Past Exhibits

In Our Own Words: Portraits of Brooklyn's Vietnam Veterans

With the use of oral histories, portraits, and personal artifacts this audio installation explores the impact of the Vietnam War on the lives of Brooklyn’s diverse residents, from the first person perspective. “Meeting” eight people who were touched by the Vietnam War, visitors are prompted to consider the on-going impact of the Vietnam War in the lives of Brooklynites, from their memories of the war to how it affects them today. 

From portrait to portrait, from person to person, from personal narrative to personal narrative, a meta-narrative slowly emerges in which we empathize with the stories of the men and women who confront the chaos of an historical period, and share their, memories, and understanding of the history through which they lived.

Sample audio clips can be heard on the Oral History page.

BHS offers educators free supplementary curriculum materials related to our In Our Own Words: Portraits of Brooklyn Vietnam Veterans exhibit.

Download the education material

Veteran Photography Exhibition 
Photographers:
Bernard Edelman
Leroy Henderson
Tony Velez

New York Times article 12/15/2007

In Our Own Words is made possible by the Nathan Cummings Foundation, Astoria Federal Savings, HBO and is in partnership with Brooklyn College.

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