Janice Monger is the Manager of Administration & Visitor Services at BHS. She also is project manager of the Public Perspectives Exhibition Series.
Written by Janice on August 13th, 2010
Napkins hand-printed in letterpress by Bob Vadheim for BHS
I also felt compelled to write upon the news of
Dr. Bob Vadheim’s passing.
Dr. Bob was a fascinating, witty and generous man. I enjoyed visits with him at his magnificent home on Willow St.
Dr. Bob was very proud – and BHS is very grateful – that he provided funding to install the clock mechanism on our clock tower so that it would be a properly working timepiece. He also printed letterpress napkins with a Brooklyn design on them – each by hand – which he donated to BHS so that we could sell them and benefit from the proceeds. These were delightful and personal contributions that Dr. Vadheim made to this organization.
I know that he was also proud of restoring a stained glass window at our neighboring St. Ann’s Church and the organ at the Brooklyn Paramount.
Dr. Bob always had a glint in his eye. He will be missed. His generosity in the Brooklyn community remains.
Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present | No Responses »
Written by Janice on November 11th, 2009
courtesy Eric Corriel
One of the artworks from the current group exhibit at BHS, Brooklyn Utopias, moves beyond the museum walls. Eric Corriel’s “A History of Cycling in Brooklyn,” an interactive public art installation explores the history of bicycle culture in Brooklyn from 1880 to today, through images and video projected in the windows of the Brooklyn Historical Society. It can be seen from Clinton (between Pierrepont and Montague Streets) in Brooklyn Heights, sundown to sunrise, according to this calendar. The artwork is interactive in the sense that anyone with Brooklyn-based cycling media is invited to submit content for possible inclusion in the piece itself. Read more about the piece here, and submit your photos and videos of cycling in Brooklyn!
Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present, Exhibitions | No Responses »
Tags: bicycling, Brooklyn Utopias, Public Perspectives
Written by Janice on October 26th, 2009
JacobMann-playground-near-brooklyn-bridge
Yesterday (Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009) BHS hosted a lively panel discussion about ‘Utopian’ Urban Planning, in conjunction with BHS’ current Public Perspectives exhibit, Brooklyn Utopias?. Organized by curator Katherine Gressel and moderated by urban historian and licensed architect Marta Gutman, PhD, the panel addressed what the role of artists is in urban planning and how artists and community leaders might work together. We heard from Amy Sananman, Executive Director/Founder, Groundswell Community Mural Project, Shin-pei Tsay, Deputy Director of Transportation Alternatives, Derek Denckla, Founder, Propeller Group and Alexander Gorlin, FAIA, Principal/Founder of Alexander Gorlin Architects about art, advocacy, and design projects that involve and engage communities in Brooklyn to evoke change. Many of the comments from the audience and artists focused on how imperative it is that communities be the central voice in any such endeavors. Some of the most fascinating questions that arose relate to what bettering Brooklyn means. What is involved with ‘improving’ Brooklyn? Is a utopian Brooklyn something other than what already is? Is it something nostalgic?
What do you regard as utopian Brooklyn? What does moving forward mean? What are the forces involved with that change?
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Written by Janice on August 25th, 2009
Today’s post is written by Evan Threadgill, who worked at BHS this summer through the Borough President’s Office program, Brooklyn Summer H.E.A.T. Evan is entering his junior year at East NY High School of Transit Technology. BHS is proud to participate in this program and gives tremendous thanks to Evan for all his hard work!
Today is my last day working at BHS, and the time that I have been here has been great. Everyday since the first day I started has given me more and more experience in the museum and the office environment. I was able to see how a museum operates behind the scenes in the office area. It’s not all easy I guarantee you that, but it was still a great experience and a pleasure to have been working here. Working along with Janice, Andrea and everyone else here at BHS has been wonderful. I’ve been in an office environment before when I was much younger at my mothers’ job, but I have never been opened up to it as I was here, and I am glad to have gotten this job. Hopefully next summer I will be able to get a job close to this one that I have had the privilege of working at.
Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present | No Responses »
Written by Janice on June 2nd, 2009
Welcome to Brooklyn - Sign on Pulaski Bridge
Okay, I’ll admit it right now. I am not a native Brooklynite. I originally come from Seattle, on the Left Coast, as many say here. And do I live here in Bklyn now? No. Not yet, I always say sheepishly when someone asks me at the front desk. I live in a brownstone, but in another historic neighborhood – Harlem. Which is also a very cool place.
So, why, then, do I work at the Brooklyn Historical Society? What am I doing here? Well, because there is just something about this place, meaning both BHS and Brooklyn. BHS has an aura about it – the building and collections entice. And though I am not “from Brooklyn,” I have come to love Brooklyn – not only as it is now, but also from what I’ve learned about the history of this fine borough and city.
But as an “outsider” what both impresses and perplexes me is just how much Brooklynites love Brooklyn. The sense of pride in Brooklyn is unlike any other I’ve experienced. Borough President Marty Markowitz’s street sign confirms it – like no other place in the world.
I get that there’s lots about this place to love, but I feel like I miss out on something by not being a native Brooklynite.
So tell me, what is it about Brooklyn? What is the power and magic of this place that has such a hold on people? I really want to know. Will you let me in on the mystique? Help me out here!
Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present | No Responses »
Written by Janice on April 28th, 2009
This could be your exhibit.
Public Perspectives is on my brain. This is an exhibit series for which we issue an annual call to Brooklynites – anyone in Brooklyn with an idea for an exhibit can apply. Then three proposals are selected by a group of cultural experts from the community. BHS works with the recipients to develop their ideas into an exhibit that’s on view at BHS for four months.
It’s an amazing experience for me to step back from what I do and help someone else through the process. I think it’s cool for members of the public to get a better idea of all that goes into making an exhibit – it’s a lot of work! A lot of fun, but also a lot of work. For example, when you write exhibit text it has to be short and concise – usually only 250 words for a label. That’s not very much. Less than this post!
We are accepting proposals for the next season RIGHT NOW. The deadline is May 15 and here’s the application. Get creative! And spread the word.
I’ve also been gearing up to give a presentation about Public Perspectives at the American Association of Museum’s Annual Meeting in Philadelphia on Thursday. My colleague Kate Fermoile and I organized a panel called ‘Community-Curated Exhibit Programs: Activating Public Voice and Audience Outreach.’ We’ll be talking about our experience developing Public Perspectives over the past few years with colleagues from the Detroit Historical Society, where they also have a community gallery, and the Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle, which has for a long time held the philosophy that community input is integral to creating an exhibit.
The next Public Perspectives show at BHS is Living and Learning: Chinese Immigration, Restriction & Community in Brooklyn, 1850 – Present, curated by Andy Urban, a PhD candidate in History. The opening reception is next week, Thursday, May 7, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Come check it out!
Posted in Brooklyn Past & Present, Exhibitions, Public Programs | No Responses »
Tags: application, Chinese Immigration, Public Perspectives
