Society of Old Brooklynites is one of the borough's oldest civic organizations. [1] It was formed in 1880. It was founded to celebrate and remember when Brooklyn was its own city. [2] It had an additional purpose of connecting the business community of Brooklyn. [3]
History
The society was founded by John W. Hunter, the former Mayor of Brooklyn. It holds meetings at the Brooklyn Surrogate's Courtroom. Membership requires individuals to have lived in Brooklyn for at least 25 years. [4] The group rose to prominence combatting the merging of New York City with Brooklyn. [1] It termed this "The Great Mistake of 1898."
Notable events
the Society of Old Brooklynites has hosted an annual memorial for Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument every year since President Taft dedicated the monument in 1908. [5] The society also has an annual event honoring the battle of brooklyn. [6] A Bust of Edward Snowden was placed in the park and sparked outage by the society. [7]
Notable members
Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly
[2]
John W. Hunter
Daniel D. Whitney
Marjorie Parker Smith
John Oakey (politician)
Myrtle Whitmore
Michael E. Finnigan
Charles J. Dodd
Samuel Booth
[8]
References
- ^ a b Ramirez, Jeanine (April 6, 2017). "Brooklyn as the Capital of Cool? The Society of Old Brooklynites Prefers the Good Old Days". NY1. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ a b National Magazine: A Monthly Journal of American History. Vol. 19. 1893. p. 420.
- ^ Abruzzo, Shavana (July 3, 2010). "Soc. of Old Brooklynites inducts new slate". New York Post. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Perlman, Matthew (April 11, 2014). "Old Brooklyn defined: 25-year residency required for entry to this club • Brooklyn Paper". www.brooklynpaper.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Martin, Douglas (September 23, 1995). "Resurrecting Patriots, and Their Park; Shrine to Revolution's Martyrs Is Part of Fort Greene Renewal". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Abruzzese, Rob (August 24, 2015). "Society of Old Brooklynites continues tradition of honoring the Battle of Brooklyn". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Goldstein, Sasha (April 6, 2015). "Illegal Edward Snowden bust placed atop Brooklyn war monument in Fort Greene Park". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ Katz, Andy (June 26, 2019). "Society of Old Brooklynites celebrates 139th anniversary". The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.