Walking Tour
The walking tour of Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights is very interesting and I learned many new things during the tour. One of the most interesting things I learned is the boot scraper. It is the first time I heard of it. If I have walk pass those houses normally, I would never know what that is. Others things I learned are that Brooklyn uses to be its own city, and it joined New York City to become a greater city. So it could be one of the great cities to dominate the economy. During the tour, I also learned that one of the places around the school use to be a theater and because of a fire accident, over 300 people had die. It is one of the most drastic tragedies happen in Brooklyn during that time. I found that Henry Ward Beecher is very interesting. He is a great abolitionist and a famous person yet he is in one of the most notorious American trials for having an affair with a married women. I have learned that Brooklyn Height is protected by Landmarks Preservation Law. Many of the building were protected and can’t be rebuilt. Many of the building and architecture are very unique. Upon arriving at Brooklyn Bridge Park, I find the view very astonishing. I never get to see the city this way before. During the tour, I thought we have walked a long way, but later on I find out that we only walked about a few block. The diversity in this area makes the appearance that we have walked a long way. With only a few blocks from City Tech, you get to see a completely different neighborhood.
Maps
The day when we went to the Brooklyn Historical Society, we get to see many different kind of map from different period of times. We were placed in groups to analyze the variety of maps. We were to do a worksheet on how the map is different, what is distinguishable, what is unique of each map. I learned many maps were first drawn by hand then later painted out. Map use to cost a lot, and most people will buy it for collection, and people that could afford it are most likely rich. It is not something that the poor will have, and if they do have it, they will most likely keep it in a secure place. Many maps are served for different purpose. Some map shows where government building and residential building are, each laying out in different colored section. Other maps are to show the subways system and some maps show the lots of the land. Maps also could also show the elevations of landscape; it is useful for people that travel a lot. I have also learned that before, maps are mostly copied from older map and put new picture or design on it, so people might think it’s a new map, and they will buy them. I learned that in order to keep a map or any historical paper items in good condition, you have to keep it in a dark storage room. Light could damage the map overtime. To prevent maps from degrading, it is best not to fold your map or roll it up. Overall I have learned many new things on the trip to Brooklyn Historical Society. It is a very enjoying experience for me.
Reflection
Working with the Brooklyn Historical Society has been a very enjoying experience, it makes the class much more fun. It is sort of like going on a adventure exploring different areas of Brooklyn. You not only learn, you also gets to have fun. I have learned a lot from the trips to Brooklyn Historical Society, even thought I am from Brooklyn, I don’t know most of the area and many of Brooklyn’s history. I still remember upon walking inside the Brooklyn Historical Society’s library, I find the library looks magnificent, it is like a library straight from the 1800s. The architectures inside is very beautiful, it is a great place to visit. I found seeing the maps and visiting the place up close is much more better then reading about Brooklyn in books or articles. I have learned the different types of maps, their usage and how maps were once items that only the wealthy owns. Map during that time were mostly used as collection, people wouldn’t actually bring it with them. I have learned another interesting things, the boot scrapper that are outside the houses in Brooklyn Height. If I have pass by the house regularly I would have no idea what it is and what it is use for. We have also learned many other stuff, we get to see a diary written by a person in 1800s, we get also get to see old tickets. In conclusion, visiting the Brooklyn Historical Society was a lot of fun, I have learned a lot about Brooklyn’s history and it makes the class more exciting and adventurous. I hope in the future, my classes will also be this fun.
