Gertrude Ryder Bennett was born at the dawn of the 20th century in a Brooklyn quite different from the one we know today. At the time, Brooklyn was still a place with farmhouses and a close-knit community. As Gertrude grew up, Brooklyn rapidly transformed through urban development. Her mother, Nellie Mae, reminded her to cherish the disappearing sounds and sights of her childhood. Gertrude was a woman of many talents and accomplishments. In 1926, she graduated from New York University with a teaching degree like her mother and grandmother. She was a writer, a poet, and an artist. Her most significant legacy lies in her written works, poems, and books that offer glimpses into the past. Her books provide poignant recollections of living in a historic landmark and transport readers back to a forgotten era in Brooklyn. Gertrude's deep-rooted love for history and family inspired her to capture the essence of demolished family homes through her art. These watercolors, painted by Gertrude in the early 1970s, were based on historical photographs, written descriptions, and her childhood memories. Disappearing Brooklyn explores the serene and beautiful Brooklyn during the first half of the 20th century.

Gertrude Ryder Bennett's Disappearing Brooklyn

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