During the month of March, New Canaan Library celebrates “One Author New Canaan” and the literary works of award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson with programming that supports, and honors, themes found throughout her work. A great deal of Jacqueline Woodson’s novels take place against the backdrop of Brooklyn. Join professor Malka Simon, Ph.D. for an exploration of the architecture of Brooklyn on Wednesday, March 3, at 7 PM EST. Please register at newcananlibrary.org; Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

The borough of Brooklyn is often the setting of Jacqueline Woodson’s stories, but what does that setting look like? Professor Malka Simon, PhD, will offer a fascinating examination of the diverse architecture of Brooklyn, examining a variety of neighborhoods and buildings across the borough and considering the history of and meaning behind Brooklyn’s evolving landscapes. Some of the topics she will raise and discuss include what the built environment can tell us about the people who settled and lived their lives in Brooklyn, and how the structures of the borough reflect social meaning, and the changing nature of Brooklyn over time.
Malka Simon is an architectural historian specializing in modern architecture and urban development in the United States and Europe. She teaches courses at Brooklyn College on the history of architecture and urban design, and on New York City’s architectural development. Her research examines Brooklyn’s industrial landscapes of the early twentieth century and considers the intersections between architectural landscape and social history. She is currently working on a project that frames Brooklyn’s industrial architecture within the broader context of New York City’s outer borough landscapes. Ms. Simon holds a Ph.D. from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University.