I just got this announcement from someone at the Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA), which is in the throes of a yearlong celebration of their 100th anniversary:

The BHA is sponsoring “Brooklyn in Prints: A Special Gathering”, a curated exhibit featuring rare and unusual prints and images tracing the history of the borough from its farmland days to the 21st century.  This exhibit, which will be held at the Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS), will be open to the public for two weeks from Saturday, February 27 until Sunday, March 14. An opening night reception and gallery talk will be held Friday, February 26, from 6:30 to 8:30. Prints will be available for purchase with a share of the proceeds going to both Heights organizations.

This event will be held at the Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS), will be open to the public for two weeks from Saturday, February 27 until Sunday, March 14. An opening night reception and gallery talk will be held Friday, February 26, from 6:30 to 8:30. Prints will be available for purchase with a share of the proceeds going to both Heights organizations.

The Heights Association was founded one hundred years ago at the BHS’s building, then known as the Long Island Historical Society.  The New York Times wrote, on February 6, 1910, that the residents “arose in their wrath [and gave] a forcible object lesson of their demands…”   The uncannily predictive headline to the story appeared as “HEIGHTS DEMANDS RIGHTS,” which began a long tradition culminating in the 50-block area’s designation as the City’s first historic district 55 years later, in 1965.

The exhibit, curated by the The Old Print Shop of Manhattan, is intended to stir appreciation of the Borough’s history and remind today’s residents of the great legacy of architecture and achievements which contribute to the quality of our lives today. Among the unusual prints which will be featured will be a large, detailed lithograph showing the Heights from Williamsburg done in 1848; a moody print by Stowe Wengenroth showing Columbia Heights at night in 1945; a color etching of a cheerful State Street stoop scene from 1949 by Mortimer Borne; and etchings by Joseph Pennell from the early 20th century as well as many images of the Brooklyn Bridge. There will be over 50 prints on view.

Reception and Gallery Talk Admission: $15; BHA and BHS Members: $10
Please RSVP by calling 718.422.4111 or email vservice@brooklynhistory.org