During the walk, I came across the very buildings I was studying. but truthfully none of the studying came close to actually seeing the buildings in person. I had a first hand visual of these marvelous buildings in all their vast beauty. Surprisingly, I gained knowledge of buildings I hadn’t known about through my own research. Needless to say, there’s still much for me to learn about before this program comes to a close.
One of the few historic buildings/ houses we came across was the South Bushwick Reformed Church. Still vibrant with history and built in the Dutch colonial style, the church was completed in the year 1853 and named after the church’s first minister. Now 157 years later, the church still looks as magnificent. Any pedestrian living within the area can advocate for the almost forgotten building and say that block of Himrod Avenue would look almost naked without the structure there as a light of hope and classic Dutch style of building. Another building that looks just as good and desolate is the Ridgewood Masonic Temple. I couldn’t really find much on the structure but I’m pretty sure the building had some essential uses in the 1800’s.
Overall, the experience of walking along the avenue and seeing these buildings first hand was a fruitful one. I, typically, was left in awe as I came to understand more and more as the moments passed along. A very enlightening day in my opinion.
Kevin R., AUP