Voices From the Past

Throughout our talk with Marcia Ely at the Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS) and our tour of the Waterfront exhibit at BHS in DUMBO there seemed to be a running theme; how can BHS reinterpret the past to include the stories of those who were historically typically not heard? Currently, BHS is working to expand its audience as well as the diversity of voices heard throughout its exhibits, collections, and public programs.

I was particularly impressed with how this theme spilled over into the Waterfront exhibit. It is apparent that the exhibit was aimed at bringing voices from the past into the present in relevant ways. For instance, the wall of artifacts found from the landfill tell a story of the people who once worked within this industrial hub. The graffiti or street art found on the shutters reflect those who often use tagging as a way to be heard within a socio-political backdrop. Once more, the interactives allow people today to listen to, engage with, or act out stories from a diverse set of people who made up the Brooklyn landscape. Therefore, the exhibit not only tells the story of those who once lived and worked in the area, it uses material culture so that the contemporary audience can interact with these stories in personal ways; thus, keeping Brooklyn’s rich history relevant to people today.