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Brooklyn Sanitary Fair

American Art

During the Civil War, fairs were organized by local charities and women’s organizations in coordination with the United States Sanitary Commission to raise money for clothing, food, medical supplies, and other provisions for the Union Army. The highly successful Brooklyn Sanitary Fair, hosted at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, then on Montague Street, raised funds through special events such as the Calico Ball and ongoing attractions including moving dioramas (a precursor to motion pictures), live music, a soda bar, and a Museum of Arts, Relics, and Curiosities.

This interior view of the Brooklyn Academy of Music depicts the space as it appeared from the second-story balcony.
PUBLISHER A. Brown & Co.
MEDIUM Lithograph on wove paper
  • Place Made: United States
  • DATES 1864
    DIMENSIONS sheet: 14 1/16 x 16 1/4 in. (35.7 x 41.2 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS American Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 22.1908
    CREDIT LINE Bequest of Samuel E. Haslett
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Knickerbocker Hall
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION A. Brown & Co.. Brooklyn Sanitary Fair, 1864. Lithograph on wove paper, sheet: 14 1/16 x 16 1/4 in. (35.7 x 41.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Samuel E. Haslett, 22.1908 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1908_PS2.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 22.1908_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2008
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