Closing Bell: Take a Peek at the Historical Society's Archives

The Brooklyn Historical Society is serving up beer and some interesting tidbits from 19th century Brooklyn next week for their first summer beer garden event. In “19th Century Brooklyn: Snapshots of Change,” archivist John Zarrillo will explore quirky photos and documents he found while sifting through the records of the Brooklyn Corporation Counsel. The cache of legal documents chronicles lawsuits, infrastructure changes, and property ownership, and covers topics like the 1895 fire that destroyed part of the Coney Island boardwalk and female prison guards called police matrons.

Zarrillo’s discoveries include a boxing match in Coney Island, a 10-acre farm in East New York, and a herd of cattle in Williamsburg. His “Tales From the Vault” talk will take place June 19 at 6 pm, followed by the beer garden social at 7 pm. The talk is free, and drink tickets are $5. RSVP here through Eventbrite.

Photo via Brooklyn Historical Society