Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn
Presented in recognition of New York City’s 400th anniversary
Center for Brooklyn History, Fransioli Gallery | January 30 –August 30, 2025
BROOKLYN, NY — Brooklyn Public Library’s Center for Brooklyn History (CBH) is proud to present Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn, an in-depth exhibition exploring the pervasive impact of slavery on Brooklyn’s past and present. Opening on January 30th and running through August, this powerful exhibition sheds light on the often-overlooked narratives of enslaved individuals in Kings County and the generational legacies of inequality.
"Brooklyn's history of slavery shapes the borough we live in today: its contours, its street names, its economy and culture,” said Dominique Jean-Louis, Chief Historian at the Center for Brooklyn History. “While this history is rooted in painful inequality, confronting these origins helps us to better understand our contemporary moment."
Trace/s explores how slavery shaped Brooklyn’s social, economic, and physical landscape, and delves into the art of exploring genealogy, tracing the complex web of ancestry through personal artifacts, historical documents, and the narratives that connect past to present.
The exhibition is anchored by large-scale portrait paintings reflecting two family histories: born and raised Brooklynite Mildred Jones, the living great-great-granddaughter of Samuel Anderson, who was born enslaved in Flatbush, Brooklyn; and John A. Lott, the nephew of Jeremiah Lott, to whom Anderson was enslaved. The portrait of Mildred Jones by artist Rusty Zimmerman of the Free Portrait Project was commissioned by CBH. CBH’s portrait of John A. Lott by Thomas Martin Jensen dates to 1880, offering a historical counterpoint to Jones’s contemporary representation.
Notable exhibition elements include archival documents, rare personal accounts from enslaved Brooklynites, and artwork that helps visitors visualize this period in Brooklyn’s development. The exhibition not only uncovers history but also, in partnership with the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society of New York, celebrates the work of family historians, researchers, and artists who trace their roots through this difficult past.
As a complement to the exhibition, free special programming, including genealogy workshops, panel discussions, learning opportunities for educators and students, and walking tours, will engage visitors in meaningful conversations about history, identity, and justice.
The exhibition is supported by the Dutch Culture USA FUTURE 400 program by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York, and by the Alvin and Fanny B. Thalheimer Foundation in memory of Bill Coleman.
“Dutch Culture USA is honored to support Trace/s at the Center for Brooklyn History,” said Pauline Genee, Head of Culture of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United States. “Four hundred years ago, the first Dutch settlers arrived in what is now New York City, and, soon after, established New Amsterdam and Breukelen/Brooklyn. Our cultural program FUTURE 400 centers a multitude of voices—Indigenous, African-American, Dutch, and others—who made up the vibrant tapestry that was New Amsterdam, and whose diversity continues to distinguish New York City to this day. Together with our partners FUTURE 400 endeavors to contribute to an expanding understanding of New York, with honesty and inclusivity. Trace/s adds to this narrative, highlighting the overlooked histories of enslaved individuals in New Amsterdam and New York City, and the legacy of inequality.”
Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn will be on view at the Fransioli Gallery at the Center for Brooklyn History. Admission is free. For more information about the exhibition and related programming, visit bklynlibrary.org/exhibitions/traces.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 60,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 60,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.