Education at CBH

The Center for Brooklyn History education department connects students, educators, and archivists in New York City and beyond to unique collections, programs, and events that bring the history of Brooklyn to life.

For students

We make the archive a more inclusive place for students of all backgrounds by giving them the agency to engage and interrogate collections through a culturally responsive lens. By broadening the definition of researcher, students are given access to primary sources while developing their critical research skills. Our signature partnership program, Brooklyn Connections, offers fourth through twelfth grade classes rare access to original archival materials while students complete customized, standards-based projects.

Our work with students extends beyond the school day to our youth internship program that assists youth college, career, and employment readiness skills.

And, beginning in 2021, CBH is thrilled to be the home of New York City History Day.

For educators

Every school year, we offer a robust array of professional development workshops where guest speakers engage educators in fascinating content knowledge while our team models lesson plans and activities that transfer to any classroom. CBH Education is a New York State-certified provider of Continuing Teacher and Leadership Education (CTLE) credit and ASPDP “P” credits. Our events introduce educators to New York City cultural institutions that can support their students with class visits and field trips. Educators can access our customized lesson plans, research guides, and more by visiting our educator resources page and our curriculum library.

For archivists

CBH Education encourages archivists and archives educators to replicate and adapt our model in their own communities. We make our resources and teaching strategies openly available for archivists to access. Our team can be found speaking at conferences and publishing widely to promote the work we do to the archival community. For more information about our resources for archivists, please contact us.

Contact us

For Brooklyn Connections, Professional Development Opportunities, or General Inquiries

For New York City History Day

CBH Education is generously supported by The Morris and Alma Schapiro Fund, The Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust, The Hearst Foundation, Epstein Teicher Philanthropies, The Michael Tuch Foundation, The Nissan Foundation, National Grid Foundation, The Pine Tree Foundation, Con Edison, and Festa Family.

Upcoming Events

It's Never Too Late - Take the First Step Towards Your Future!

Tue, May 20 6:30pm
Pacific Library

adult learning career community partner

Take the First Step Towards Your Future - Register for an Info Session Today!

Do you want to earn your High School Equivalency diploma to open up new opportunities for college, certification, or a new career? The Brooklyn Public Library Adult Learning Program offers different pathways to…

Early Childhood Symposium 2025: Climate Justice in Early Childhood with Climate Families NYC (CTLE 1.5)

Tue, May 20 7:00pm
Virtual

climate and the environment CTLE early literacy

(This session is for early childhood educators and caregivers)

Join us for BPL's 7th Annual Early Childhood Symposium. This year we will explore Climate Justice through a series of virtual and in-person programs for young children, early childhood educators, and parents throughout May 2025…

CBH Talk | Voices from the Past: Tracing Black Lineage and the Power of Genealogy

Wed, May 21 6:30pm
Center for Brooklyn History

BPL Presents Center for Brooklyn History conversations

Being the narrators and experts of our own pasts comes with unique challenges for Black Americans. What we know about our families matters—and everyone deserves the ability to honor their ancestors’ stories. 

CBH’s new exhibition, Trace/s, explores the crucial…

Literacy Volunteer Information Session

Thu, May 22 5:00pm
Bedford Learning Center

adult learning career computer basics

Looking for a way to help out in your community?

CBH Talk | Five Years After George Floyd: The Fight Today

Thu, May 22 6:30pm
Center for Brooklyn History

anti-racism BPL Presents Center for Brooklyn History

On May 25, 2020, the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin stunned the nation and ignited a global uprising. 

As we mark the fifth anniversary of that tragic day, CBH brings together three leading voices to examine the protests, their…

Trace/s Exhibition Tour

Fri, May 23 3:00pm
Center for Brooklyn History

brooklyn history Center for Brooklyn History exhibitions

Come for a free curator-guided tour of the exhibition Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn.

Visitors will get an in-depth tour of the artwork and archival documents that make up the heart of this exhibition, and will get to explore the historical…

Trace/s Exhibition Tour

Fri, May 30 3:00pm
Center for Brooklyn History

brooklyn history Center for Brooklyn History exhibitions

Come for a free curator-guided tour of the exhibition Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn.

Visitors will get an in-depth tour of the artwork and archival documents that make up the heart of this exhibition, and will get to explore the historical…

Environmental Injustice: Race, Class, and Toxic Inequality | The Path to Today

Wed, Jun 4 6:30pm
Center for Brooklyn History

anti-racism BPL Presents Center for Brooklyn History

Join us for the first event in a three-part series exploring the intersection of racial inequality and the environment. Part 1 delves into the systemic roots of environmental racism and confronts a critical question: Why are communities of color and low-wealth populations…

Trace/s Exhibition Tour

Fri, Jun 6 3:00pm
Center for Brooklyn History

brooklyn history Center for Brooklyn History exhibitions

Come for a free curator-guided tour of the exhibition Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn.

Visitors will get an in-depth tour of the artwork and archival documents that make up the heart of this exhibition, and will get to explore the historical…

CBH Talk | Deborah Archer and James Forman Discuss “Dividing Lines”

Mon, Jun 9 6:30pm
Center for Brooklyn History

author talks book discussion BPL Presents

In her new book, Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality, acclaimed scholar and ACLU President Deborah Archer shows how seemingly innocuous transit planning functions – the development of roads, sidewalks, dividers, and other infrastructures –…

Education News from the Center for Brooklyn History

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Drop us a line!

You can contact us at cbheducation@bklynlibrary.org

 

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