Center for Brooklyn History
🏢 Brooklyn Public Library · Brooklyn, New York
Center for Brooklyn History
The Center for Brooklyn History at 128 Pierrepont Street is Brooklyn Public Library's nationally recognized research library and public history institution — housing the most expansive catalogue of Brooklyn history in the world inside a landmark Romanesque Revival building designed by George B. Post in 1890.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 128 Pierrepont Street, BROOKLYN, NY 11201
Phone: 718-222-4111
Website: bklynlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G8M2V5+X3 (BROOKLYN, NY)
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📖 About Center for Brooklyn History
The Center for Brooklyn History (CBH) was formed in 2020 by uniting Brooklyn Historical Society (founded 1863) and Brooklyn Public Library, merging over 157 years of collected materials into the most comprehensive Brooklyn history archive anywhere. CBH is housed at 128 Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights, in the landmark Romanesque Revival building designed by architect George B. Post — the same structure that served as home to the Long Island Historical Society and then the Brooklyn Historical Society for nearly 140 years. After an extensive renovation, CBH is fully open to the public with reading and study areas, gallery exhibitions, the second-floor Othmer Library for archival research (open Tue–Sat on a separate schedule), and a retail shop called The Shop at CBH. The institution extends its programming and collection access across all 60-plus branches of the Brooklyn Public Library system.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Formed in 2020 by merging Brooklyn Historical Society (est. 1863) with BPL, creating the world's most expansive Brooklyn history catalogue
- Housed in the landmark 1890 Romanesque Revival building at 128 Pierrepont Street, designed by architect George B. Post
- Fully open to the public after extensive renovation — reading and study areas, gallery exhibitions, and The Shop at CBH
- Second-floor Othmer Library provides access to primary-source archives (Tue–Sat, separate hours; see bklynlibrary.org)
- Active public programming: CBH Talks author series, and the exhibition 'Centering Collections' through February 5, 2027
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
CBH visitors and Brooklyn cardholders access New York's statewide and BPL digital collections free of charge:
📚 Services
- Public reading and study areas — open to all, no appointment needed for general access
- Othmer Library archival collections access (Tue–Sat, second floor; hours vary from main building)
- Gallery exhibitions on Brooklyn and New York history
- The Shop at CBH — Brooklyn-inspired gifts, publications, and souvenirs
- Free BPL library card registration (apply at bklynlibrary.org/card)
- Reference and genealogy research assistance
- Access to BPL digital collections: Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, NOVELny
🎸 Programs
- CBH Talks — regular author talks and public lectures on Brooklyn and New York history
- Exhibition programming: 'Centering Collections: Recent Work at CBH' (July 6, 2026 – Feb 5, 2027)
- Community history workshops and participatory programs
- Virtual and in-person events reaching all BPL branches
- CBH membership and donor support programs
📍 Nearby Libraries in Brooklyn
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Center for Brooklyn History open to the general public, or do I need an appointment?
The Center for Brooklyn History is fully open to the public — no appointment needed for the reading areas, gallery exhibitions, and public events. Hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., closed Sunday. The second-floor Othmer Library (archival collections) has separate hours (Tuesday–Saturday) and may require a research appointment; check bklynlibrary.org for current Othmer hours.
What is the history of the building at 128 Pierrepont Street?
The building was designed in the Romanesque Revival style by architect George B. Post and completed in 1890. It originally housed the Long Island Historical Society, then the Brooklyn Historical Society for nearly 140 years. After the Brooklyn Historical Society merged with Brooklyn Public Library in 2020 to form CBH, the building underwent a major renovation and reopened with expanded public spaces and hours.
What happened to the Brooklyn Historical Society, and how does it relate to CBH?
In 2020, Brooklyn Historical Society (founded 1863) and Brooklyn Public Library formally merged to create the Center for Brooklyn History. The combined institution unified over 157 years of materials from both organizations into what is described as the most expansive Brooklyn history catalogue in the world. The Brooklyn Historical Society name is retired; CBH is now a department of Brooklyn Public Library.
Do I need a library card to visit CBH or use the research collections?
No card is needed to enter the building, attend public events, or visit the gallery exhibitions. A free BPL library card is required to borrow materials and access BPL's digital collections (Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, NOVELny). Cards can be obtained at bklynlibrary.org/card or in person at CBH.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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