New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-06
A HISTORIC BUILDING.
TO TEAR DOWN THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE.
IT'S HISTORY FOR HALE CENTURY-A NEW AND

ITS HISTORY FOR HALF A CENTURY-A NEW AND
GREATER INSTITUTE TO BE BUILT.
The Oldest building in the city of Importance de-
voted TO public uses is about to be demolished ana
pass out OF actual existence after half century OF
occupation for It's present uses. This Is the gray
granite structure I'm Westinghouse long known as the
Brooklyn Institute formerly the Brooklyn Lyeeum)'
II antedates the City Hall and Courthouse Is Ouer
than the Academy Of Music and Plymouth Church' anu
ranks among the oldest buildings OF any sort In the
city, In fact il is almost old as the city ITSELF
having been begun in the year one of the municipal
history of Brooklyn 1t in 1884 that the village
became a CITY, and at once a great advance IN the way
OF public institutions made. Up to that time ue
principal village building had been the Apprentices
Library edifce at Henry and Cranberry ss' the COT
nerstone Of which had been laid by the Marquis de
LAFAYETTE upon the occasion OF his return TO TINS co
try In 1926. The incident was made great military
pageant for the time, and drew spectators from ne
New York side Of the river.
Thin AnnrentIces, Library was organized in 1923 by
number Of the leading residents Of the town. and they
formed an association, opened library and reading
room established savings bank and set on 1901 o
debating society," What was fine oulldlhg LOT inc
time was constructed after the Fourth Of July cele
braton at the cornerstone laying graced by the pres
ence OF the friend Of Washington. Tie village uuS
tees held their meetings III the hall OF the As'ocla-
nn Building the Postofce occupied part Of 1t, and
IL became the centre of the interests of the growing
town. the greater part Of which lay between eaiius-
ST. and the ferry with another nucleus about te Olu
Dutch Church east OF the present civ Han DC
tween the two portions extended farms StleU.mh9
over the Heights. down TO Network Bay on ono nan"
and toward the Walldbout on the other Inc -tp'
prentlces' Library filed the field Of public ihsutn-
lion for n time but after the city Incorporated
something Of a more important character was set on
foot This was the Brooklyn Lyceum. ana IL WIS
formed for the purpose Of having Lectures deVeVu vi
popular and scientific subjects.
In 1885 the building now known as the BrooKNh
Institute was begun in Westinghouse. near CohcoNt
st. solid granite WALL four feet thick WIN mo"o-
thic columns twcnty-six feet tall. forms the irPht
and the rear and side walls are of brick ~ 10
four stories in height and solidly ana sun
,tautIally built The cost with the site "''s
s35 900 This building contains a great nan
seating 1900, occupying two hoorS' WI"
smaller rooms on the first and fourth ho"is'
About the time IL was built the city purchaser inc
Apprentices Library Building, as more roohi "u'
needed for the Aldermen and courts after inc "'op
ton Of complicated city government ana inc II,
brary wa, packed away The Lyceum lecture haii
became place Of popular resort ana the en,e
proved successful until the palc OF 1887 depreci
ated the property and the money was not forthcoming
10 nay for the building and the mortgage upon IL was
foreclOscd. ,
Among the men interested In the Apprentices
Library had been Augustus Graham, wealthy anu
large hearted resident Of the dty. lie conceived o
idea OF revivlng II In the Lyccum Building anu pur
chased the latter for $4,000 in 1910. lie securcu
the cooperation Of number OF other puplc sp.ieu
men In his scheme. and In 1543 the BrnohHh l"S'i
tute was chartered Its scope was broad one anu
II provided for the maintenance Of library ree W
clerks and apprentices, for public lectures ior III
sUctlOn in art and for forming collections Oh usei
articles After the enterprise was well estao7hed
in 1913, Mr.. Graham presented the building 10 u'e
Institute free OF debt. In his will, when was Pro-
bated In 1851 he endowed the Institute with the sum
of S27 900
Mr. Graham had a curious career. Ills real halo
was not Graham and all,<lugh he lived WIN man
who passed az his brother John Graham ana Wou'a
who passed their sister, they were not lcH'ed al
all. Tie two men successful IN business anu
devoted much money TO beneicent objects Inc no'o
for Aged and INDECENT Females, better known as Ile
Graham Institution. founded by tlen ana they
gave 10 other charities The secrets OF their lives
were never disclosed.
The Institute had Aounshing career ior about
fifteen after Its incorporation ana many noted