Forum Archive: History

Hi all — trying to figure out where walls were originally set up in the brownstone we recently purchased, and how rooms were first configured. Any good sources for this kind of information?

Have any of you had your house opened up on a neighborhood house tour? Any negatives to this that you’ve experienced?

We just closed on a brownstone in Cobble Hill, and I was wondering if there are any definitive resources out there for determining when a building was first built. Any suggestions?

Hey history and architecture buffs –

The Perris 1855 map of my home shows that it was one of three adjoining brick townhouses (see image).

The “dashed” line that crosses the property boundaries is stated in the map key to mean “buildings communicating.”

Any idea what this means?

I was reading a book written in the 1930s, and it described a room that “communicated” with another room, which seemed to imply that it was a doorless doorway.

I wonder if “buildings communicating” could mean that my neighbors houses and mine had openings between them. Or, if you look at the map image another way, does it mean that there was a wooden structure off the back of my building that was open to the back of the brick.

Thanks for any insights!

Does anyone know if brownstones in the North Slope – or elsewhere were typically painted different colors 30-40 years ago? Inside and out? Our neighbor tells us that when she bought her brownstone 30 years ago that it was painted green. Our duplex rental has very old green paint everywhere – in the basement, and peeking through/under the white paint on all the original molding, shutters, doors. There is even old green paint on the cement below the front iron fence. It reminds me of the pale green of hospital scrubs. I am just curious if anyone knows more about the former pointed lives of brownstones or even where I might find photos of the neighborhood from 40 years ago. I’m guessing that is when it was.
Thanks

Can anyone Tell me Anything about this piece? It is about 8′w x 4′H, 1″ thick I think Plexi Glass with Mirrors. Sort of like Stained glass effect, probably backlit at one time.. Any ideas of value? Origin? It has been in the basement of one of my buildings for years!

I’ve been doing a lot of research (on and off) on the history of our house. Most recently I went to the library to look up the original occupants of the house in the directories and on the census. The first owner of the house’s occupation is listed in the directory first as a carver, then later as a designer (1899-1910). On the 1905 state census his occupation is listed as “shell carver”. I think this must have been to do with woodworking, especially since his sons were carpenters, but does anyone know exactly what this means? I wondered if it might be to do with inlays in furniture? If anyone has any insight I’d be very interested in hearing it!

This building was sold in 2005 for 1.4 million and now is on the mkt for 2.3 million! This is crazy! The entire country suffers real estate lows and this building goes up 80%! WTC! The ‘renovation’ was a group of totally unlicensed guys. No permits or inspections. The owner is the broker. More on her family history at: http://www.esotericfreedom.com/

About 15 years ago my ex and I bought a copy photo of our Carroll Gardens brownstone, taken as part of a govt program that photographed every building in the city. I recall that this was a city program but I’m not positive. We had to submit our block and lot number. I have since lost the photo – does anyone know the web site or address where I can buy a copy?

Thank you!
Tim