Nestled along a leafy stretch of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, sits a relic of a different age of New York City. With its ornate brick facade, soaring towers, and almost castle-like silhouette, it’s the kind of building that feels as though it belongs in another century — because, in many ways, it does.
First opened in 1886, the historic Girls’ High School has watched nearly 140 years of Brooklyn history unfold from its perch on Nostrand Avenue, welcoming generations of young women through its doors and shaping the lives of some remarkable New Yorkers.
Today, the landmark has taken on a new chapter as an adult education center, but its grand architecture and remarkable history remain. And for those curious about the stories held within its walls, a special guided tour is offering a rare opportunity to step inside and discover one of Brooklyn’s most beautiful historic buildings.
Architectural Splendor and a Legacy of Trailblazing Alumnae
Designed in the late 19th century as one of the city’s earliest public secondary schools, Girls’ High School stands out as a masterclass in civic architecture.
The structure seamlessly blends the pointed, dramatic flourishes of Victorian Gothic design with the grand proportions, mansard roofs, and classical accents of the French Second Empire style. Recognized for its singular contribution to Brooklyn’s urban fabric, the building holds designation as an individual New York City landmark and anchors the surrounding Bedford Historic District.
Behind its dramatic brick-and-terracotta exterior lies a record of academic excellence. The school nurtured an extraordinary roster of alumni who went on to break social, political, and artistic barriers nationwide:
- Shirley Chisholm: The pioneering politician who became the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first woman to mount a major-party campaign for the U.S. presidency.
- Lena Horne: The boundary-pushing vocalist, actress, and civil rights activist who refused to accept stereotypical roles in Hollywood.
- Betty Smith: The celebrated novelist whose beloved coming-of-age masterwork, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, drew directly on the sights and rhythms of her early neighborhood life.
- Roxie Roker: The accomplished stage and television actress best known for breaking ground on prime-time television in The Jeffersons.
Stepping Inside: The Community-Led Guided Tour
Organized by Thrive Bedstuy—a dedicated coalition of local residents fighting to preserve public assets and ensure neighborhood development honors community history—this event gives the public direct access to the school’s storied interior.
The tour arrives at a pivotal time for the site: Thrive Bedstuy and community advocates have been actively organizing to preserve the school complex’s adjacent parking lot as dedicated green public space, resisting recent pressures to convert the public land into private residential development.
- The Guide: The walking tour is led by local historian Morgan Munsey, renowned for deep-dive explorations into Central Brooklyn’s built environment.
- The Experience: Attendees will explore the building’s preserved corridors and architectural details while hearing about the institutional battles, educational philosophies, and local activism that defined its past and continue to shape its present.
Event Details and How to Attend
- Location: Girls’ High School, 475 Nostrand Avenue (at Halsey Street), Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
- Date & Schedule: Saturday, November 14
- Admission: Free to attend, with a suggested $10 donation directly supporting Thrive Bedstuy’s neighborhood preservation and public space initiatives.
- Registration & Age Restrictions: Advance registration is strictly required due to limited indoor capacity. The event is open exclusively to adults aged 18 and older.
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