Brooklyn Academy of Music

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The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences was incorporated in 1859. The original Academy, located at 176-194 Montague Street, was destroyed by fire in 1903, and the new Academy was opened in 1908.

From the description of Records, 1891-1984. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155456506

The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences was incorporated in 1859. The original Academy, located at 176-194 Montague Street in Brooklyn, New York, was destroyed by fire in 1903, and the new Academy was opened in 1908.

From the description of Brooklyn Academy of Music records, 1863-1889. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122607769

From the guide to the Brooklyn Academy of Music records, 1863-1886, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Collecting area: Records relating to the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

From the description of Repository description. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155458415

Brooklyn Academy of Music opened in 1861 on Montague Street.

From the description of Stock certificates, 1861-1869. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155460521

The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences evolved from the Brooklyn Apprentices' Library Association formed in 1823, largely through the efforts of Augustus Graham. In 1825 the Marquis de Lafayette laid the cornerstone of a new building on Washington Street -- a memorable occasion for a young witness named Walt Whitman. The Library was renamed the Brooklyn Institute in 1843 and remained essentially the same until about 1888 when a greatly expanded program into many branches of science and art was initiated. Among the new division and departments added between 1890 and 1911 were (with year of opening):

The Brooklyn Museum (1897) The Brooklyn Children's Museum (1899) The Brooklyn Academy of Music (absorbed in 1907) Biological Laboratory at Cold Spring Harbor (1907) The Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1911)

A destructive fire at the Washington Street building in 1890 marred the accomplishments of a merger with the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences (BIA&S) and reincorporation. An ambitious plan for a new building near Prospect Park was conceived in the 1890's. It was to house the Institute's library and a large museum complex. A new building to replace the original Brooklyn Academy of Music edifice which was destroyed by fire in 1903 was begun in 1907.

The parent BIA&S transferred the Biological Laboratory to the Long Island Biological Association in the early 1920's now called Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory. In the face of financial restraints brought on by the Depression, the Institute began narrowing its focus. The Museum began concentrating on the collection of art objects, and beginning about that time, the different branches became more and more independent, such as the Academy of Music, which is now independently operated.

Sources Lopate, Carol. Education and Culture in Brooklyn: a History of Ten Institutions. [Brooklyn, N.Y.]: Brooklyn Educational and Cultural Alliance, 1979. 63 p.

From the guide to the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences records, 1843-1979, (Brooklyn Historical Society)

The origins of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences extend back to 1823, with the founding of the Brooklyn Apprentices' Library. The Library, located at the corner of Cranberry and Henry Streets in the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, was established for the education and cultural enrichment of young tradesmen. In 1841, the Library relocated to the building of the Brooklyn Lyceum, an organization devoted to intellectual pursuits in the arts and sciences, at the corner of Washington and Concord Streets. In 1843, the Library and the Lyceum merged to form the Brooklyn Institute, an organization offering a variety of scientific, literary, cultural, and educational programs.

In 1890, the Institute was renamed the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences in reflection of an ambitious new initiative to expand its programming through the development of several divisions devoted to the arts and sciences. In accordance with this initiative, four new divisions were established between 1890 and 1911, including the Brooklyn Museum, devoted to the collecting of fine arts and the natural sciences; the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the world's first cultural and educational center devoted entirely to children; the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which functioned as a city park and an institution devoted to the collection and exhibition of plants and trees, as well as the dissemination of botanical knowledge; and the Biological Laboratory at Cold Spring Harbor in Long Island, devoted to education and research in the biological sciences. Later in 1936, the Institute absorbed Brooklyn's premier performing arts center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), which had been founded in 1859.

To coincide with its organizational expansion, the Institute developed plans for the construction of a grand museum building on Eastern Parkway. The building, designed by the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, was intended to eventually serve as the center for all the Institute's programs and activities. Initial construction took place between 1895 and 1926, with the west wing being opened to the public as part of the Brooklyn Museum as early as 1897. However, the Institute's original plan for a grandiose, all-encompassing building proved to be too ambitious, and the finished building was only one-quarter the size that the Institute had originally intended. Rather than serving as a comprehensive facility for the Institute's myriad activities, the new building instead came to exclusively house the Brooklyn Museum.

In the early 1920s, the Institute transferred the Biological Laboratory at Cold Spring Harbor to the Long Island Biological Association. With the onset of the Great Depression in the 1930s, the Institute was compelled to further narrow its focus. The Brooklyn Museum was refashioned exclusively as an art museum, and its scientific exhibitions were transferred to other institutions. In time, the Institute came to be primarily associated with the Brooklyn Museum, and in the ensuing decades the Institute's other divisions began operating more and more as self-sufficient organizations. In the 1970s, the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and BAM all became independent entities separate from the Institute. The Institute's name was later officially changed to the Brooklyn Museum.

Sources: Brooklyn Botanic Garden. "A Brief History of BBG." Accessed January 4, 2011. http://www.bbg.org/about/history/ Brooklyn Children's Museum. "History." Accessed January 4, 2011. http://www.brooklynkids.org/index.php/whoweare/history Brooklyn Museum. "About: The Museum's Building." Accessed January 4, 2011. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/about/building.php Brooklyn Museum. "Initial Construction (1890s-1920s)." Accessed January 4, 2011. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/about/initial_construction.php Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. "History." Accessed January 4, 2011. http://www.cshl.edu/About-Us/History/ Lopate, Carol. Education and Culture in Brooklyn: A History of Ten Institutions. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Brooklyn Educational & Cultural Alliance, c1979.

From the guide to the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences publications and ephemera, Bulk, 1904-1986, 1877-1998, (Brooklyn Historical Society)

Brooklyn residents Gordon L. Ford (1823-1891), Samuel S. Powell, and Henry A. Washburn worked as a lawyer, a clothier, and an engineer, respectively.

The Brooklyn Academy of Music, one of Brooklyn's premier centers for the performing arts, was founded in 1859 and officially opened in 1861 on Montague Street. After its building was destroyed by a fire in 1903, the Academy moved to a facility on Lafayette Avenue in the neighborhood of Fort Greene, which opened in 1908. In 1936, facing depleted financial resources, the Academy became part of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, with which it remained until the 1970s, when it again became an independent organization.

Sources: Brooklyn Academy of Music. "History of Brooklyn Academy of Music." Accessed July 15, 2011. http://bam.org/view.aspx?pid=11

From the guide to the Brooklyn Academy of Music stock certificates, 1861, (Brooklyn Historical Society)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Thomas Skelton papers, circa 1953-1994 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
referencedIn George Balanchine archive, 1924-1989 (inclusive), 1961-1983 (bulk). Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Negatives, 1900-1938. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Baker's dozen : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1979. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Brooklyn Academy of Music. Press materials. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn [Collection of material relating to the Brooklyn Academy of Music.]. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Ray Henderson papers, 1904-1937 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Manufacturers' Association of New York annual banquet programs, 1908-1909 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
creatorOf Ballet America (Concert series). [Programs, announcements] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Kinsella, Thomas, 1832-1884. Thomas Kinsella papers, ca. 1861-1868. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Brooklyn Academy of Music. Collection of music performances [videorecording], 1984-1989. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Brooklyn ephemera collection, 1814-1998 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Pew Charitable Trusts. Grant products reports, 1988-2002. Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf Brooklyn Academy of Music. Institutional file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
creatorOf Brooklyn Academy of Music. [Annual reports], 1994- Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IUPUI
referencedIn Rogers, Charles E. Charles E. Rogers diary, 1864-1865. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Brooklyn Academy of Music. Playbills, 1862-1863. University of Florida
referencedIn Franklin Furnace Ephemera Collection, Compiled by Matthew Hogan, ca. 1970 - 2007 (Bulk 1985 - 2007) Fales Library & Special Collections
referencedIn Gore Vidal papers, 1850-2020 (inclusive), 1936-2008 (bulk) Houghton Library
creatorOf Stock certificates, 1861-1869. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Records, 1891-1984. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Mabou Mines Archive Fales Library & Special Collections
referencedIn Archives at Queens Library. Performing Arts. Brooklyn Academy of Music [vertical file] / [compiled by the Archives at Queens Library]. Queens Borough Public Library
creatorOf Records, 1953-1974, 1965-1974 (bulk). New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Polakov, Lester. Sketches, notes and plans, 1972-1973. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn John Gilbert miscellany, 1887-1889 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Repository description. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Programs collection I : New York City theaters, [ca. 1865]-[ongoing] University of Pittsburgh
referencedIn Franklin Furnace Ephemera Collection, Compiled by Matthew Hogan ca. 1970-2007 (bulk 1985-2007). Fales Library & Special Collections
referencedIn Postcard album - Brooklyn views, [ca.1900-1969] New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Physical plant operations records, [ca. 1902-1980] New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Robert Green Ingersoll Collection, 1877-1899 University of Virginia. Library. Special Collections Dept.
creatorOf Brooklyn Academy of Music records, 1863-1889. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Apollo Club of Brooklyn programs, 1886-1967 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Thomas Kinsella papers, ca. 1861-1868 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Chelsea Theater Center records, 1968-1984 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Charles E. Rogers diary, 1864-1865 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Ginsberg (Allen) photograph collection Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences records, 1843-1979 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
creatorOf Courtney Yenni papers, 1841-1929 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
creatorOf Skinner, Edith. Papers of Edith Warman Skinner, 1902-1981. University of Pittsburgh
referencedIn Roderick Nordell papers, 1948-2000. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Chelsea Theater Center (New York, N.Y.). Chelsea Theater Center records, 1968-1984. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn James Atkins Noyes collection, 1865-1890 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn New Directions Publishing records Houghton Library
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Cacklin' hen : sound effects and vocal call score used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1977. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Jerome Frank photographs of Brooklyn, 1983-1988 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Milton Caniff Collection, 1805-2007, 1910-1988 The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
creatorOf Kamali, Norma,. In the upper room : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1986. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Forman, Miloš,. Hair : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in choreographing the dances for the motion picture and for the stage version, 1979. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Wole Soyinka papers, 1966-1996. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Negatives, 1963-1985. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Culme-Seymour, Michael. [The Bridge Project - The Winter's tale, 16-31 March 2009, Esplanade Theatre, Singapore] / [photography and layout by Sir Michael Culme-Seymour]. National Library Board, Singapore
creatorOf Dace, Letitia. Tish Dace papers, 1950-2002. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. [Fliers announcing programs from the Institute at the Academy of Music, Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, for the 1939/1940 season.]. New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo.,. Mud : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1977. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Living Theatre ephemera collection, 1953–1968 University of Delaware Library - Special Collections
referencedIn Records, 1889-1976. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Brooklyn and Manhattan theater and concert programs scrapbook, 1875-1885 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
creatorOf Abelman, Max. The Papers of Max Abelman, 193?-195? 194?-195? Brooklyn College
referencedIn Letter, 1913. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences publications and ephemera, Bulk, 1904-1986, 1877-1998 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn May B. Woodward scrapbook, Bulk, 1886-1887, 1884-1896 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
creatorOf Brooklyn Academy of Music records, 1863-1886 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Brooklyn theater collection, Bulk, 1863-1911, 1733-1916 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Frank Jenks theater program collection, 1877-1892 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Theater programs scrapbook, 1890-1895 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn I Love New York Spring Festival ephemera and memorabilia collection, 1992 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
creatorOf Huot, Robert,. Group activities : choreographic notes and research materials used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1969. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Brooklyn Academy of Music stock certificates, 1861 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
creatorOf Brooklyn Academy of Music. Correspondence with Marian Anderson, 1960-1972. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Programs, 1904-1974. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn [Programs and other material relating to the Apollo Club of Brooklyn]. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Records, 1843-1980. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Brooklyn Museum. Office of the Director. Charles Nagel records, 1946-1955. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Letter, 1893. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Joseph Jefferson letter, 1893 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Abelman, Max. person
associatedWith Apollo Club of Brooklyn (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Archives at Queens Library. corporateBody
correspondedWith Balanchine, George. person
associatedWith Ballet America (Concert series) corporateBody
associatedWith Boston Symphony Orchestra. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Academy of Music. Next Wave Festival. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Botanic Garden. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Children's Museum. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Museum. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Museum. Office of the Director. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Public Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Chadwick, John White, 1840-1904 person
associatedWith Chelsea Theater Center (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Culme-Seymour, Michael. person
associatedWith Ford, Gordon L. person
associatedWith Frank, Jerome G. person
associatedWith Gershwin, George, 1898-1937. person
associatedWith Gilbert, John, 1810-1889 person
associatedWith Ginsberg, Allen person
associatedWith Henderson, Ray, 1889-1937 person
associatedWith Hooper, Franklin, ca. 1851-1914. person
associatedWith Jefferson, Joseph, 1829-1905. person
associatedWith Jenks, Frank, Sr. person
associatedWith Kinsella, Thomas, 1832-1884. person
associatedWith League of Historic American Theatres. corporateBody
associatedWith Living Theatre (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Manufacturers' Association of New York. corporateBody
correspondedWith Milton Caniff person
associatedWith National Endowment for the Arts. corporateBody
associatedWith New Directions Publishing Corp. corporateBody
associatedWith New York Philharmonic. corporateBody
associatedWith New York State Council on the Arts. corporateBody
associatedWith Nordell, Roderick. person
associatedWith Noyes, James Atkins, 1857-1945 person
associatedWith Pew Charitable Trusts. corporateBody
associatedWith Philharmonic Society of Brooklyn. corporateBody
associatedWith Polakov, Lester. person
associatedWith Powell, Samuel S. person
associatedWith Powell, Samuel S. person
associatedWith Rogers, Charles E person
associatedWith Rogers, Charles E. person
associatedWith Skelton, Thomas R person
associatedWith Skinner, Edith. person
associatedWith Smith, Arks. person
associatedWith Soyinka, Wole. person
associatedWith Underhill, Irving. person
correspondedWith Vidal, Gore, 1925- person
associatedWith Washburn, Henry A. person
associatedWith Washburn, Henry A. person
associatedWith Woodward, May B. person
associatedWith Yenni, Courtney person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) |x Intellectual life
New York (State)--New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
New York (State)--New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
New York (State)--New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) |x Intellectual life
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) |x Intellectual life
New York (State)--New York
New York (N.Y.) |x Intellectual life
Prospect Heights (New York, N.Y.)
New York (State)
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
New York (State)--Brooklyn
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
New York (State)--New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
Prospect Park (New York, N.Y.)
Subject
Theater
Theater
Education
Arts
Botanical gardens
Botany
Botany
Centers for the performing arts
Children's museums
Concert programs
Concerts
Concerts
Conservatories of music
Conservatories of music
Endowments
Endowments
Endowments
Gardening for children
Museums
Museums
Music
Music
Music
Music
Music education
Performing arts
Performing arts
Performing arts
Performing arts festivals
Performing arts festivals
Sciences
Stock transfer
Theaters
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1960

Active 1972

Americans

Information

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