“PLAIN” GIRLS SHOULD GO TO COLLEGE (1911)
******************************************************************************************************************************** Brownstone Detectives investigates the history of our clients’ homes. The story you are about to read was composed from research conducted in the course of one of those investigations. Do you know the history of YOUR house? ******************************************************************************************************************************** It’s tough being plain. But if you go to college you increase your chances of getting that “MRS” degree. So said Brooklynite Imogene Kelly who, while in her senior year at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, was editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper, Wellesley College News. The top scribe’s job gave the sensible young lady ample opportunity to place her thoughts before her adoring public. After her piece about the necessity of homely girls attending college to increase their chances of marital bliss, though, Kelly hadn’t much of an audience at all. WHY GIRLS GO TO COLLEGE In an article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Kelly was showcased for her viewed of the necessity of a college education. “The unattractive girl, in order to equalize her chances for a husband with the less plain girl, must do so by getting an education,” Kelly reported. “The girl who is attractive and good looking need not secure a college training in order to fulfill her marriage destiny.” Kelly’s story, though, earned her an audience far beyond the campus of Wellesley, as it was picked up by a number of news services and printed in many places around the country. “The girls at Wellesley, as a rule, are not beautiful, and for that reason these girls […]
IS THIS THE SITE OF A MASS GRAVE? (1905)
This year will mark the 241st anniversary of the day that, in 1776, our gallant soldiers of the 1st Maryland Regiment “fell in combat” in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Gen. George Washington was being routed by the British in the battle that might very well have ended our colonial bid for independence, were it not for these brave men, who held the British off while the rest of the American army could escape to fight another day. While Washington’s troops were spiriting away towards the East River, soon to escape in a fog so dense that the British did not know it was happening, the Maryland soldiers were dying and being captured at the hands of the representatives of our former enemy, the British Army. In the words of Walt Whitman, describing Washington as he watched the discomfiting scene through his telescope: Now of the old war-days . . the defeat at Brooklyn; Washington stands inside the lines . . he stands on the entrenched hills amid a crowd of officers, His face is cold and damp . . . . he cannot repress the weeping drops . . . . He lifts the glass perpetually to his eyes . . . . the color is blanched from his cheeks, He sees the slaughter of the southern braves confided to him by their parents. Ultimately,” according to the New York Times, “of the the original Maryland 400 muster, 96 returned, with only 35 fit for duty.” The mass grave, consisting of six […]
“DETECTIVES” HISTORY AUCTION NETS $1K
Brownstone Detectives created some history of its own last week. At the Prospect Park Alliance’s Party in the Park, the house detectives had the opportunity to join with Chris Bonnell, a brownstone illustrator, to contribute to the green non-profit organization’s annual silent auction. Bonnell donated a brownstone illustration to the auction, while Brownstone Detectives volunteered a House History Report. In the end, the team was the second-to-top auction grosser, raising $1000 for the Alliance’s activities. “It really excited the donors to get to bid on both the history and the illustration in the one offering,” said Brian Hartig, CEO of Brownstone Detectives. Bonnell, who recently received his MFA from the School of Visual Arts, has been drawing brownstones for some time now. A regular feature of the fundraiser’s silent auction every year, he thought that a team effort this year would create a more holistic approach to the documentation of a house. So he contacted Hartig – who agreed. “I’m looking forward to working with Chris on this project and others going forward,” said Hartig. “His drawings and our histories are going to make an excellent combination.” The two are planning to meet the winning bidder soon to start their work on drawing and researching her house. Follow @BrownstoneDetec ———————————————————————————————————————– The Brownstone Detectives The story you just read was composed from historical research performed by The Brownstone Detectives. Allow us do an in-depth investigation of your house and its former owners and produce your very own House History Book. Your hardbound […]
WIN A HOUSE HISTORY @ PROSPECT PARK!
Brownstone Detectives is giving away a free House History Report this week! We’ll be teaming up with architectural illustrator, Chris Bonnell, to help raise funds for the Prospect Park Alliance. The Alliance’s annual fundraiser Party for the Park – will be held at the Prospect Park Boathouse this Thursday, 14 May, at 8-11 p.m. Part of the fundraiser is a silent auction, where attendees can bid on donated products and services. There you will find our combined biddable auction – a House History Report and a House Illustration. HOUSE HISTORY REPORT – THE BROWNSTONE DETECTIVES If you are the lucky highest bidder on our auction, we will create your House History Report by researching and laying out your house’s chain of title, revealing the name of every person who owned your house, when they took ownership of it, and – wherever such information is available – how much they paid for it. In addition to the chain-of-title research, we will also perform historical research on the owners and on the house itelf. Most House History Reports run approximately 15-20 pages, detailing the historical lineage of your home in an engaging narrative. HOME ILLUSTRATION – CHRIS BONNELL Additionally, architectural illustrator, Chris Bonnell, will draw your house, capturing its personality and charming details in a high-quality digital print. Chris is a Brooklyn-based writer and illustrator, holding a BA in English from the University of Florida. Additionally, he is graduating this week from the School of Visual Arts with his MFA. Click HERE […]
