Brooklyn Historical Society To Honor the Offensends

January 26, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — The Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS) will honor Janet and David Offensend at BHS’s eighth annual Library Dinner. Ron Chernow, distinguished commentator on politics, business, and finance, will speak at the dinner.

The Brooklyn Historical Society will host its eighth annual Library Dinner, a benefit celebrating Brooklyn Historical Society’s Othmer Library, on March 7. The dinner is traditionally intimate, attended by only 100 people for cocktails and dinner, followed by a short talk by a renowned historian and an award presentation to the honoree.

Last year, BHS raised more than $200,000 at this dinner. Funds raised are used to support the collections of the Othmer Library and Archive.

The 2012 honorees are Janet and David Offensend, who during the past 30 years have generously devoted themselves to a wide range of Brooklyn organizations. Previous honorees include John and Diana Herzog, Alan Fishman, William Coleman, Jane and David Walentas, Robert and Martha Rubin, Steve Hindy and Milton Glaser.

Nationally acclaimed author Ron Chernow will speak about George Washington at this year’s dinner. Carol Berkin, author of Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for American Independence, spoke at last year’s Library Dinner.

In past years, attendees to the Library Dinner have been treated to the wit and wisdom of many renowned speakers including: Taylor Branch, best-selling author of Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize; David McCullough, author of John Adams and 1776; Frank McCourt, author of Angela’s Ashes; Robert Caro, author of The Power Broker; and Annette Gordon Reed, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy.

This event has extremely limited seating. Ticket prices start at $2,500 for two. For additional information or to purchase a ticket, contact Taïna Sanon, development coordinator, at (347) 381-3705 or e-mail [email protected].

Housed in a magnificent landmark building in Brooklyn Heights designed by George Post in 1878, the Brooklyn Historical Society maintains an important collection of archival documents, photographs, maps, books, artifacts, and paintings relating to national and local history.