learning places spring 2016 library / archive report
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Learning Places Spring 2016
LIBRARY / ARCHIVE REPORT Central Library: Brooklyn Public Library
Mariam Kamagaté
02.29.2016
INTRODUCTION
Upon going to this library, we were supposed to get a rough and early feel of what part of Vinegar Hill
we are looking to hone in on. Through this visit, we were meant to make an attempt to zoom in into
not only a certain location but a time period too.
PRE-VISIT REFLECTION
I love this library and always had as a child so I was extremely thrilled to come here on an archive visit.
I never actually knew what an archive was, yet alone that my favorite Brooklyn Library Branch has one
as well. I am interested to see what kind of information they have on Vinegar Hill. I am still a little
anxious because I’m still unsure about what part of Vinegar Hill I want to focus on let alone what time
period and now is a perfect time to start collecting information which adds more to my anxiety.
SOURCES found
1. Leonard Benardo & Jennifer Weiss, Brooklyn By Name
2. E. Belcher Hyde, Atlas of the Borough of Brooklyn, Volume One, 1903
DOCUMENTATION of site & resources (maps/archival documents/photos)
This is the opening page to the book which includes some of the maps shown below in the rest of this
report and so many other maps, this is the index page of the book documenting what the color coding
represents as well as giving the viewer an overview of what these maps cover, and even the overview
is detailed. It states who created this collection as well as the issued date, and any other information
someone may find useful.
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This is an important picture because it explains exactly what the color coding on the map indicates, it
is an index, a very thorough index, all of the index can not be seen in this picture, but there is so much
more to it than just what’s here.
This is just a more zoomed in focus of
the map below, so this map is
particularly focused on Bridge street,
Jay Street, Plymouth Street, Water
Street, and Front Street. This map does
a great job at really documenting all
the units, whether they be residential,
commercial, or industrial, this map has
it all and made sure to have the
building material documented and
coded. It shows roads and alleys.
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This map is the other half of the map below.
Much detailed documentation going on. Here
St. Annes church and school are both
documented here. A public bath can also be
seen on this map. This map includes the map
of the many factories and stores in this
particular area, as well as depicting all the
residential units on each block. The picture of
this map is looking over Gold Street, Bridge
Street, Marshall Street, John Street, Jay
Street, Plymouth Street, Water Street, and
Front Street.
This map is important because it has so much
visual documentation recorded. It is extremely
detailed, as any map should be. It shows the
roads, stores, restaurants, factories, and
residential buildings. The color coding depicts
the type of material used for the individual
buildings, and this map also documents a
potential plan as in was in development and
showing exactly how this plan will impact the
community and the structure of this
community, the plan shown here is a proposed
bridge from Canal and Bowery.
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DISCOVERIES
1. Neighborhood History
a. Very Industrial based
b. Growing residential population.
2. Key Events / Historical Dates
a. Proposed Bridge from Canal Street and Bowery
b. Public Bath
c. St. Annes Church
3. Key Players
a. Henry Sands
b. Joshua Sands
c. T. H. Smith
4. Relationship Key Players
a. Land owners
b. Potential map maker
5. Public Perception of Key Events
a. New connection to wherever the bridge ended
b. Space for those who need it
c. Church for the beloved wife of Joshua Sands
6. Important Changes to Neighborhood
a. Most if the factories no longer exist
b. Most of the stores have been replaced with residential buildings
7. Other Observations
a. Much more designated Allies
b. So many factories
c. A lot of residential buildings on one block no matter how small or big.
TOPICS & KEYWORDS
Henry Sands, Joshua Sands, Comfort Sands, Front Street, Water Street, Plymouth Street, Foster
Pumpkins, Armstrong Cork Company, Hanan & SOn Shoe Factory, E.W. Bliss & Foundry, Grand Union
Tea Company, E. Burt & Company Shoe Factory, T.H. Smith.
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QUANTITATIVE DATA for Area of Study
Subject Data
Land Ownership Henry and Joshua Sands
Number of Blocks Two Blocks
# of Buildings on a Typical Block
About 27
Materials Brick and wood
# of Stories of Buildings Unknown to me
Residential Bldgs About 22
Empty Lots About 14
Commercial Uses One
Industrial Uses Three
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QUESTIONS to Research Further
QUESTIONS:
1. Why were these maps created in the first place?
2. How many copies of these maps are there?
3. How many of these street names still exist?
RESEARCH METHOD/ ADDITIONAL SOURCES NEEDED TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION ABOVE:
1. Question 1
a. Lookup reasons as to why maps were created
b. Check the map to see if it states its purpose
c. Lookup the names on the map and see what kind of maps this person created
2. Question 2
a. See if the map has an issue number
b. Lookup and see how many copies of the map were created
c. See how many original works were produced
3. Question 3
a. Simply compare a handful of maps, maybe overlay them
b. Choose some streets and go physically see if they’re still there
c. Look in a book that lists all the names of streets in Brooklyn and match the names
SUMMARY / POST VISIT REFLECTION
I really enjoyed being in this space it was so beautiful and awesome, I now love the Brooklyn Central
Library even more. I love how secluded the archive was from the rest of the library, being that this is a
big library this wasn’t a surprise to me but I never knew this existed so it was pretty cool. There was a
plethora of information as any library should have but it was a little overwhelming especially since I
wasn’t sure of my research but I definitely was left with where to find a lot of information on certain
topics, if and when I figured out what my attention was drawn to, I am looking forward to coming
back here to collect more information for this project.
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