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Books in Brooklyn: The History of Brooklyn's Libraries
Story
Since the founding of the city, Brooklyn has had many civic groups dedicated to encouraging education. In the mid-19th century, a number of libraries emerged that would form the basis of the Brooklyn Library today. This is the story of how it came to be.
169 Atlantic Avenue
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The Brooklyn Academy of Music, opening in 1861, was the Athenaeum’s greatest rival, and BAM was larger, closer to the homes of the Heights elite, and attracted first class orchestras and performers. The Athenaeum adapted, and became a meeting place for organizations, rallies, and revivals, as well as a more traditional lecture and performance venue. It worked for a long time, until 1902, when the City of New York took over the third floor, which contained the auditorium and ante-rooms, as a courtroom for the Court of Special Sessions. The court stayed until at least 1932.
169 Atlantic Avenue
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The Brooklyn Athenaeum and Reading Room was founded in 1852 by a group of prominent Brooklyn citizens as a library and respite for young men. There they could gather for instruction and that "innocent relaxation," which the wear and tear of mercantile life so imperiously demands, according to its first president, John Taylor, in his first annual report. The three story building, designed by William Field, had commercial storefronts on the ground floor, including a book store, the reading room and library on the second, and the concert/lecture hall, which could hold 2,000 people, on the third.
Before Wegmans: Grocers of Downtown Brooklyn
Story
Though the excitement of Wegmans coming to Brooklyn might seem like an anomaly, Brooklynites have always been quick to celebrate a good grocer or butcher. Here are two famed grocers that inspired fervor over the years.
169 Atlantic Avenue
Post
The building was torn down in 1942, the event recorded in a photograph in the New York Public Library’s collection. Today, Key Food occupies the site of the Athenaeum.
Photos
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169 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn Athenaeum
Athenaeum Hall Facade of large three-story building, Athenaeum Hall, Clinton Street and Atlantic Avenue; fire escape on front of building, pedestrian (woman), two parked trucks, and street light in left foreground, two parked automobiles, two pedestrians (men), and man pushing hand truck in right foreground, fire hydrant in center foreground, residential buildings on both sides, and intersecting streets.
173 Atlantic Avenue
On trail of scarce foods Caption: "On trail of scarce foods--Hundreds of shoppers \[mostly back to camera] line up for blocks outside A & P at 173 Atlantic Ave. Note baby carriages in the queue." Image includes many parked and moving automobiles and other vehicles.
175 Clinton Street
\[175 Clinton Street (laundry at right) center.] 175 Clinton Street (laundry at right) center.
Brooklyn Athenaeum
Brooklyn: Clinton Street - Atlantic Avenue 173-177 Clinton Street, at the N.E. corner of Atlantic Ave. No. 177 at the corner, was occupied prior to 1932, as the Court of Special Sessions. Also seen is Atlantic Ave., north side, east from Clinton Street. April 29, 1935. P. L. Sperr.
169 Atlantic Avenue
177 ATLANTIC AVENUE
Brooklyn Athenaeum
Brooklyn: Atlantic Avenue - Clinton Street Atlantic Ave., at the N.E. corner of Clinton Street showing the Brooklyn Athenaeum designed by William Field and erected at a cost of $60,000. The first floor was for commercial enterprises; the second for reading and for private rooms, the third floor had a concert hall capable of seating 2000 people. It gave the first Italian Opera in 1858. The Philharmonic Society held its first concert here. The Reading Room was opened to the public on May 7, 1858. The Mercantile Library was here but later moved to Montague Street. John Homsey purchased it in 1922. In 1929 it housed the Court of Special Sessions. 1922\. Eugene L. Armbruster Collection.
Brooklyn Athenaeum
Brooklyn: Clinton Street - Atlantic Avenue Clinton Street, east side, from and including Atlantic Ave., to and including State Street. This is a view of the N.E. corner of Atlantic Ave., and Clinton Street, showing the old Brooklyn Athenaeum, famous in the 70's and 80's as an auditorium. Later used as a Court Room. June 11, 1927. P. L. Sperr.
169 Atlantic Avenue
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