Brooklyn Bridge Turns 125
By Marco Lombardini · May 13, 2008
Happy Birthday to the Brooklyn bridge! If you have never walked over the bridge this would be a great time to experience history, majestic views, and take part of a great New York event.
A weekend of cultural programs in honor of the Brooklyn Bridge 125th Birthday Celebration continues with a Brooklyn Bridge Film Series, a bicycle Tour de Brooklyn, enlightening lectures, guided tours and more. Some of the featured events include:
- The Brooklyn Bridge Film Series: The series will take place at several venues in Brooklyn and Manhattan and will kick off at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 23 at the Empire- Fulton Ferry State Park with Enchanted and It Happened in Brooklyn, with the support of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. Both feature films will be preceded by Panorama from the Tower of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhatta, two historical shorts with live musical accompaniment by Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton. Across the bridge on Friday night at 7:00 pm, Tribeca Cinemas will feature Mo’ Better Blues while the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) will host a viewing of the 1980 Ken Burns’ documentary Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, May 24 at 4:30 pm.
- Lectures and Readings: The Brooklyn Historical Society and Manhattan’s Surrogate’s Court will host a series of lectures and children’s readings throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday starting at 1:00 pm. Sponsored by several New York City cultural institutions, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, Brooklyn Book Festival, the Roebling Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archaeology (RCSIA), and the Aesthetic Realism Foundation, the lectures will explore the history of the Brooklyn Bridge and the genius behind its design.
- New Pedestrian Entrance: To prepare for its birthday bash, the Brooklyn pedestrian entrance will get a makeover from the Dumbo Business Improvement District, including newly designed signage and energy efficient lighting.
- Telectroscope Connection: The Telectroscope will be on the Fulton Ferry Pier allowing people in London – 3,500 miles away – to help fete the Bridge, thanks to Tiscali UK and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
- Tours: Volunteers with The American Society of Civil Engineers and RCSIA will provide information about the Bridge. They will be located on the Bridge from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Several guided tours will also be given.
- Bike “Tour de Brooklyn”: The morning of Sunday, May 25, the Tour de Brooklyn bike ride, will lead hundreds of bicyclists around several of Brooklyn’s diverse neighborhoods.
- Various Special Events: Dozens of participating cultural institutions and attractions throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan will also offer special rates, programs, and packages to commemorate this milestone anniversary.



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