Series 11: Education, 1980-2020, inclusive

In the late 1980s, the Education Department of the Brooklyn Historical Society launched the Brooklyn Life Project—an initiative to collect stories from Brooklyn residents about their lives in the borough. Under the direction of Madeline Slovenz (Coordinator of the Brooklyn Life Project), and later Diane Esses, the department interviewed dozens of Brooklyn natives. The call for Brooklyn Life Associates was open to all, with special emphasis on the narratives of older patrons. Many of these stories were then featured in public programming or in the "Brooklynites" section of Brooklyn's History Museum, the first long-term exhibition on the borough's history.

From its establishment in 1984 until 2013, the Education Department was responsible for all public programming at the Brooklyn Historical Society. This included walking tours, lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and multicultural programs, such as cultural performances, children's activities, crafts, slide presentations, and parties. While the topics of these programs varied, they were typically linked to the ongoing exhibitions.

In 2013, Marcia Ely was hired as Vice President of Programs and External Affairs, leading to the creation of a separate public programming department. As a result, the Education Department shifted its focus to school programming and teacher professional development workshops.

In 2001, the Brooklyn Historical Society, in collaboration with Hofstra University and the New York City Department of Education, received a Teaching American History Grant for the Gateway to the City project. Over three years, this grant facilitated staff development, provided resources such as books and technology for classrooms, and supported the public showcasing of teachers' projects.

Gateway to the City aimed to familiarize teachers and students with the wealth of historical resources accessible in New York City through curated trips, access to primary sources, and thematic programs. Hofstra University professors provided pedagogical support, while Lynda Kennedy, BHS's Manager of Teacher Outreach (2001-2003), assisted teachers with materials, staff development, and field trips. Additionally, the project included an annual Summer Institute for teachers to develop curriculum units, participate in technology and primary source workshops, and engage with New York City history scholars.

Launched in 2004, Town Criers: Young Curators Reveal Historical News was a three-year partnership between the Brooklyn Historical Society and three Brooklyn high schools: Midwood High School (2004-2005), Paul Robeson High School (2005-2006), and Cobble Hill High School of American Studies (2006-2007). Each year, BHS museum staff and subject area specialists collaborated with students to create a traveling exhibition and an original theatrical production that illustrated how national events influenced everyday life in Brooklyn.

Exhibition Laboratory (ExLab) was an afterschool program launched by the Brooklyn Historical Society in 2006 to expand its educational offerings to high school students. Participants, ranging from 9th to 12th grades, researched and prepared all aspects of Brooklyn-related exhibits. This included selecting artifacts, writing exhibit scripts, preparing object labels, collaborating with design teams, and installing the exhibits. The program concluded in 2015 when it became difficult to sustain.

Young Curators was an after-school program where students researched and curated exhibits about their school's neighborhood. Over a dozen elementary and middle schools participated, with each school producing three professionally designed exhibit panels that were displayed within their premises. Guided by BHS staff, the students researched a topic in their neighborhood's history, analyzed primary and secondary sources, and communicated their findings through the exhibit panels. The program ended in 2015 when the Young Scholars program was introduced at P.S. 312 in Bergen Beach. Both programs received funding through Cultural After School Adventure (CASA) grants from local City Council members.

Young Scholars was an after-school program where students conducted research and authored books on topics related to Brooklyn's history. The initiative stemmed from the Brooklyn Historical Society's Young Curators program, in which students participated in researching and curating exhibits about their school's neighborhood. Both programs received funding through Cultural After School Adventure (CASA) grants from local City Council Members.

The books published as part of the Young Scholars program cover a range of topics, including sewers, cemeteries, freedom and abolition, the Brooklyn Bridge, immigration, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the sugar industry, and various Brooklyn neighborhoods.