Brooklyn Friends School celebrates ‘150 Years of Light’
A blowout celebration held at the Brooklyn Historical Society on Jan. 29 honored the 150th anniversary of Brooklyn Friends School (BFS). In attendance at the reception and historical exhibit (with music provided by the Middle School Chamber Orchestra) were decades of alumni, joining former and current instructors, students and parents.
BFS, located in Downtown Brooklyn, was founded in the Quaker tradition in 1867. The motion to start the school was passed two weeks after John Roebling was given his commission to build the Brooklyn Bridge, Head of School Dr. Larry Weiss told the large crowd.
Weiss, a longtime student and teacher of history, drew connections between earlier generations at BFS and the school today, as illustrated by the many antique photos researchers uncovered in the archives while preparing for the sesquicentennial exhibition. Despite the numerous changes in political, social and economic conditions, Quaker values live on, Weiss said.