New Tour Explores History Of The Brooklyn Brownstone

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Ever wonder exactly how Brooklyn's rows of beloved brownstones came to be?

A new event by Untapped Cities will bring one of the authors of New York's "row house bible" — yes, there is such a thing — to unveil the history behind one of the city's most iconic architectural movements.

Patrick Ciccone, the co-author of a newly updated volume of "Bricks & Brownstones," will come to the Brooklyn Historical Society to dive into the brownstone we all know and love, revealing its beginnings as far back as the late 1800s and how it is still changing to this day.

"Bricks & Brownstones" was first published in 1972 and is the only volume that examines the New York City row house's architectural styles and changes over the years, according to the book's description.

But the book itself also became part of the brownstone's history when it sparked a revival of row house architecture in the last five decades.

The newest edition, released in 2003 by Ciccone and three others, recounts the most updated history of the row house.

"This edition revisits the classic comprehensively, with an updated text and additional chapters, and an abundance of specially commissioned color photography," the description reads. "It offers to an eager audience the long-awaited re-issue of the landmark volume in a brilliant new form."

The talk with Untapped Cities, scheduled for Nov. 12, will include a presentation by Ciccone followed by a conversation contextualizing the last five decades of brownstones with architectural historian Fran Leadon, organizers said.

The event is open to the organization's "insiders" for free and will cost $10 for members of the public. Registration for the talk opened on Tuesday.

It will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is reserved on a first come, first served basis. To find out more about how to reserve a spot click here.