Brooklyn Heights Association collection
Call Number
Dates
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The Brooklyn Heights Association collection includes newsletters, bulletins, bylaws, annual reports, and correspondence that document the Association's activities. The bulk of the material dates to the 1960s-70s.
Historical note
The Brooklyn Heights Association ("BHA") was formed in 1910, and remains the oldest neighborhood association in New York City. Residents and business owners in Brooklyn Heights organized the group to advocate for the improvement and preservation of the neighborhood. The Association formed committees to address issues pertinent to resident and neighborhood concerns, such as civil improvement, police, traffic, parking, trees, and recreation. BHA supported the New York City Landmarks Preservation Law and in 1965, Brooklyn Heights was designated as the first Historic District in New York City. In 2010, BHA celebrated its centennial anniversary and remains an active and influential organization in Brooklyn Heights.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series: Series 1: Documents and ephemera and Series 2: Publications. Within each series, materials are arranged roughly chronologically.
Scope and Contents
Materials in the collection include newsletters, bulletins, bylaws, annual reports, treasurers reports, letters to the general membership, and other correspondence. Newsletters and bulletins constitute a large portion of the collection, detailing the work of the Association and the concerns of members. Topics frequently addressed in newsletters and bulletins include parking, crime, neighborhood appearance, and schools. A significant percentage of the material focuses specifically on the creation of the Brooklyn Heights Historic District in 1965 and historic preservation concerns in the neighborhood in general.
Subjects
Organizations
Topics
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Brooklyn Heights Association collection, ARC.148, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This is an artificial composite collection and the exact source and date of acquisition for the collection is unknown. Some of the materials were mailed to the Long Island Historical Society directly.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
If digital surrogates exist, they should be used in place of the originals whenever possible.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Originally minimally processed to the collection level, this collection was fully reprocessed to the folder level in July 2023 by Dee Bowers.
Sponsor Note
Revisions to this Guide
Repository
Series 1: Documents and ephemera
By-Laws and administrative information, circa 1910-1980, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes 1959 treasurer's report, 1962 list of commercial members, and results from a survey of the membership.
Meeting and event programs, 1930s-1940s, 1975, inclusive
Committee information and correspondence, 1939
Ephemera, circa 1950s-2010s
Scope and Contents
Includes brochures, mailings, and one oversize meeting poster.
Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary), 1960
Other organizations, circa 1960s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes Downtown Area Renewal Effort (DARE), Kingsland Preservation Committee, and Committee for Community Building.
Letters to members, 1960s-1990s, inclusive
Urban Renewal, 1961
Scope and Contents
Includes information related to Cobble Hill.
