Hip Hop is a culture rife with soul and artistry; its rich history is integral to that of New York City out of which it was born. The urban changes of the 1970s and 80s- including urban renewal, "white flight," urban disinvestment, and the "burning of The Bronx"- saw the emergence of the revolutionary DJ'ing, MC'ing, breakdancing, graffiti, and culture that would become known as Hip Hop. Despite this close relationship, Hip Hop does not get the respect or attention it deserves from the city of its birth. In this collection of walks, I will address how Hip Hop emerged from the NYC of the 1970s and 80s, showcasing some key historical monuments and figures of Hip Hop, as well as critiquing how Hip Hop has been or has not been, received, appreciated and celebrated by the city in which it was born.

For this story, we'd like to share our personal picks from our combined collections, that represent what this time of year means to us, and to introduce the team of Librarians, Archivists, Collection Managers, Educators and Administrators, who make up the fantastic staff at the Center for Brooklyn History.

It's Valentine's Day! Here are some of our favorite images of lovebirds throughout the years in a few of our city's most romantic places.

You submitted, and we rounded up our faves! Here are some spectacular shots of moms across NYC's five boroughs throughout the years. Happy Mother’s Day!