WOOLWORTH’S BEDSTUY BACKYARD (1889)
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?
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In 1889, the head of the Woolworth “5 & dime” store chain, Frank Woolworth, bought a substantial brownstone house, No. 209 Jefferson Avenue, in what would become the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Their home would soon become the center of life for the Woolworth family – and their friends and co-workers.
After purchasing the brownstone in 1889, Frank Woolworth would frequently entertain his business associates there, bringing them together, at least once a year, for what he termed a “Grand Five and Ten Reunion.” These reunions lasted two or three days and were jolly affairs, generally culminating in a picnic or a seashore excursion, with plenty of food and liquid refreshment.
The first “reunion” would be held just a month-and-a-half after buying No. 209 and would be held annually through the early 1890s.
The picture above is from their first “reunion” in 1889. All of Woolworth’s regional managers, who were often family members, posed with Frank (seated with his topper at right) at a side fence, likely the one on the west side of their property as you can see buildings along Nostrand Avenue.
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Brownstone Detectives is an historic property research agency. Our mission is to document and save the histories of our clients’ homes. From our research, we produce our celebrated House History Books and House History Reports. Contact us today to begin discovering the history of your home.
