Step inside one of Brooklyn’s most treasured landmarks and see how history and design meet in a space built for everyone. The Center for Brooklyn History, once the Brooklyn Historical Society, joined the Brooklyn Public Library in 2020 and is now free and open to all for research, learning, and cultural exploration. The Center for Brooklyn History holds the world’s largest collection of Brooklyn-related archives, making it a destination for anyone curious about the borough’s past and present.

Fresh from a renovation by Marble Fairbanks Architects, this architectural gem shines with restored details and new features that improve accessibility and public engagement. The Othmer Library, a designated New York City landmarked interior, boasts a magnificent reading room that offers a dramatic setting for its rare collections and ephemera. The building also hosts ever-changing exhibitions and programs that bring Brooklyn’s history to life for visitors of all ages.

On this special tour, led by the CBH team and the project’s lead architect, Tanya Gershon, AIA, Director at Marble Fairbanks Architects, you’ll explore how the design team preserved the building’s character while reimagining it as a vibrant public resource. You’ll also visit the current exhibitions and enjoy a look inside the landmarked Othmer Library.

The ADA entrance is located at the main entrance to the building.

Part of the tour will be on the second floor, which can be accessed via elevator.

Children are welcome accompanied by an adult. All perons attending, including children, must have a ticket.