Couple at Prospect Park, ca.1950, v1991.11.11.2; Natalie Kalmus and Frana Kalmus Baruch Collection; Brooklyn Historic Society.

Harry Kalmus was a Brooklyn-born photographer who grew up in the neighborhood of East New York. After serving in World War II, he returned to Brooklyn to become a professional photographer. He was a photographer for a Manhattan advertising agency as well as a special events photographer, shooting mainly in bar mitzvahs and weddings in Brooklyn. In 1957, Kalmus settled down with his family in Kew Gardens, Queens and later moved to Freeport, NY, where he died in 1987.  His works are found in the Natalie Kalmus and Frana Kalmus Baruch Collection,  which includes approximately 13,339 black and white negatives, 108 prints, 186 stereoscopic views, and 880 slides by Mr. Kalmus. His photography is an important part of BHS’s archives, capturing intimate moments in the lives of Brooklynites, such as the photograph of the couple above in Prospect Park ca. 1950.

Interested in seeing more photos from BHS’s collection? Visit our online image gallery, which includes a selection of our images. To search our entire collection of images visit BHS’s Othmer Library Wed-Fri, 1:00-5:00 p.m.