Browse Exhibits (5 total)

Alicia Alonso: Dancing with eyes closed

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Acclaimed Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso had severe eye problems. At the age of nineteen, after many operations for detached retinas in both eyes, young Alicia received a prognosis that changed her life: she would never again be able to dance. In the months she lied motionless in bed, the ballerina rehearsed in her head and with her fingertips. Every day she danced with her hands, working on Giselle.

Her vision was permanently damaged, and she had to learn how to walk and see again. It was a long recovery time, but Alonso was able to go back to dancing, first as an instructor. In a turn of events, Alicia was invited to perform Giselle at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, even though she had only rehearsed that ballet in her mind.

The life of this courageous dancer is portrayed in Beatrice Siegel's book: Alicia Alonso, the Story of a Ballerina. Both the book and the writer's papers are housed in the Brooklyn College Archives and Special Collections.

This exhibit features research materials assembled by Beatrice Siegel while she was writing Alicia's biography.

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Ethiopia and Beyond: New Additions to the Hess Collection

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Robert L. Hess was a noted scholar of Ethiopian History who served as president of Brooklyn College from 1979 to 1992. In 1993, the Robert L. Hess Collection in African and Ethiopian history was deeded to the Brooklyn College Library by the late-President Hess’s widow, Frances A. Hess. Mrs. Hess has endowed a fund which allows the college to both care for and add to Dr. Hess’ Collection. The Hess Collection on Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa currently contains more than 5,000 volumes.

This exhibit features a small sample of the recent additions and donations to Dr. Hess’ collection. It is composed of artifacts that were donated from the Hess family to the Brooklyn College Archives, in 2016, featuring baskets, paintings, and other artifacts related to the culture and religions of Ethiopia, collected by the Hess family in their travels.

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The William Alfred Collection

William Alfred was an alumnus of Brooklyn College who continued his education at Harvard University, where he received his PhD and became a beloved and respected professor of English. Within this world of academia, he was known for his courses in early English literature, playwriting, and poetry. He remained a Professor Emeritus until his death in 1999. 

His first play, Hogan's Goat, was based on his Irish Catholic upbringing in Brooklyn. It received postitive critical reviews during its 607 performances Off-Broadway from 1965 to 1967. Faye Dunaway was cast in the role of Kathleen Stanton, wife of the play's main character. This performance both began her accomplished career, as well as her lifelong friendship with Alfred.

William Alfred went on to write the musical Cry for Us All, appearing on Broadway in 1972, and the play The Curse of an Aching Heart, which came to Broadway in 1982. 

This exhibit features photographs, programs, and posters from Alfred's life and career that were collected and maintained by Alfred himself. 

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The YWCA of Brooklyn: Empowering Women Since 1888

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A predecessor of the YWCA was formed in New York City in 1858, the Ladies Christian Association.  In 1866 the term Young Women’s Christian Association came into being, when Boston chose the name for its organization. 

The Young Women’s Christian Association of Brooklyn was formed in December 1887 when a group of 30 women, inspired by associations in Baltimore, Boston, and New York City, voted to establish an organization for the empowerment of young women. Mrs. Harriet Judson served as the first President of the Association, from 1888-1922.

The goals of these associations were to help and support women in a changing industrial world. Women needed jobs, and training in order to get them. Along with its wide variety of classes and affordable housing options, the YWCA provided a space for women and girls to meet and socialize.  One of the first endeavors for the brand-new organization was the establishment of the United States’ first school of practical nursing (1890).

Several years later, in 1899, the Brooklyn YWCA opened an Employment Bureau through which the young women could find jobs to match their new skills.

After opening an African American branch in 1903, and an International Institute in 1919, Brooklyn was the first YWCA in the country to fully integrate its programs and residences, in 1943. In the 1970’s the Young Women’s Christian Association of Brooklyn became a secular organization, and changed its name to the YWCA of Brooklyn.

Through its continually evolving programs and services, the YWCA continues to strive toward achieving social justice and the goals of its current slogan: “Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women.”

Today, the YWCA Brooklyn furthers its mission by providing over 300 safe, permanent, affordable homes for low-income and formerly homeless women, most of whom are survivors of gender-based violence; a college access program serving low-income girls of color; education, employment readiness and legal assistance for immigrant women; social justice advocacy; and a community center that is a nexus for over 100 progressive grassroots organizations to come together as one vibrant community driving civic engagement, responsible development, gender and racial justice, economic equity, education, and activism.   To learn more about the Brooklyn YWCA, visit http://www.ywcabklyn.org.

The items in this exhibit are from the YWCA of Brooklyn collection, which was processed by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

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Flatbush & The Junction A Pictorial Journey

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Through maps, photographs, and documents, this exhibit traces the history of the land where Brooklyn College sits, as well as the surrounding neighborhood.

Flatbush and the Junction - A Pictorial Journey

VLAACKE BOSCH ~ flat bush or woods

VLAACK LANDT ~ flat land

Flatbush and Flatlands, which were originally settled by the Dutch, were two of the six original towns that make up the modern borough of Brooklyn. Dutch settlers acquired the land from the Lenape Indians. In 1636 Flatlands, then called new Amersfoordt (after a town in Holland), was sold to Governor Wouter Van Twiller, who divided the land among himself, Andries Hudde, Wolphet Gerritsen, and Jacobus van Corlear. In 1652, Governor Peter Stuyvesant authorized the establishment of the town of Midwout (now Flatbush). The Lenape tribe that lived in Canarsee was not pleased, and demanded payment. After some resistance, the Governor relented and the tribe was paid. One of the earliest residents of Midwout was indentured servant Jan Aertsen Van-der-bilt, great-great-great-grandfather of "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt.

Flatlands is a quiet neighborhood today, and its outlines can be seen on the 1873 and 1890 maps, just south and east of Flatbush. The boundaries of Flatbush today vary depending on who's describing them, but it roughly begins at Parkside and Ocean Avenues at the southwest entrance of Prospect Park, includes some of Coney Island Avenue on the west, and spans east to Nostrand Avenue, while Avenue H marks part of its southern edge. The path of Flatbush Avenue follows an old Native American trail. 

The towns remainded agricultural into the 19th century. The area was rich farmland, and colonists grew vegetables and tobacco, as well as raising livestock. Jamaica Bay was a rich source of clams. The coming of the railroad to Flatbush in 1878, and horsecar service to Flatlands in 1875 encouraged development in both areas. More growth occurred with the annexation of both towns into greater Brooklyn - Flatbush in 1894 and Flatlands in 1896. Farmland became housing developments such as Vanderveer Park.

The opening of the Brooklyn College campus in fall 1937 marked yet another change for the Flatbush and Flatlands neighborhoods, which continue to evolve today, as seen in the photographs in this exhibit. Many of the images are courtesy of the BRIAN MERLIS Collection/oldNYCphotos.com. More images of the area and the campus can be found in the Archives, along with many books about the history of this area and Brooklyn in general.

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