…

POTW: Carroll Park after Hurricane Sandy

Julie May

Our public historian, Julie Golia, tweeted a downed tree just outside of Carroll Park caused by Hurricane Sandy.

@JulieThePH One of many old, large trees down near Carroll Park. @brooklynhistory #brooklynphotos #carrollgardens pic.twitter.com/ZdFKSTzn
As many of you can probably guess, Carroll Park is in Carroll Gardens and takes up the block between Smith and Court Streets and Carroll and President Streets.  NYC Parks Department identifies it as the 3rd oldest park in Brooklyn – it was established in the 1840s, around the…

POTW: It’s the Great Pumpkin!

Julie May

Two trick-or-treaters, ca. 1965, v1991.11.2.42; Harry Kalmus papers and photographs, ARC.046; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Happy Halloween, Brooklyn!  Another great photograph from one of our favorites, Harry Kalmus.  This color slide is from his series of personal and family photographs and likely captures his children about to venture out in search of candy from the neighbors.  The photograph is also a charming reminder of simple, homemade costumes in a world where store-bought ones are increasingly the norm.   Anyway, be…

POTW: One of the many photography studios in Brooklyn

Julie May

North side of DeKalb Avenue between Carlton Avenue and Adelphi Street, 1958, v1974.4.53; John D. Morrell photographs, ARC.005; Brooklyn Historical Society.
While we have highlighted the photographs of John D. Morrell more than a couple times on this blog, I can’t help but do it once more.  Near and dear to my heart is the evidence of the photography industry and its professionals and amateurs throughout Brooklyn.Many may be aware that there were studios galore on Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn during the early years of…

POTW: Furman Street

Julie May

From the desk of Julie May, Photo Archivist: The first noticeable and great thing about this photograph is the cars, I think. While the new Fiat is sweetly round and compact, I personally don’t think it compares to the curvy lines of the cars above. I imagine they were pretty utilitarian, but I find them romantically stylish. This picture depicts Furman Street – a Furman Street that is…

Bicycling in Brooklyn

Julie May

As you may know, it's bike month in the U.S. and Brooklyn cyclists and our streets tend to be big participants.  Once again, I'd like to highlight more of the photographs from our historic collection that depict the bikes of our past.  As you'll see, not much has changed.  People still take their bikes to picnic in Prospect Park, lounge by the beach, and trek over our  many bridges. Happy Bike Month everyone -- be sure to check out the many activities going on: http://bikemonthnyc.org/events

The Reverend Obadiah Holmes Clock at the Brooklyn Historical Society

Julie May

I received an email some three years ago about a clock that was rumored to be standing in the main floor of the library at the Brooklyn Historical Society. The person asking happened to be a descendent of the original owner of this clock (which was given to the Long Island Historical Society (now known as the Brooklyn Historical Society) in May of 1869. I looked downstairs and saw no clock and could not recall ever having seen a clock (except for the plastic one on the ref desk) in my tenure at BHS. After a bit more head scratching, card catalog searching, and widespread questioning I located…

The Blizzard of 1888

Julie May

Interested in seeing more photos from BHS' collection? Visit our online image gallery. Use this database to search for individual photographs. Currently a small number of our images are available online, but we regularly add new photographs. You can also visit BHS' Othmer Library Wed-Fri, 1-5pm to search through our entire collection of images.

Repeal Day is this Sunday!

Julie May

For those of you who are unaware, let me tell you that Sunday is an important date in United States history.  Sunday is Repeal Day.  77 years ago on December 7, 1933 the 21st Amendment reversed the 18th Amendment enforced by the Volstead Act and referred to as the Noble Experiment, the Great Illusion, and possibly some other names I should not list here.  The 21st Amendment ended 13 years of illegal activity related to the sale, distribution, and public consumption of alcohol.  If the culture of New York City was anything like it is today, how could our pickled residents of yore have…