Brooklyn Free Kindergarten Society collection
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Abstract
The Brooklyn Free Kindergarten Society collection spans the dates 1892 to 2016 and contains annual reports, copies of the Society's monthly newsletter, The Free Kindergarten, and a 125th anniversary booklet. The annual reports span the years 1892 to 1918 and 1920 to 1931. The Brooklyn Free Kindergarten Society was founded in 1891 as the Brooklyn Kindergarten Association with the mission of providing early childhood education to children in Brooklyn's impoverished immigrant neighborhoods, and to promote interest in such work throughout the City (and later, Borough) of Brooklyn.
Historical note
The Brooklyn Free Kindergarten Society was founded in 1891 as the Brooklyn Kindergarten Association with the mission of providing early childhood education to children in Brooklyn's impoverished immigrant neighborhoods, and to promote interest in such work throughout the City (and later, Borough) of Brooklyn. With this in mind, the Association established the first free kindergarten classes in Brooklyn soon after its formation. The name of the Association was changed to the Brooklyn Free Kindergarten Society in 1895, and as of 2010, it is known simply as the Brooklyn Kindergarten Association. The Society continues to carry out its core mission, serving immigrant and low-income children in the Crown Heights, Brownsville, and Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhoods of Brooklyn.
Scope and Contents
The Brooklyn Free Kindergarten Society collection, measuring 0.4 linear feet and spanning the dates 1892 to 2016, contains annual reports, copies of the Society's monthly newsletter, The Free Kindergarten, and a 125th anniversary booklet. The annual reports span the years 1892 to 1918 and 1920 to 1931. They document the Society's activities, accomplishments and financial standing for each year, and feature member and donor lists. The copies of the Society's newsletter span the years 1919 to 1922. They document its month-to-month activities and feature articles that offer insight into the educational philosophies of the era.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Brooklyn Free Kindergarten Society collection, 1985.098, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The source and date of acquisition for this collection are unknown. The collection was formally accessioned in 1985. 125th anniversary booklet gift of Nancy Pearsall, 2016.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Minimally processed to the collection level. 125th anniversary booklet added to the collection by John Zarrillo, March 2017.
