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January 19, 2004 21:22:10
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History of Bedford-Stuyvesant
Named after the Duke of Bedford and the town of Stuyvesant (namesake of New Amsterdam Governor, Peter Stuyvesant), the area was originally part of the land purchased by the Dutch in the 1640s. This farmland turned residential after the American Revolution. The area was originally comprised of two distinct sections with two separate histories. Bedford was a modest Dutch village established in 1663, while Stuyvesant was an upscale community built in the 1890s, which boasted lavishly designed structures, in the style of London's Bloomsbury Square. In 1835, a portion of Stuyvesant was sold, thus combining the two, to form Bedford-Stuyvesant. Over the years, this area has seen several declines. More recently, ongoing renovation has resulted in the restoration of many of the historic brownstones.
Served by Community District 3
Zip Codes: 11216, 11221
Claims to Fame:
Stuyvesant Heights Historic District, designated as such in 1971, combining many different types of classic architecture, is characteristic of Brooklyn's tree-lined brownstone neighborhoods.
Bedford-Stuyvesant is home to several historic churches, among them The Bridge Street African Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church (273 Stuyvesant Street), built in 1818, and The Siloam Presbyterian Church (260 Jefferson Avenue), once a haven for slaves who fled north.
The Billie Holiday Theater (1368 Fulton Street) is an area treasure where music, from jazz to gospel, permeates the air.
Sultry songstress Lena Horne lived in the area for a time.
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