Center for Brooklyn History

When the Brooklyn Historical Society joined Brooklyn Public Library in 2020, the merger brought together two of the most significant collections of Brooklyn’s history, creating the largest archive dedicated to the borough in the world. Renamed the Center for Brooklyn History, the institution embarked on a new mission to make its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs more accessible to the public and more representative of Brooklyn’s diverse communities.

Housed in a landmark nineteenth-century building designed by George B. Post, the Center had historically operated as a relatively private research institution. Brooklyn Public Library sought to transform it into a welcoming public destination where visitors could explore Brooklyn’s history, participate in cultural programs, or simply spend time in one of the borough’s most remarkable historic interiors.

Marble Fairbanks began with a comprehensive planning study, working closely with library leadership and staff to assess the building, identify opportunities, and establish a long-term vision for the institution. The first phase of implementation focused on the ground floor, where a reconfigured and accessible entrance, improved wayfinding, and a new welcome area create a clearer and more inviting arrival experience.

Flexible lounge furnishings, a new retail space, and improvements to the Great Hall support a wider range of public activities, from informal reading and gathering to exhibitions and events. New connections to the galleries and the historic Othmer Library encourage visitors to explore the Center’s collections and programs.

By opening the building more fully to the public while respecting its historic character, the project supports Brooklyn Public Library’s ambition to make the borough’s history a shared resource, accessible to the communities whose stories it preserves.