Essay 5: The Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum is a well known visitor’s attraction; they have an extensive collection of many historical pieces – each conveying its own message. The museum is New York City’s second largest with many art collections. It holds about more than 1.5 million art works. The museum itself is distinguished because of its famous historical pieces that they have. Learning the Brooklyn Museum’s history will help you understand the procedure of how it was built. According to brooklynmuseum.org/about/ the museum’s roots were extended back to 1823 founded by the Brooklyn Apprentices’ Library who educated young tradesmen. It was first established in Brooklyn Heights, in 1841, the Brooklyn Apprentices’ Library moved and became part of the Brooklyn Lyceum Building in Washington Street. The Brooklyn Lyceum Building and the Brooklyn Apprentices’ Library two years later combined to form the Brooklyn Institute which offers exhibitions, sculptures and lectures on different subjects such as geology and abolitionism. In 1890, the institute leaders have decided to restructure the institute and renamed the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences and began building the Brooklyn Museum. The architects of the Brooklyn Museum were McKim, Mead & White. The museum was recognized as its name and soon focuses on planning cultural, recreational, and educational district for the developing city of Brooklyn. They picture to plan parks, gardens, and buildings after the once independent Brooklyn who was absorbed into New York City in 1898 and it was finally realized. The area where the Brooklyn Institute Triangle was designated can be found and it is not only the Brooklyn Museum but other institutions and facilities such as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Prospect Park Zoo, Mount Prospect Park, and the Central Library of the Brooklyn Public Library System. The Brooklyn Museum is a wonderful place to visit because it have many art collections that are exquisite.