After taking my walk in Brooklyn I chose Brooklyn Borough Hall for my location. I see this building everyday when coming out of the train station on my way to school so it sparked my interest. It is located in front of Columbus Park which is right behind City Tech. By walking up Johnson St and making a left onto Adams St the building and park will both come into view. This building was originally the City Hall of the City of Brooklyn in 1848, before it merged with the City of New York in 1898. It held the mayors office, a courthouse and a jail. Borough hall is Brooklyn’s oldest public building. I decided to choose this building because it is one of the few historic buildings around the area. The building went from being “City Hall” to now “Borough hall”. This was an important building for Brooklyn city government, which has now been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Borough hall was completed in 1848 which, i could tell by the greek revival architectural style. It does not fit in with the many modern ones surrounding it. The building is not easy to miss because of it’s beautiful architecture. You first notice the Tuckahoe marble, then the long front steps, and last the cupola with the marvelous figure of Lady Justice. North from the building is a big park, called Columbus park.

The building’s changes since it was first built to now represents a juxtaposition. An example would be how the Borough hall building which is an old building in contrast to the modern ones next to it. Borough hall was built in 1848 while the buildings next to it were built only a few years ago. There are many things juxtaposed in this area. My image of the Borough Hall building captured the juxtaposition. It shows the front of the building, capturing its large steps. The photo was taken from Columbus Park and shows most of the park. Borough hall today is a political building and houses the borough president, it is a very calm place. On the other hand, Columbus park is filled with energy. The park has a liveliness that the building does not have. While there are politicians in Borough hall, thousands of different people visit and walk past Columbus Park everyday. Although these two places are right next to each other, there is a different New York going on.

In “City Limits” by Colson Whiteman from The Colossus of New York Whiteman says “you start building your private New York the first time you lay eyes on it.” He means that everybody has their own private New York of memories. By walking past this building everyday it has become part of my own New York. My memories of sitting in Columbus and enjoying the buildings view has made it special to me. I can also relate to the quote “The New York City you live in is not my New York City” Whiteman is saying that these buildings, restaurants and shops that surround you are part of your New York because you witnessed them and have a special connection to them that no one else can have. This Borough hall building is part of my New York now, not the old Brooklyn City Hall building it was considered to be.

In conclusion, Borough hall is an important historic building.  i learned about the history of Borough hall and why it is a meaningful part of our community. This building which was once a mystery to me is now part of my New York. The memory of that area will always remind me of a time in my past in City Tech.