Take A Walking Tour Through Walt Whitman’s Brooklyn Heights
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS – In honor of the 199th anniversary of Walt Whitman’s birth (May 31, 1819), The Walt Whitman Project and St. Francis College are hosting a reception and walking tour of Brooklyn Heights sites that the poet frequented.
Follow the steps of the Leaves of Grass writer and visit locations significant to Whitman‘s life as some of his celebrated poetry and prose are read aloud. An American Opera Projects singer will also perform music inspired by Whitman.
Some of the tour stops include:
- Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street
- Rome Brothers Print Shop (where the first edition of Leaves of Grass was printed in 1855), southwest corner of Fulton & Cranberry Street (Cadman Plaza West)
- Brooklyn Daily Eagle office (Whitman worked as an editor at the newspaper from March 1846 to January 1848)
Late last year, a coalition called on the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate 99 Ryerson Street, a former residence of Whitman’s, as a city landmark. Whitman lived in Brooklyn for 28 years, changing residences frequently. While he only lived at 99 Ryerson Street, located near the Brooklyn Navy Yard, for a few months in 1855, members of the coalition say Whitman completed and first published Leaves of Grass while at this address.
The Artistic Administrator of The Walt Whitman Project, Greg Trupiano, will lead the walking tour. Should it rain, a virtual tour will take place instead at St. Francis College’s Callahan Center.
Walt Whitman’s Brooklyn Heights
Thursday, May 31, 5:30pm reception/6pm walking tour begins
St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights
Free, the tour is limited to 30 participants. Reservations required.
Email whitmanpro@aol.com or call 347.513.0255 to reserve a spot.
