The Long Island Historical Society (LIHS) was established in 1863 in the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights. From 1863 to 1880, LIHS rented rooms on Hamilton Street until it was able to build its now landmarked building. The building, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991, was designed by architect George B. Post and completed in 1881. Portions of the interior of the building, including its library, were designated an Interior Landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. As of 2011, only 110 interiors have been granted this designation by the Commission.
The mission of LIHS was to preserve and encourage the study of Long Island and Brooklyn history via collecting and making available primary and secondary resources, as well as to hold exhibitions, tours, and events. Originally named the Long Island Historical Society due to its location on Long Island, which today is comprised of four counties--Kings County, Queens County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County--it was renamed the Brooklyn Historical Society in 1985.
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Sources:
- Petersen, Martin C. and Sean Hemmerle (photos). "Looking Inward."
Metropolis Magazine, December, 2010. Accessed May 23, 2011. http://www.metropolismag.com/story/20101215/looking-inward
- National Park Service. "National Historic Landmarks Program: Brooklyn Historical Society Building." Accessed May 23, 2011. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=2119&ResourceType=Building
- Brooklyn Historical Society. "About BHS: The Landmark Building." Accessed May 23, 2011. http://brooklynhistory.org/about/landmark.html
From the guide to the Long Island Historical Society photographs, circa 1925 to 1980, (Brooklyn Historical Society)
