a bite of brooklyn’s history water will be available antonio’s cheese pie 318 flatbush avenue |...
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ABITEOFBROOKLYN’SHISTORY
PROFESSIONALLEARNING
March11th,2015
BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
AGENDA
• 8:45am:Check-in/Breakfast(BC)*
• 9:10am:Introductions(BC)
• 9:30am:PrimarySourceMaterialwithintheBrooklynCollection(BC)
o 10:20am:Break
• 10:30am:ScottWiener,PizzaHistorian(BC)
• 12:15pm:Lunch(214)*
• 1:00pm:SarahLohman,HistoricGastronomist(TR)*
o 2:30pm:Break
• 2:40pm:OverviewofLessons(TR)
• 2:55pmEvaluationsandClosing(TR)
***
*BC=BrooklynCollection.2ndFloorMezzanine
*214=2ndFloor,DowntheHallfromHistoryandBiography
*TR=TrusteesRoom,3rdFloor
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
Restroomsarelocatedonboththe1stUloorunderneaththeescalatorbanks(men’sontheright,women’sontheleft)andonthe3rdUloor.
MENU
-----BREAKFAST-----
LassenandHennings AssortedPastries114MontagueStreet|Brooklyn CubedandSlicedFruit
JuiceandCoffee
-----LUNCH-----Bottledwaterwillbeavailable
Antonio’s CheesePie318FlatbushAvenue|Brooklyn PepperoniPie
GardenSalad
RubyKitchen VegetableChowMein162ParkPlace|Brooklyn
BrooklynBrewery BrooklynWinterAle79North11thStreet|Brooklyn
-----DESSERT-----Tobeservedduringevaluations
BrooklynConnections10GrandArmyPlaza|Brooklyn ConnectionsSurprise
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
PRESENTERBIOS
ScottWiener–PizzaHistorianScottisthefounderofScott’sPizzaTours,anaward-winningNYCbasedpizzatour
companythatleadsbothwalkingandbustoursofNYC’svastpizzahistory.Beyondrunningpizzatours,Scottalsowritesanaward-winningcolumnforPizzaTodayMagazine,contributestoPMQ’sPizzaMagazineandPizzaMarketplace.comandjudgespizzaculinarycompetitionsacrossthecountry.Scott’spizzapontiFicationshavebeenfeaturedontheTravelChannel,CookingChannel,FoodNetwork,DiscoveryChannel,WallStreetJournal,NewYorkMagazineandjustabouteveryNYC-areaperiodical.Scott’stourshavebeenfeaturedasatoptouronTripAdvisor,Yelp,LonelyPlanet,RoughGuidesandseveralothers.HeisalsotheauthorofVivaLaPizza!TheArtofthePizzaBox,abookabouthisGuinnessWorldRecordcollectionofpizzaboxesfromaroundtheworld.
Web:www.scottspizzatours.comTwitter:@scottspizzatour
Facebook:hwww.facebook.com/NewYorkPizzaTours
SarahLohman–HistoricGastronomistDubbeda“historicgastronomist,”SarahLohmanrecreateshistoricrecipesasaway
tomakeapersonalconnectionwiththepast.Shechroniclesherexplorationsinculinaryhistoryonherblog,FourPoundsFlour,andherworkhasbeenfeaturedinTheNewYorkTimesandTheWallStreetJournal.SheappearedinNYC-TV’smini-seriesAppetiteCitycookingculinarytreatsfromNewYork’spast,andis1/2oftheMastersofSocialGastronomywithco-founderJonathanSoma.
Currently,sheworkswithmuseumsandgalleriesaroundthecitytocreatepublicprogramsfocusedonfood,includinginstitutionssuchasTheAmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory,TheNewYorkPublicLibrary,andTheLowerEastSideTenementMuseum.ShewritesregularlyfortheEtsyblog.
Sarah’sPirstbook,EIGHTFLAVORSwilltellthestoryofwhatAmericanseatandwhythroughtwohundredyearsofourhistoryandeightFlavorsthatwereonceabsentbutarenowessential.
ItisdueoutfromSimon&Schusterin2016.LOOKFORIT!THENBUYIT!
Web:www.fourpoundsFlour.comTwitter:@FourpoundsFlour
Facebook:www.facebook.com/fourpoundsFlour
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
FOODRELATED
PRIMARYSOURCEMATERIAL
Menus
Dairies
Oysters
Sugar
Beer
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
MENUS
TheBrooklynCollectionhasalargecollectionofmenusrangingindate,
presentation,andcuisine.Themenucollectionalsofeaturessouvenirmenusfrommilitary
banquetsaswellasoneoftheBrooklynDailyEagleCookbooks,publishedin1922.
Bylookingathistoricmenusfromtheturnofthecentury,studentswillbeableto
examinechangeinfoodcultureandfoodcost.Thetypeofrestaurantanditslocationcan
alsoshedlightontoneighborhoodchangeregardingimmigration/migrationand
gentriEication.
SomeoftheBrooklynCollection’smenuscomefromrestaurantswithlongand
fascinatinghistories.TheexteriorofGageandTollner,onFultonStreetinDowntown
Brooklynsince1892,waslandmarkedin1974.Thefollowingyearitbecamethethird
interiortobelandmarkedinNewYorkCityandtheEirstdiningroomtosnagthehonor.The
restaurantwasfamousforitsSouthernstyle,bothinmenuandpresentation;formuchof
therestaurant’shistorythewaitstaffwasallAfrican-American.
Victimsofchangingtastes,GageandTollner’sownersEiledforbankruptcyin1995
withtherestaurantclosingin2004.
COLLECTIONHOLDINGS
CookbooksTakeoutMenusSouvenirMenus
CIRRICULAPAIRINGS
Immigration/MigrationNeighborhoodHistory
ThenandNow
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
OYSTERS
LongbeforeNewAmsterdam,theLenapeandothernativecommunitiesatecopious
amountsofoysters.Massiveancientshellmounds(calledmiddens)havebeenexcavated
anddated,oneasoldas6950BCE.SomehistoriansestimatethatatthetimeofDutchNew
Amsterdam(1614),NewYorkHarborcontainedhalftheworld’soysters.InDutchtimes,
settlerssimplywalkedtothewater’sedgeandpickeduptheirdinner.Eventually,boats
traveledaroundthewatersofthecitygatheringoysterstosellfromstallsoneverystreet
corner.Untilthelatenineteenthcenturyoystersweresoldgrilled,fried,stewed,orrawat
largeoutdoorfoodmarkets.
Oysterswerecheap,anditwassaidthatthepoorofNewYorkCityhadnothingto
eatbutbreadandoysters.Nevertheless,oysterswerealsopopularwiththewealthyand
wereoftenfeaturedatextravagantNewYorkCitybanquetsandingrandrestaurants.
AsearlyastheeighteenthcenturyNewYorkoysterbedsstartedshowingsignsof
exhaustion.Eventually,centuriesofdumpinguntreatedsewageinwateraroundthecity
forcedoysterbedstoclosedownbecauseofhealthrisks.In1927,thelastNewYorkCity
oysterbed,inRaritanBayoffStatenIsland,wasclosed.Althoughenvironmentalistsare
workingtocleanupNewYorkCity’swaterwaysandcultivatemoreoysterbeds,oysters
fromthewatersaroundNewYorkCityremainunsafetoeat.
COLLECTIONHOLDINGS
CityDirectoriesPhotographs
(Oysters,Oystermen,Beds,Boats)PrintsMaps
MenusFeaturingOystersNewspaperArticles
CIRRICULAPAIRINGS
ColonialNewYorkIndustrializationMarineBiology
NewYork’sWaterwaysPollution
PovertyandWealth
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
SUGARNewYorkCitywasthecenterofsugarreEiningbythemid-1700slargelybecauseof
theportandthehigh localdemand.Mostrawsugarwas imported intothecolonies from
overseas.In1857,Havemeyer,Townsand,andCo.createdareEineryonSouthThirdStreet
inWilliamsburg,whereundevelopedland,adeep-waterharbor,andabundantcheaplabor
soonattractedotherreEineries.Whenitopened,Havemeyer’sreEineryhadadailycapacity
of300,000poundsofrawsugar–morethanallotherNewYorkCityreEineriescombined.
Bythe1870stheEigurewasmorethan1millionpoundsaday,andHavemeyer’sEirmwas
employing1000workersforeachshift.
AfterthesugarindustryintheGulfStateswasdestroyedduringtheCivilWar,sugar
reEining became concentrated in New York City. Sugar reEining was the city’s most
proEitable industry from 1870 until WWI: 59 percent of the country’s raw sugar was
processedtherein1872and68percentin1887. After the Great Depression the sugar
reEiningindustrydeclinedinthecityasmoderntechnologyandalternativestosugarwere
introduced. The American Sugar ReEining Company dominated the industry (a company
created by Havemeyer in 1891 and comprised of many smaller sugar companies); its
principaltrademarkwasandisDomino.
Brooklyn’s Domino factory closed in 2004, ending a century of New York City’s
domination of the sugar industry; itwas the victimof changing food tastes, pressure for
lower labor costs, high real estateprices, and foreign competition.Theneon sign for the
factorydeEines thewaterfrontsite,and in2007partsof thesiteweredesignatedhistoric
landmarks.
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
DAIRIESAsNewYorkCitygrewduringthenineteenthcentury,farmlandandcattlebecame
scarceinManhattanasdairyfarmersmovedtoWilliamsburg,otherpartsofBrooklyn,and
QueensCounty.Bythe1830s,largescalemilkandcheesedeliverywasunderwayusing
horsedrawncarts.Onemightalsoseeicecreamwagonsonstreetcorners(afood
popularizedduringtheAmericanRevolution).
Manydairieswereconnectedtobreweries.Theyusedtheirswill(abyproductof
beer)tofeedtheircattlewho,lackingnutrients,producedathin,bluishmilk.Themilkwas
cutwithwater(oftenunsafeinearlyNewYork)andadditivessuchaschemicalsandchalk
wereusedtohelpkillitsfoulsmellandtoturnthemilkwhite.In1842,inspecialice-cooled
cars,milkbegantobeshippedbytraintoNewYorkCityfromfarmsinQueens,Westchester,
andOrangeCountiestohelpmeetthegrowingdemandofaswiftlyswellingcity.Smaller
farmsfoundithardtocompetewiththeproductionoflargerorganizationsandoftenkept
theircowsinunsafeanduncleanconditionsinanefforttoutilizetheirspaceformaximum
production.Swillmilkwasbannedinthe1860s,butpersistedlongafter.
Brooklyn’sCanarsieandCypressHillshaddairiesupuntilthemid-twentieth
century.Aslateas1940thefederalcensusofagriculturecountedsixfarmswith328cows
inBrooklyn.Bythe1970s,allofBrooklyn’sfarmshadgoneoutofbusinessasnew
technologyandincreasinglandcostschangedthewaymilkwasproducedandtransported.
COLLECTIONHOLDINGS
CityDirectoriesGovernmentDocuments
LandmarkDesignationReportsMapsandAtlasesNewspaperArticles
PhotographsPrints
CIRRICULAPAIRINGS
ArchitectureColonialismGentriEicationIndustrializationLocallandmarks
SlaveryTrusts
UnionsandLabor
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
BEERAsofthe1820s,Brooklynhadafull-timebrewer,WilliamJohnson,locatedat49
FrontStreet.BrooklynitesnolongerhadtogettheirbeerferriedacrosstheriverfromNew
YorkCitywherebrewerieshadbeenthrivingsincethelate17thcentury.Smallbreweries,
usuallyonestoryaffairs,followedMr.Johnson,brewingalesanddarkerbeers.
WithBrooklyn’sannexationofWilliamsburgandBushwickin1855,bothwith
thrivingcommunitiesofGermanimmigrants,Brooklynbecamealagerbeerhotspot.The
area,thenknownastheEasternDistrict,hadaseriesofblocksknownasBrewer’sRow;11
blocks,12largescalebreweries.Brewer’srowwaslocatedbetweenScholesandMeserole
StreetsandfromBushwickPlacetoLorimerStreetintheneighborhoodofBushwick.
BreweriesacrossBrooklynsporteddistinctlyGermannamessuchasFreseandUrff,Burger
andHower,Edelbrew,Rheingold,Shaffer,andPiels.Outputincreasedwithnewtechnology
andin1907Brooklynputoutover2,500,000barrelsofbeer!
Americawasn’talwayssokeenonlagerbeer,passingmultiplelawsrestricting
consumptiononcertaindaysoftheweek.Eventually,theVolsteadActof1920would
requireallofthenation’sbreweriestoceasemaking“intoxicatingliquors.”Brewerieswere
givenachoice:makenearbeer(ablandandonlyslightlyalcoholicbeverage),beginmaking
andsellingsoda,orclosedown.Thankfully,prohibitionendedin1933(thanksFDR).
WithmassiveMidwesternbrewerieslikeBudweiserandPabsttakingholdofthe
nationalmarket,Brooklyn’sholdbegantoweakenduringthemiddleofthetwentieth
CollectionHoldings
MapsandAtlasesNewspaperArticles
Photographs(Dairies,Cows,MilkWagons/Trucks)
Prints
CurriculaPairings
AnimalWelfareBeerHistory
HealthandNutritionIndustrialization
NeighborhoodChange Unions and Labor
ABiteofBrooklyn’sHistoryMarch11th,2015
centuryandbytheearly1980salloftheoriginalbreweriesintheboroughhadclosed.
BrooklynBrewery’sfoundingin1988calledattentiontoBrooklyn’slackoflocalbreweries
andstartedatrendthatwecanseeinBrooklyntoday.
COLLECTIONHOLDINGSArtifacts
CityDirectoriesEphemera
(Coasters,AccountBooks)MapsandAtlasesNewspaperArticles
PhotographsPrints
CIRRICULAPAIRINGSAnimalWelfareDairyHistoryImmigration
IndustrializationNeighborhoodHistory
ProhibitionTheNewDeal
ExecutiveDinnerToursMenu.NewYork:N.d.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
GageandTollner’s65thAnniversaryMenu.NewYork:1944.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
HotelTouraineMenu.NewYork:193-?.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
“ExposureoftheSwillMilkTrade,1858.”FrankLeslie’sIllustratedNewspaper28Nov1874.Print.
“MilkPeaceTalksDeadlocked.”BrooklynDailyEagle27Oct.1953.Print.Library.
Shef%ieldFarmsWagon.N.d.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
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“BluePointCo.,WestSayvilleOysterShippers.”BrooklynDailyEagle8Mar.1934.Print.
“OysterBay,L.I.”BrooklynDailyEagle1May1934.Print.
“OystersatWestSayville.”BrooklynDailyEagle30Sept.1935.Print
“SwillTanksConnectedWithHusted’sDistillery,SkillmanStreet,Brooklyn.”FrankLeslie’sIllustratedNewspaper15May1858.
AccountBook,Welz&Zerweck’sHigh-GroundBrewery.Brooklyn:N.d.Print.
TheF.&M.SchaeferBrewingCompany.N.d.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
LetterfromthePresidentoftheBoroughofBrooklyn,April10,1944.NewYork:10April1944.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
LetterfromthePresidentoftheBoroughofBrooklyn,April10,1944.NewYork:10April1944.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
Underhill,Irving.DominoSugarFactory.10June1928.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
LetterfromthePresidentoftheBoroughofBrooklyn,April10,1944.NewYork:10April1944.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
DinnerGiveninHonorofMessieursGeorgesHenryAndAleprayeByTheOperatingDepartmentofTheAmericanSugarReHiningCompany,HotelAstoria,NY.9Oct.1919.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
BROOKLYN’SOYSTERINDUSTRYPROJECTPACKET
Name:________________________________________________________________
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �1
INTRODUCTORYREADING“Oysters.”TheEncyclopediaofNewYorkCity.2nded.2012.Print.
Upuntilthelate1920soysterswereimportantinNewYorkCitylife.OystersgrewintheHudsonRiverasfarupasOssining,intheEastRiver,inJamaicaBayandaroundtheRockaways,onthecoastofBrooklyn,allaroundStatenIslandandCityIsland,alongtheNewJerseycoasttoKeyport,Hackensack,andRaritanrivers.TheysurroundedEllisIslandandLibertyIsland,whichwaswhytheDutchnamedthemLittleOysterIslandandGreatOysterIsland.SomehistoriansestimatethatatthetimeofDutchNewAmsterdam,NewYorkHarborcontainedhalftheworld’soysters.
BeforethearrivalofEuropeans,theLenapeandthenativepeoplesbeforethematcopiousamountsofoysters,leavingtremendouspilesofshellscalledmiddens,whichhavebeenfoundthroughouttheNewYorkCityarea.Someofthemiddensareasdeepas4feetandarethemostcommonmarkerofpre-ColombiansettlementsaroundthemouthoftheHudson.TheoldestdatedmiddenwasinDobbsFerry(StatenIsland)andwascarbondatedtoabout6950BCE.
BurnedoystershellswerethestandardmaterialformortarinearlyNewYorkCitybuilding,includingTrinityChurch,untila1703ordinancebannedthepracticebecauseofcomplaintsaboutthenoxioussmoke.InDutchtimes,settlerssimplywalkedtothewater’sedgeandpickeduptheirdinner.Buteventually,boatstraveledaroundthewatersofthecity,gatheringoysterstosellfromstallsoneverystreetcorner.Untilthelatenineteenthcenturyoystersweresoldgrilled,fried,stewed,orrawatlargeoutdoorfoodmarkets.
Oysterswerecheap,anditwassaidthatthepoorofNewYorkCityhadnothingtoeatbutbreadandoysters.Nevertheless,oysterswerealsopopularwiththewealthyandwereoftenfeaturedatextravagantNewYorkCitybanquetsandingrandrestaurants.WiththebuildingoftheEerieCanal,thewesternrailroads,andfastertransatlanticcrossings,oystersbecameanexportproductinmarketsinSanFrancisco,London,andelsewhere.
AsearlyastheeighteenthcenturyNewYorkoysterbedsstartedshowingsignsofexhaustionandwouldhavebeencompletelystrippedbythenineteenthcenturyhadoystermannotlearnedhowtoplantseedoysters,orbingernail-sizedyoungoysters,fromotherareas.Eventually,centuriesofdumpinguntreatedsewageinwateraroundthecityforcedoysterbedstoclosedownbecauseofhealthrisks.In1927thelastNewYorkCityoysterbed,inRaritanBayoffStatenIsland,wasclosed.Inthetwenty-birstcenturywaterisonceagaincleanenoughforoysterstogrowandenvironmentalistshavebeenreplantingsomebeds,butthepresenceofpolychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs)andheavymetalsinthewatercontinuetomakeNewYorkCityoystersunsafetoeat.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �2
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BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �3
DOCUMENTS1a&1b:
1a:Diagram.“Oyster.”rynakimley.blogspot.com.Web.23Feb.20151b:Photo.“Oyster.”Nov1933.Print.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �4
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �5
1.Describehoweachimagewasmade.
4. Have you ever eaten an oyster? If so, what did it taste like? If no, would you? Why or why not?
2.Oystersarebivalves.Bivalvesareanimalswhobilterwaterthroughtheirgillstofeed.Oysterscanmoveupwardsof50gallonsofwaterthroughtheirgillsaday,pullingoutorganicmaterialsandotherthingsinthewater.MarkanXonDOCUMENT1anexttothegillsoftheoyster.
3.WhatpartoftheoysterarethearrowsinDOCUMENT1bpointingto?
DOCUMENT2:Advertisement.“Oysters.”BrooklynDailyEagle.17Oct.1870.Print.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �6
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �7
1. Whatisthisadvertisementselling?Whatisthenameofthecompany?
2. Howmuchdotheoysterscost?Whydoyouthinktheyweresocheap?
3. Somebusinessescangetoystersfromthisselleratareducedrate.Whichbusinessesandwhydoyouthinkthatis?
4. Inadditiontosellingtothesegroups,thebusinessalsooperatedanOysterSaloon.Whatwasanoystersaloon?
DOCUMENT3:Newspaper.“LatestLongIslandNews.”BrooklynDailyEagle.11Nov.1896.Print.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �8
TranscriptofDOCUMENT3:
LATESTLONGISLANDNEWS
JamaicaBayOysterGroundsLeasedtoFlatlanders
CHEAPSEAFOODFORBROOKLYN
CommissionerThompsonSuggeststheOrganizationofaCompanytoDistributeShellFishThroughouttheCityandGuaranteestoFurnish50,000FreshOystersDaily–HeSaystheQuality
WasNeverBetterandJamaicaBayBivalvesAreEspeciallyGoodThisYear.
(SpecialtotheEagle.)
Northport,L.I.,November11–StateFishCommissionerThompsonreachedhishomeherelastnightafteranimportantmeetingofthecommission,whichwasheldyesterdayintheMetropolitanLifeInsuranceBuilding,MadisonavenueandTwenty-thirdstreet,NewYorkcity.
ThecommissionersgrantedleasesoflandsunderwaterwithintheboundariesofBrooklyninJamaicabay,forthepurposesofshellbishcultivation.TothefollowingresidentsofFlatlands:JamesVDavis,JamesJ.Ryder,CharlesH.Liaman,JohnH.Vreeland,DanielRowland,JohnR.Wobield,JosephC.Emmis,CrluahKopf,HenryN.Schmerrks,MartinMorrisonandWilliamsC.Baldwin.
ClausKopfwasgrantedatwentyacretract,alltheothersthreeacreseach,forbifteenyears,attherateof25centsperacreperannum.
TheFlatlandsOysterProtectiveassociationsincebecometheBrooklynOysterProtectiveassociationwasorganizedtenortwelveyearsagoforthemutualprotectionoftheplattersengagedinthebusiness.Atthetimeofitsorganizationtheoystermenwereunprotectedbyanylawsoranyleasesexceptsuchasthetownsgave,andthelesseesofthepropertywerecompelledtodefendthemselves.Theassociationnownumbersbetweenfortyandbiftyactivemembers,includingtheleadingoystermenofKingscounty,whilenearlyalltheotheroystermenareprotectedbyitandcontributetowarditsobjects.TheofbicersoftheassociationareW.J.Tillotson,president;JohnH.Schmeck,secretary,andIsaacMatthews,treasurer.AboutbivehundredacresoflandunderwaterinJamaicaandSheepsheadbaysareundercultivation.Mostlyleadedinsmallplotsoffromonetobiveorsixacreseach.ThisisaboutalltheavailableoysterlandwithintheboundariesoftheCityofBrooklyn.Thebaybottommustbefreefrommudtobeavailableforoystergrowthandcultivationandoftenoneacreofgoodlandwillbesurroundedbyseveralacresofpoorterritory.Theoystersarenotpropagatedherebuttheseedofallsizedfromthreemonths’oldsetstothethreeyearsoldoystersarebroughtherefromLongIslandSound,Southbayandotherplacestogrowandfatten.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �9
1
2
3
5
4
ThesaltwatersofJamaicaandSheepsheadbaysarepartiallyfreshenedbybrooksandsubterraneanspringswhichburstupfromunderneaththewatersofthesebays.Thiscreatesaconditionpeculiarlyfavorableforthegrowthoftheoyster,makingitfat,tenderanddelicious.Thethreeyearoldoystersbroughtherearebittomarketinsixmonths,thesmallsetsinabouttwoyears.TheseoystersaswellasallothersgrowninJamaicabayareknownasRockawaysandaresaidtobesuperiortoanyintheworld.ManyofthemaresoldinBrooklyn.ThegrowersonthecitysideofthelinehaveagreatadvantageovertheQueenscountygrowersinthematterofrentals,asthetownsofHempsteadandJamaicagetfrom$5anacreupwardperannumfortherestoftheiroysterlands.
PoliceCommissionerWellesofBrooklynhastakentheoystermenoftheThirty-secondwardunderhisprotectionandapolicepatrolbeat,anefbicientnaphthalaunch,patrolsthewatersofJamaicabaydayandnight.
ShellFishCommissionerEdwardThompsonsays:“Thecommissionersonlyaskthesegrowersanominalrent.Ourobjectisnotsomuchtogetaheavyrentalfortheuseofthelandastoencouragethegrowthoftheindustrybygivingthegrowerstheprotectionofalease.ThedesiretomakethestateofNewYorkthegreatestoystergrowingstateintheUnionandtoincreasethefoodsupplytothatmisses.ThosegrowersareallKingscountymenandmostofthemhardworking,industriousheadsoffamilies.OvertwohundredleaseshavebeengrantedintheBrooklynlimitsofJamaicabayandinconsequencethegrowthofoystersinthatterritoryhasincreasedtenfoldinbiveyears.
ThegrowthalloverthestateneverwasbetterthanitisinthisyearandthequalityneverbinerandtheJamaicabayoystersareespeciallygood.Allthatthegrowernowneedsisbetterprices.Itseemswrongthatthegrowershouldonlyreceivefrom75centstoadollarabushelforthesameoystersthatcosttheconsumer25centsforeightonahalfshellorattherateof$50abarrel.Wewanttoincreasetheconsumptionofoysters,aswellasalltheotherbishfoodinthisstate,andwefeelthateveryfamilyinthestateshouldhaveanabundanceofthesedeliciousfoodproductsatsomewherenearthewholesalerates.Icouldsafelyundertaketosupplyanycompanyofmenwhowouldundertaketodeliveradailysupplyoffreshoystersinthecityatreasonablerates50,000bushelsattherateof75centsabushel.TheannualproductofoystersinthisstateduringthepastyearhasbeenthreeandahalfmillionsofbushelsandoverthreethousandmenareengagedinthisbusinessofraisingandbuyingandsellingshellbishinNewYorkandBrooklynalone.Theannualreceiptsforallkindsofshellbishgrowninthewatersofthestateisbetweenthreeandfourmillionsofdollars.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �10
8
6
7
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �11
Readtheheadlinesandparagraph1.1. Whatarethemainpointsthatwillbecoveredinthisarticle?
2. HowmanyoystersdidtheCommissionerGuaranteeeachday?Whatdoyouthinkaboutthisnumber?
Readparagraphs2,3and4.3. WhatishappeningtothelandunderwateraroundBrooklyn?
4. Whatistheleasefor?Andhowmuchlandisbeingoffered?
5. Whoisgettingtheseleases?
Readparagraph5.6. WhatistheBrooklynOysterProtectiveAssociation?Whenwasitorganized?Whatisitspurpose?
7. HowmanyBrooklyniteshavejoinedtheagency?
8. AretheoystersborninBrooklyn?Ifnot,wherearetheyfrom?
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONScont.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �12
Readparagraph6.9. ExplainhowtheoystersgrowandwhythewateraroundBrooklynwasgoodforoysters.
Readparagraphs8and9.12. HowmanymenareintheoysterbusinessinBrooklynandNewYork?
13. Howmuchmoneywasmadefromtheoysterbusinessinthelastyear?
Readparagraph7.10. Whatarethepolicedoingtoenforcethesenewlaws?
11. Whywouldthepoliceneedtopatroltheseareas?Whataretheyafraidmighthappen?
DOCUMENT4:Map.Watson,Gaylord.“Watson’sMapofLongIsland.”1884.Print.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �13
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �14
1.Whatisthismapshowingyou?
2. MostofBrooklyn’soysterbusinesstookplaceinthesouthernpartsofBrooklyn:Gravesend,SheepsheadBay,Canarsie,FlatlandsandJamaicaBay.Howwouldyoudescribetheseareas?
3. Basedonthismap,whydoyouthinktheoysterindustrywassolucrativeinBrooklyn?
DOCUMENT5:Newspaper.“ArrestedforTrespass.”BrooklynDailyEagle.12Feb.1895.Print.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �15
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �16
1.Brieblyexplainwhatthisarticleisabout.
2.Wherearetheoysterbedsinthisarticlelocated?
4.Howmightgarbagehavelong-termeffectsontheoysterindustryasawhole?
3.WhatactionsdidMr.Stillwelltaketoprotecthisproperty(a.k.a.theoysterbeds)?
DOCUMENT6:Directory.TrowBusinessDirectory,BoroughofBrooklyn.1900.Print.
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �17
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
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1. Whatpurposedidthisdocumentserve?
2. Whatdoyouthinkanoysterdealerdid?Howwouldtheymakemoney?
3. HowmanyoysterdealerswereinBrooklynin1900?Whatdoesthistellyouaboutthepopularityoftheoysterbusiness?
4. Whywouldhavingthismanydealersintheboroughbebadnewsforoysterdealers?
DOCUMENT7a&7b:Photographs.7a“OystersatWestSayville.”BrooklynDailyEagle.September30,1935.Print.7b“OysterBay,L.I.”1May1934.Print.
Note:ThesepicturesweretakenonLongIsland.However,manybusinessesinBrooklynwouldhavebeenidenticaltothisone.
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DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
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1. Describethejobthatthemenareperformingintheaboveimages.
2. Howwouldyoudescribetheworkthatthesemenaredoing?Isitcomplicated?Repetitive?Woulditbeinterestingorboring?Doyouthinktheywouldhaveneededcertainskills?
3. Whatotherjobsmightmenhavehadinthedepot?Thinkabouthowtheoystersgetintothewarehouseandwhathappenstothemaftertheyhavebeenremovedfromtheshell.
DOCUMENT8:Menu.Gage&Tollner’sInc.65thAnniversaryMenu.NewYork.1944.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
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DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �22
1. Describethisdocument?Whatisit?Whereisitfrom?
2. Whatonthemenusoundsinteresting?Whatonthemenusoundsunappetizing?Why?
3. Giventhenumberofitemsonthemenu,whatisonebenebitofcookingwithoysters?
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DOCUMENT9:Photograph.“BluePointCo.,WestSayvilleOysterShippers.”BrooklynDailyEagle.8Mar.1934.Print.
Note:ThispicturewastakenonLongIsland.However,manybusinessesinBrooklynwouldhavebeenidenticaltothisone.
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DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �25
1. Describetheimage.
2. SimilarpilesofoysterswouldhavebeenseenatdepotsacrossBrooklyn,NewYorkandLongIsland.Whatdoesthistellusaboutthequantityofoystersbeingfarmed?
3. Whatwouldhavebeensomeofthedangersoffarmingthismanyoysters?
4. Howwouldfarmingthismanyoystershaveimpactedtheeconomyandtheoverallpriceofoysters?
DOCUMENT10:Photo.“EnglishKills.”BrooklynDailyEagle194-?,Print.
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DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �27
3. What can this image tell us about polluting practices during the 1940s?
1. Describe the image.
4. Why would polluting the waters around NYC be bad for both oysters and people?
2. What type of pollutants do you think might be flowing into Newtown Creek?
DOCUMENT11:Newspaper.Chapman,Ben.“NewYorkHarborSchoolstudentsintroduce1billionoysterstocity’swaterwaysasSTEMideasgetallwet.”NYDailyNews5Nov2013.Print.
NewYorkHarborSchoolstudentsintroduce1billionoysterstocity'swaterwaysasSTEMideasget
allwet
Inanefforttobilter
toxinsfromthecity's
waterways,studentsoftheNew
YorkHarborSchoolon
GovernorsIslandwillintroduce
1billionoysterstothecity's
watersoverthenext20years.
NewYorkHarborSchool
principalEdwardBiedermann
wants'tocreateasenseof
stewardshipandaconnectionto
thewater'throughtheoysterproject.StudentsattheNewYorkHarborSchoolarebringingthecity’s
waterwaysbacktolife,oneoysteratatime.
TheinnovativehighschoolonGovernorsIslandaimstointroduce1billionoftheonce-plentiful
bivalvesintocitywatersoverthenexttwodecades,aprojectthatcouldbiltertoxinsfromthewaterand
jumpstarttheecosystem.Alongtheway,studentswillgetatraditionalcollegeprepeducationaswellas
technicaltraininginthemarinesciencesoratrade.Breedingmollusksisjustastart.
“It’ssomuchmorethanjusttheoysters,”saidseniorErinNolan,16,ofFlatbush,whowantstobe
anenvironmentalscientistaftercollege.“Ifeellikewe’remakingarealdifference.”Atthefoundationof
theHarborSchool’suniquecurriculumisabeliefthatstudentslearnbestwhentheyfeellikethey’re
makingavaluablecontributiontosociety.ErinNolanandotherstudentsfromtheHarborSchoolcheck
cagesbilledwithoystersthattheyaregrowingintheEastRiver.
Soeachoftheschool’ssixprogramsofstudy—vesseloperations,marinesystemstechnology,
oceanengineering,scientibicdiving,aquaculture,andmarinebiologyresearch—arealignedtothe
overallgoalofimprovingthemarinehabitatofNewYorkCity.“Thegoalistocreateasenseof
stewardshipandaconnectiontothewater,”saidprincipalEdwardBiedermann,who’sworkedincity
schoolssince2003.
Biedermannbecametheschool’sleaderin2012,nineyearsafteritopenedandtwoyearsafterit
movedfromatemporarycampusinBrooklyntoitshomeontheisland.Likehisstudents,BiedermannBrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �28
ErinNolan(left)andotherstudentsfromtheHarborSchoolcheckcagesbilledwithoystersthattheyaregrowingintheEastRiver.
takestheferryeachdayfromlowerManhattantotheHarborSchool’sislandcampus,nowcenteredin
tworenovatedCoastGuardbuildings.
Theschoolhopestointroduce1billionoysterstocitywatersoverthenext20years.
Biedermannandhiscrewmaintainanetworkofrelationshipswithcharitableorganizationsandpublic-
privatepartnershipstofundtheschool’sinnovativecurriculum.Studentsintheschool’sscubaprogram
willmakedozensofdivesinNewYorkHarborandneighboringwatersastheypursuetheirdiver’s
certibicationsanddegrees.Kidsinthevesseloperationsandmarinesystemstechnologyprogramshave
accesstoseveralboatsthatareusuallydockedjustbelowtheschool’saquaculturelabs,whicharehoused
inaformerbarracksatthewater’sedge.
Theunscreenedhighschooltakesstudentsofallbackgroundsfromallboroughs,offeringeachan
educationthatwillensureplentyoftimeinthesunonthewater,andenticingfodderforcollege
admissionsessays.BiedermannjoinsstudentsastheyworkwithcagesontheEastRiver.
TheHarborSchoolmaintainsanAratingbutitisstillaworkinprogress.Its9,000-square-footMarine
ScienceandTechnologyCenterjustopenedinSeptember,whereroomscrowdedwithwetsuitsand
oxygentanksgivewaytolabsloadedwithsaltwatertanksbearingbabyoysters.
TheschoolisoneofthebirstofdozensofsmallhighschoolscreatedbyMayorBloombergoverthe
pastdecade.Educationofbicialshavefocusedinrecentyearsonthecreationofnewacademiesgeared
towardscience,technology,engineeringandmathematics,orSTEM—andnewschoolsthatofferkidsa
career-readytechnicaleducation.TheHarborSchoolisoneofthemostuniquenewschoolstoofferboth,
anditattracted669studentapplicationsforjust108ninth-gradespotsin2013.
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DICUSSIONQUESTIONS:
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1.HowarestudentsattheHarborSchool“bringingthecity’swaterwaysbacktolife?”
4.TheHarborSchoolisdedicatedtoenvironmentalstewardship,however,weallcanparticipateinkeepingNewYork’swaterwaysclean.WhataretwowaysyoucanhelpNewYork’soysters?
2.Overhowmanyyearsistheschoolplanningtoreleaseits1billionoysters?
3. By releasing the oysters the Harbor School hopes to improve the ecosystem of the waterways. An ecosystem is a community of living things. List some other living things will be affected by improving water quality? How will they be affected?
BROOKLYN’SSUGARINDUSTRY
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INTRODUCTORYREADING:“Sugar.”TheEncyclopediaofNewYorkCity.2nded.2010.Print.
Adaptation
The Birst sugar reBinery inNewYorkCitywasopenedonLibertyStreet (Manhattan) in1730by
NicholasBayard.Mostrawsugarwasimportedintothecoloniesfromoverseas,andthecitywassoonthe
centerofsugarreBining,largelybecauseoftheportandhighlocaldemandforsugar.ManymorereBineries
followed. In 1857, Havemeyer, Townsand, and Co. created a reBinery on South Third Street in
Williamsburg,whereundeveloped land,adeep-waterharbor,andabundantcheap laborsoonattracted
other reBineries.When it opened,Havemeyer’s reBineryhadadaily capacityof 300,000poundsof raw
sugar–morethanallotherNewYorkCityreBineriescombined.Bythe1870stheBigurewasmorethan1
millionpoundsaday,andHavemeyer’sBirmwasemploying1000workersforeachshift.
After the sugar industry in the Gulf States was destroyed during the Civil War, sugar reBining
became concentrated in New York City, where the port had become the largest in the country, the
transportation system was extensive, and banks were numerous. Sugar reBining was the city’s most
proBitableindustryfrom1870untilWWI:59percentofthecountry’srawsugarwasprocessedtherein
1872and68percentin1887.InadditiontotheBirmsoftheHavemeyers,severalothersinthecitywere
successful,amongthemWintjen,DickandSchumacher(ledbyWilliamDick),DickandMeyer,DiCastro
and Donner in Brooklyn (with two reBineries), the Greenpoint Sugar ReBining Company, and Brooklyn
SugarReBining. In the1880s, theHavemeyer and someof their associates created theAmerican Sugar
ReBiningCompany,alsocalledthe“SugarTrust.”Thecompanythencontrolledthebulkofthesugarbeing
reBinedinthecountrymakingthecompany’smanagementincrediblyrich.
AftertheGreatDepressionthesugarreBiningindustrydeclinedinthecityasmoderntechnology
andalternativestosugarwere introduced.MostreBineries intheareawereclosedordestroyedbyBire.
TheAmericanSugarReBiningCompanystilldominatedtheindustry; itsprincipaltrademarkwasandis
Domino.
In1992thecompanychangeditsnametoDominoSugarCorporation.Inthemid-1990sDomino
was one of the 500 largest companies in the country,maintained ofBice in the city, andmadeDomino
sugar at the original reBinery of Havemeyer and Elder. The Domino factory closed in 2004, ending a
centuryofNewYorkCity’sdominationof thesugar industry; itwas thevictimofchanging food tastes,
pressure for lower labor costs, high real estate prices, and foreign competition. The neon sign for the
factorydeBinesthewaterfrontsite,andin2007partsofthesiteweredesignatedhistoriclandmarks.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �3
DOCUMENT1a&1b:Newspapers.1a:“DisasterandLossofLife.”BrooklynDailyEagle5Dec.1842.Print.1b:“ARichLegacy.”BrooklynDailyEagle6Mar.1850.Print.
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DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �5
1.DOCUMENT1areferstotheN.O.Bee,whichisanewspaperfromNewOrleans,Louisiana.Wheredidthe event inDOCUMENT1b take place?What do these two documents tell you about the area of theworldwheresugarwasgrown?
2.ExplainwhathappenedontheplantationinNewOrleans.Whataresomedangersthatsugarplantationworkers(enslavedAfricans)faced?
3.HowmuchmoneydidtheowneroftheCubanplanationmakefromhisplantationbeforehisdeath?
4. What are two questions you have about how and where sugar was grown in the early nineteenthcentury?
DOCUMENT2:Newspaper.“ImprovementstotheWaterFront.”BrooklynDailyEagle1Jun.1866.Print.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �6
AnImprovementtotheWaterFront.
Amongthenumerousimprovementsalongthewaterfrontofthiscity,whichhavebeenandarebeingeffected,nonewillsurpasstheworkwhichisnowbeingrapidlycarriedforwardtocompletionattheestablishmentofMessrs.Havemeyers&Elder,sugarreBiners,onFirststreet,betweenSouthThirdandSouthFourthstreets,E.D.Thealreadyimmensestructureisbeingenlargedintherear,inconsequenceoftheincreaseofbusiness,sothatwhencompleteditwillbeoneofthelargest,ifnotthelargestofanysimilarestablishmentinthecity,andfurnishanimprovementtothewaterfront,thelikeofwhichisnotvisibleatanypointalongtheriver. Thedimensionsoftheproposedadditiontothemainbuildingare130by97feet;iseightstoriesinheightandconstructedofbrick.Onthesiteoftheimprovementstoodformerlytheengineand“retort”housesoccupyingaconsiderablespace,butthesehavebeenremovedtomakeroom,andnewoneserectedtothenorthwestoftheoriginalbuilding,intherearofasetnewandextensiveofBices,builtatthesametime,onFirststreet.Therearbuildingwillhavetwotowers,atagivendistancefromeachother,extendingouteightfeettowardstherear,oneofwhichwillbesoconstructedastofurnishasafewayofretreatincaseofBireintheestablishment.Thenewadditionwillbesupportedbyironcolumns;have5,300mouldsforthesugaroneachoftheBirstfourBloors,which,togetherwiththoseintheoriginalbuilding,willmaketheentirenumber30,000;willbefurnishedwith17“centrifugals”toseparatethemolassesfromthesugar,andtheriverfrontofthestructurebeartheinstruction,“Havemeyer&Elder.”Whentheworkiscompleted,thedimensionsoftheentireestablishmentwithbe180feetwaterandstreetfrontby150footindepth.Mr.JosephWesleyisthearchitect,towhichgentlementheReporteroftheEAGLEisindebtedfortheprecedingfacts.
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �7
1.WhatisthereasonthatMessers.Havemeyers&Elderareexpandingtheirfactory?
2.HowwillthemodiBiedfactorychangeBrooklyn’swaterfront?
3.WhatpartofthenewfactorydoyouthinkwouldbethemostimpressivetoBrooklyn’sresidents?Why?
4.Listtwoquestionsthatthisdocumentbringsup.
DOCUMENT3:“SugarFactory.”1926.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �8
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �9
1.Describetheimage.
2.SpeciBically,describetheboatsthatarebringingsugartoandfromthefactory.
3.Whattypesofsoundsdoyouthinkyoumighthearifyouworkedonthedockspictureintheimage?
DOCUMENT4:Steroview.KeystoneViewCompany.FillingandSewingBagsofGrainulatedSugar–NewYork.N.d.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �10
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �11
1.Describethetaskthatthewomeninthephotoaredoing.
2.Fromthe text (whichappearson thebackof the image),wheredoes it saymostof the sugarcomesfrom?Whereisthe“centerofthesugarreBiningworld?”
3.WhatarethefourstepstoreBiningrawsugar?
4.Howdoyouthinkthesugardustaffectedtheworkersatthefactory?
DOCUMENT5:Newspaper.“COLOSSAL.”BrooklynDailyEagle30July1883.Print.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �12
COLOSSAL
Mr.TheodoreA.Havemeyer’sNewSugarReTinery
ItsWorkingCapacityEnormous–TheNewWarehouseErectedontheRuinsoftheBurnedBuilding–TheThreeOtherReTineriesandStructuresOwnedByMr.Havemeyer.
AmongthegreatindustriesoftheEasternDistrictsugarreBiningranksforemost,andamongthegreatestablishmentsoftheworldforthereBiningofthearticlethisnewone,nownearlycompleted,forMr.TheodoreA.Havemeyer,atFirstandSouthThirdstreets,standsBirst.Thebuilding,orbuildingsrather,fortherearetwoofthem–areBineryproperandaBilteringhouse–arethelargestofthekindonthefaceoftheglobe,and,whensuppliedwithallthemachineryandinfulloperation,willhavebyfarthelargestcapacityofanyreBineryoneithercontinent.ThenextlargestreBineryisMatthieson&Wilcher’s,ofJerseyCity.ThepresentmonsterstructurefurnishedanideaoftheenormousbusinessdonebyMr.Havemeyer.Hisimmenseestablishment,whichcoversomuchoftheEasternDistrictriverfront,willbecompleteinalltheirappointmentswiththeadditionofanewmachineshop,whichisnownearlyBinished.TheestablishmentsofMr.HavemeyerconnectedwiththenewreBineryareboundedbySouthSecondandSouthSixthstreets,FirststreetandtheEastRiver.OntheeastsideofFirststreet,runningmidwayintheblockbetweenSouthThirdandSouthFourthstreets,isagreatstructurewhichwasusedasaboilerhouseandforBilteringpurposesbeforethegreatBireayearandahalformoreago.ThebuildingiselevenstorieshighabovegroundandhadbeenconnectedbyanironbridgeacrossFirststreetatthethirdstorywiththeburnedbuildings.
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �13
1.Inrelationtootherfactories,howbigdoesthearticleclaimHavemeyer’snewfactorywillbe?
2.WhatpartofthefactorycaughtBire“ayearandahalformoreago?”Whatwasthatpartofthefactoryusedfor?
3.WhatotherinformationcanwelearnaboutMr.Havemeyerfromlookingattheheadlineofthisarticle?
4.Thearticlereferencesanotherlargefactory.Whereisthatfactorylocated?WhymightthatlocationalsobeagoodspotforasugarreBinery?
DOCUMENT6:Photograph.“AmericanSugarReBiningCo.”N.d.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
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DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �15
1.Describetheimage.
2.Whichpartsofthefactorydoyoubelievetobetheoldest?Whichpartsthenewest?Whydoyouthinkthat?
3.Describetheboatsintheimage.HowdotheycomparetotheboatsdepictedinDOCUMENT3?
4.HowelsehasthereBinerychanged?ComparethisdocumenttoDOCUMENT3.
DOCUMENT7:Newspaper.“TheSugarTrust.”BrooklynDailyEagle8Mar.1888.Print.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �16
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �17
1.Amonopolyiswhenonecompanyorgroupofcompaniescontroltheoutputofagoodorservice.Whymightmonopoliesbebadforsmallbusinesses?
2.WhowerethewitnesseswhoappearedbeforetheHouseCommitteeonManufactures?
3.Eventuallythegovernmentwouldpasslawsregulatingtrustsandmonopolies.Whydoyouthinkthisis?Isitfartoregulatehowmuchsomeonecancontrol?
4.ListtwoquestionsyouhaveabouttheSugarTrust.
DOCUMENT8:Advertisement.“CrystalDominoSugar.”BrooklynDailyEagle31May1902.Print.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �18
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �19
1.Whattypeofsugaristheadvertisementselling?
2.Whataresomedifferentphrasesorsimilesthattheadvertisementusestopromoteitsproduct?
3.Whydoestheadvertisementsaythathavingtheboxesarrivesealedisimportant?
4.Whodoyouthinkthisadvertisementisdirectedtowards?Whydoyouthinkthat?
DOCUMENT9a:“AmericanSugarReBiningCompany.”BrooklynDailyEagle12Nov1950.Print.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �20
DOCUMENT9b:AmericanSugarReBiningCompany.BrooklynDailyEagle12Nov.1950.Print.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �21
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �22
1.DescribeDOCUMENT9a.
2.DescribeDOCUMENT9b.
3.Thefactoryworkerintheimageistestingthequalityofmolasses,TheDominoSugarFactoryproducedmanydifferentsugarproducts.Howmanyothersugarproductscanyouthinkof?
4.Lookingat the images,whydoyouthinktheAmericanSugarReBiningCompanywasso important toBrooklyn’seconomy?
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �23
DOCUMENT10:Letter.LetterfromPresidentoftheBoroughofBrooklyn.10April1940.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �24
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �25
1.Whatisthepurposeoftheletter?
2.WhatdoesBoroughPresidentCashmorestateisthelargestreasonforthedeclineinBrooklyn’ssugarreBineryindustry?
3.WhatotherindustriesthrivedbecauseoftheirconnectiontoBrooklyn’ssugarindustry?
DOCUMENT11:Newspaper.Yardley,William.“TheLastGrainFallsataSugarFactory.”NewYorkTimes31Jan.2004.Print.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �26
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �27
Transcription of DOCUMENT 11
The Last Grain Falls at a Sugar Factory
Richard Rednour spent the last week of his 28 years at the Domino Sugar plant in Brooklyn learning how to write a resume. “Networking” was among the other pieces of advice Mr. Rednour picked up this week at the employment classes the plant had offered to workers who will soon be reentering the job market. Yesterday, the plant’s owner, American Sugar Refining, ended nearly all operations at the Williamsburg refining and packing plant, which has overlooked the East River since the 1880’s. “I learned this past week that I’m a dinosaur,” Mr. Rednour said yesterday, taking a final drag during his final cigarette break outside the complex of brick and concrete buildings that stretches across more than 11 riverfront acers just north of the Williamsburg Bridge. “Having a job for a long time in one place is not necessarily a good thing. It used to mean I was reliable.” More than 220 others who have reliably arrived for work for years will not return on Monday, leaving fewer than two dozen workers to operate the plant at a greatly diminished level – reduced to packing sugar cubes and filling plastic toy figurines with cinnamon sugar – until it closes permanently later this year. American Sugar, which bought the plant in 2001, announced in August that it would close because of falling demand for cane sugar in an age of beet sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and other competing sweeteners. What will eventually become of the plant is unclear, but speculation among those standing outside it in the cold yesterday morning, shaking hands and saying goodbye, was that it would go the way of the soda factory, the knitting factory, the boot polish factory and so many other factories whose brick shells have been transformed into housing and commercial space to make way for the gentrification rippling through Brooklyn. Williamsburg has changed as the manufacturing plans that once defined it have declined. In Brooklyn as a whole, the average number of manufacturing jobs declined to 33,967 in June 2003 from 88,800 in June 1984. In June 1958, the figure was 222,200, according to date from the state and the United States Department of Labor. Now, retailers on nearby Bedford Avenue trade on that industrial past. One store, Brooklyn Industries, sells clothing and bags, while another, Spoonbill and Sugartown Booksellers, includes an image of the Domino plant in some of its advertising materials. A spokeswoman for the Department of City Planning said the plant was not likely to be turned into housing. Under a proposed rezoning of the Williamsburg and Greenpoint waterfront, the Domino plant site would remain industrial or commercial, possibly with limited retail offerings like a hardware store, or office space. “We really wish to keep the current mix of zoning uses, which are characteristic of the neighborhood,” said the spokeswoman, Matie Maccracken. “We have not been approached to change it.” Florida Crystals, the Florida agriculture conglomerate that is a co-owner of American Sugar, does not have immediate plans for the site when it closes later this year, said its vice president Jorge Dominicis. “This wasn’t a decision made because we’ve got some other plan,” Mr. Dominicis said in a telephone interview. “We’re not that far along.” He said that while the company was reluctant to lay off workers, a decline in sugar demand had forced it to close the plant, one of two the company owns in the New York area. Some workers may find jobs at the other plant, in Yonkers, he said. The Brooklyn plant endured the book and decline of Brooklyn’s sugar industry – New York was the nation’s largest sugar refiner in the late 19th century – and the end has not come easily. Intermittent strikes since the 1980’s increased tensions between labor and management, closing the plant for 20 months from 1999 to 2001, and yesterday several workers disputed the way American Sugar was interpreting their severance pay plan. Brendan McPartland, the union representative for many of the machinists and mechanics leaving yesterday, said that the plant closing was “a tragedy” and that the union would challenge the company’s interpretation of the severance agreement. Jack Lay, president and chief executive of American Sugar, said the dispute would have to be resolved through arbitration.
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS:
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �28
1.WhenMr.Rednoursaysthatheis“dinosaur,”whatdoeshemean?
2.HowmanymorefactorieswerethereinBrooklynin1958thaninBrooklynin2003?
3.HowarebusinessesintheneighborhoodusingtheBrooklyn’shistorytosellproducts?
4.WhatdoesthearticlesaywillhappentotheiconicDominoSugarsign?
DOCUMENT12:LandmarkDesignationReport.LandmarksPreservationCommission.Havemeyers&ElderFilter,Pan&FinishingHouse.NewYork:25Sept.2007.Print.
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DOCUMENT12cont.
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �30
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �31
1.HowmanypeoplespokeinfavoroflandmarkingpartsoftheDominoSugarFactory?
2.Someofthespeakerswantedthesiteexpandedwhileotherswerehesitant.Whyweresomeworriedaboutexpandingthesite?
3.TheLandmarksCommissionfoundthatthebuildinghas“specialhistoricalandaestheticinterests.”Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?
4.IfyoucouldusetheoldDominoSugarFactorybuildingforwhateveryouwanted,whatwouldyouuseitforandwhy?