Did you know a dozen original Dutch houses still stand in Brooklyn? Dating back as far as 1652, the houses are owned by both public and private interests, and some are even still used as residences. The homes were the topic of discussion at last night’s Annual History Night, hosted by Bay Improvement Group.
BIG President Barrison presents Schweiger with a "deed" to the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Borough Historian Ron Schweiger regaled a crowd of around 60 residents with stories of the houses and their families. Some of the homes stand intact and even have crockery, furniture and other artifacts that go back hundreds of years. Other houses, like the Old Stone House in Park Slope, were torn down and rebuilt from mostly original pieces (in the case of this house, it was rebuit in the 1930s when a Work Progress Administration park project on the site uncovered the stones and other items from the 1699 building).
The hour-and-a-half presentation kicked off with the history of the Dutch in New York State, from their naming Coney Island (originally Konijnen Eiland, meaning Rabbit Island) to exploring the rest of the state. Schweiger traced back some of the famous families, many of whose names grace our roadways (Hubbard, Henderson, Ryder, Van Wyck). The talk then turned to Dutch architecture, with Schweiger pointing out that all Dutch houses have curved roof lines and face south, before turning to the individual houses and their histories. Some of the houses reflect new preservation efforts, and are adding to Brooklyn’s status as a historical asset. Not everything gets razed to be a condo…
Keep reading and see a list of the houses – all near to each other – to create your own personal tour
From Bay Improvement Group:
Ron Schweiger, the Brooklyn Historian, will present his exclusive presentation: The Dutch Houses of Brooklyn at 8 p.m. at Sunrise Assisted Living (2211 Emmons Avenue) on Monday, May 10. There are about 12 or 13 remaining original Dutch Houses in Brooklyn. The oldest dates to 1652 and is the oldest in NYC and perhaps NYS. Mr. Schweiger will discuss their history and show the slides that he just recently put together, including some interior views. Some houses are open to the public and some are privately owned.
Don’t miss this exclusive presentation.
Free parking and refreshments at conclusion will be available. This special Annual History Meeting is presented as part of BayFest 2010. All are invited to come and enjoy this free, delightful and eye-opening presentation!
View the flier
(Courtesy of Bay Improvement Group)In the lead up to BayFest 2009, Bay Improvement Group is inviting the community for a special free screening of the PBS documentary on Coney Island, “American Experience: Coney Island” on Monday, May 11th. Beginning at 8pm, the video will be accompanied by a BayFest “pep talk”, planning and volunteer sign-up.
The event was originally to be attended by Brooklyn Historian Ron Schweiger. In place of the screening he was to present his slide show “Coney Island Remembered”, which includes rare historic photos of our sister neighborhood. Unfortunately, Schweiger is recovering from an emergency medical procedure. All of us at Sheepshead Bites send our wishes.
When: May 11th at 8pm
Where: Sunrise Assisted Living. 2211 Emmons Avenue.
Cost: Free
Free parking and refreshment at conclusion
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