The Worklore exhibit will travel to Brooklyn branch libraries sequentially over a period of a year and a half. At the same time, The Brooklyn Historical Society opens a new core exhibition Brooklyn Works: 400 Years of Making a Living in Brooklyn. The research for this major exhibition included extensive research to discover personal stories of working in Brooklyn.

This work will continue in the branch libraries, as staff from both institutions as well as students from Brooklyn College collect oral histories and copies of photographs and documents from library-goers. Our goal is to continue to collect and preserve Brooklyn's rich history, encouraging Brooklynites today to think of themselves as the history makers of tomorrow. And now YOU too can add your story on this web site! Have you or other members of your family ever worked in Brooklyn? Tell us your story here.

Personal Story A
My whole family worked in Brooklyn. My grandmother was a cleaning lady in the Hotel Bossert back in the early 1900s. My aunt was a saleslady at Abraham and Straus on Fulton St. She had to wear a black uniform with a little white apron. My mother worked at a card factory and did waterpainting of the cards. She also worked at American Can Company. My g-g-grandfather was a shoemaker in downtown Brooklyn. My grandfather was a house painter also in the downtown area. His father before him was a wheelwright. . . . My uncle was a moving man. My father worked for the BMT from about 1919 until he retired in 1970. He repaired trolley cars. . . . I worked as an usherette in various movie houses in 1943 for 25 cents an hour -- twelve hours on Saturdays and Sundays. So you see, our family are born and bred Brooklynites.

Thoughts about Brooklyn: The wonderful open air train rides We rode to school on wooden trains where the conductor opened and closed the gates by hand and we were allowed to stand outside. Wonderful Days!

Personal Story B
My family roots are in Red Hook. My grandfather worked in Todd Shipyard in the mid-1930s right before WWII broke out, then he went overseas to fight. My grandmother worked for Shoer's Bakery(not sure if I spelled it correctly) on Van Brunt Street in Red Hook. My great-grandfather drove a horse & buggy delivery carriage for Larsen's Bakery in the early 1900's.

Thoughts about Brooklyn: Coming home to my roots is number one! Brooklyn fascinates me! I think of the diverse neighborhoods and cultures and businesses that meld into a beautiful mosaic. I think about the inspiration and motivation for me to do and be my best creatively and spiritually to continue to contribute to its character, strength and beauty, as my ancestors have a century before. Brooklyn has, and will always contribute to what is best about New York City and New York State!

Personal Story C
My mother and I worked for Rockwood Chocolate on Park Ave in Brooklyn. My mother worked there from about 1935 through 1960 and I worked there from 1947 through 1951. My mother was a purchasing agent and I was a burroughs biller.

Thoughts about Brooklyn: I loved it. As long as I live my heart will belong to Brooklyn. I now am retired and live in Florida, but I am sure to tell anyone who asks where i came from that I am proud to have been born and raised in Brooklyn the best of the five boroughs.

Personal Story D
My wife has taught in Brooklyn schools since 1967. I have taught at LIU Brooklyn since 1966.

Thoughts about Brooklyn: Movies. The Brooklyn accent, character, grit, determination, working class ethos, middle class ethic, ethnic variety, cultural pluralism, in a word resilience.