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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.

“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

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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.

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DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �18

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.

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �19

DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �20

1. Describethejobthatthemenareperformingintheaboveimages.

2. Howwouldyoudescribetheworkthatthesemenaredoing?Isitcomplicated?Repetitive?Woulditbeinterestingorboring?Doyouthinktheywouldhaveneededcertainskills?

3. Whatotherjobsmightmenhavehadinthedepot?Thinkabouthowtheoystersgetintothewarehouseandwhathappenstothemaftertheyhavebeenremovedfromtheshell.

DOCUMENT8:Menu.Gage&Tollner’sInc.65thAnniversaryMenu.NewYork.1944.Print.BrooklynCollection,BrooklynPublicLibrary.

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �21

DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �22

1. Describethisdocument?Whatisit?Whereisitfrom?

2. Whatonthemenusoundsinteresting?Whatonthemenusoundsunappetizing?Why?

3. Giventhenumberofitemsonthemenu,whatisonebenebitofcookingwithoysters?

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �23

DOCUMENT9:Photograph.“BluePointCo.,WestSayvilleOysterShippers.”BrooklynDailyEagle.8Mar.1934.Print.

Note:ThispicturewastakenonLongIsland.However,manybusinessesinBrooklynwouldhavebeenidenticaltothisone.

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �24

DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �25

1. Describetheimage.

2. SimilarpilesofoysterswouldhavebeenseenatdepotsacrossBrooklyn,NewYorkandLongIsland.Whatdoesthistellusaboutthequantityofoystersbeingfarmed?

3. Whatwouldhavebeensomeofthedangersoffarmingthismanyoysters?

4. Howwouldfarmingthismanyoystershaveimpactedtheeconomyandtheoverallpriceofoysters?

DOCUMENT10:Photo.“EnglishKills.”BrooklynDailyEagle194-?,Print.

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �26

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:

BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �30

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.

©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �4

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.

©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �14

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.

©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �29

DOCUMENT12cont.

©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �30

DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS

©BrooklynConnections–BrooklynPublicLibrary �31

1.HowmanypeoplespokeinfavoroflandmarkingpartsoftheDominoSugarFactory?

2.Someofthespeakerswantedthesiteexpandedwhileotherswerehesitant.Whyweresomeworriedaboutexpandingthesite?

3.TheLandmarksCommissionfoundthatthebuildinghas“specialhistoricalandaestheticinterests.”Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?

4.IfyoucouldusetheoldDominoSugarFactorybuildingforwhateveryouwanted,whatwouldyouuseitforandwhy?

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