“Roots of Modern Brooklyn” events in April and May

The Brooklyn Historical Society, in conjunction with Brooklyn College and the Borough President's office, is presenting an exhibit and series of discussions that will examine the events of the 1970s and 80s which led to the ongoing renaissance of the Borough.  It will begin on Monday evening, April 16th, with an invitation-only reception at the Society .  The honoree at the reception will be former Borough President Howard Golden.  To join the Society, go to their website or to the front desk of the Society, at 128 Pierrepont, at the corner of Clinton, open from 12 noon until 5:00 P.M. Wednesday through Sunday.

The remaining two events are open to all, and apparently (no mention of any charge is made in the materials supplied by BHS) free. There will be an all-day event on Thursday, April 26, at the Brooklyn College Library.  Registration begins at 9:15 A.M., followed by a keynote address, "Modern Brooklyn in Context", by Dr. John Mollenkopf of the City University Graduate Center.  This will be followed by three panel discussions:

(1) "Neighborhood Revival in Brooklyn" (11:00 A.M. to 12:45 P.M.), moderated by Ronald Shiffman, founder of the Pratt Institute Center for Community and Economic Development;

(2) "Image and Perception: The Changing View of Brooklyn" (1:00 to 3:00 P.M. – the flyer notes that box lunches will be provided and seating is limited, so it's probably best to sign up for this session bright and early to get a seat and the evidently free lunch), moderated by Dr. Robert Viscusi of Brooklyn College, and with a panel including Brooklyn Brewery founder Steve Hindy, Borough Historian John Manbeck, BAM Next Wave producer Joseph Melillo and BC Professor Sharon Zukin; and

(3) "Re-Making of Brooklyn: Major Projects and Initiatives" (3:30 to 5:30 P.M.),  moderated by Alair Townsend, former City Budget Director and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, now with Crain's New York Business.

The activities will end in a festive way on Saturday, May 12 at Borough Hall, with a celebration of "Neighborhood Day: Living History of the Era".  This will include an oral history studio, in which everyone is invited to share their experiences of Brooklyn neighborhoods in the 1970s and 80s; moderated panel discussions by community activists and journalists; and a live cablecast/webcast hosted by Brooklyn native and prolific author Pete Hamill, presented in conjunction with Brooklyn Community Access Television.  

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