Daniel J. Kern recollections of Brooklyn
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Abstract
The writings included in this collection were submitted by Daniel J. Kern to the Brooklyn Historical Society over a course of nearly two years. They cover a wide array of topics pertaining to Brooklyn history as experienced and observed through the eyes of Kern. Topics covered include Coney Island; Steeplechase and Luna Parks; the silent movie industry of Brooklyn and some of its stars; ice deliveries from the Knickerbocker Ice Company; Brooklyn's Trolley Cars; Castle Clinton; various ethnic group interactions; and some Jewish history. Throughout the pieces, Mr. Kern reminisces about businesses and places he knew as a child and compares the Brooklyn of his childhood to the Brooklyn of the early 1980s.
Biographical note
Daniel J. Kern was born in 1905 and raised in the South Greenfield area of Brooklyn (currently known as the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn). Kern graduated from Fordham University in 1930 and went on to teach classical languages at St. Francis Preparatory School. He studied art at the Brooklyn Institute and was a member of the Art Students League of New York.
In 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve in World War II. In 1943, he was moved to the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program and worked on recovering works of art stolen by Nazis during the war. In 1945, he was the Monuments Officer for Bavaria.
He began sending in his remembrances of Brooklyn to the Brooklyn Historical Society in 1986. Kern moved from Brooklyn to Hendersonville, North Carolina in 1978. He died on November 2, 1987 and is buried in Forest Hills, New York.
Arrangement
The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.
Scope and Contents
The writings included in this collection were submitted by Daniel J. Kern to the Brooklyn Historical Society over a course of nearly two years. They cover a wide array of topics pertaining to Brooklyn history as experienced and observed through the eyes of Kern. Topics covered include Coney Island; Steeplechase and Luna Parks; the silent movie industry of Brooklyn and some of its stars; ice deliveries from the Knickerbocker Ice Company; Brooklyn's Trolley Cars; Castle Clinton; various ethnic group interactions; and some Jewish history. Throughout the pieces, Mr. Kern reminisces about businesses and places he knew as a child and compares the Brooklyn of his childhood to the Brooklyn of the early 1980s.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Open to users 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); Daniel J. Kern recollections of Brooklyn, 1992.024, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Daniel J. Kern, 1986.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
If digital surrogates exist, they should be used in place of the originals whenever possible.
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