Brooklyn is rich in historical sites, including several important places associated with World War Two. Visit the Brooklyn Navy Yard, see Bush Terminal, and listen to the oral histories of women who went to work in hard hat jobs — Rosie the Riveter style — as the men shipped out to war.

1. Brooklyn Navy Yard Museum and Visitors Center

The Brooklyn Navy Yard played a pivotal role in American military history. Opened in 2011, the new Visitors Center here offers a glimpse into many surprising aspects of this shipyard's illustrious history — including the determined industriousness of the Brooklyn Navy Yard's huge workforce of women and men during World War 2. If you can, take a guided tour of the Navy Yard facility, which is huge.

 

Read about tours of the Brooklyn Navy Yard HospitalMore »

2. Brooklyn Historical Society (Brooklyn Heights)

The Brooklyn Historical Society joined forces with the Brooklyn Navy Yard to capture the memories of people who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War 2. Thanks to their efforts, visitors can take a fascinating trip into history.
 

Hear stories of women who took the place of men in hard hat jobs that needed doing as part of the war effort. They include Carmela Celardo Zuza (b 1924) who worked as a welder, Lucille Gerwitz Kolkin (1919 – 1997) who worked as ship fitter, and Ida Pollack (b 1922) and Sylvia Honigman Everitt (b 1921) both welders.

Contact the Brooklyn Historical Society to learn where and how to listen to these, and dozens more, interviews, and for information on other aspects of the involvement of Brooklyn residents in World War 2.More »

3. Brooklyn War Memorial in Cadman Plaza (Brooklyn Heights)

The Brooklyn War Memorial is a soaring mid-20th century sculptural dedication to the hard-won victory of Americans, and specifically those from Brooklyn, who fought in World War 2.

 

This monument is within easy walking distance of the Brooklyn Bridge and Borough Hall subway station.

Get directions and find out what's worth seeing.More »

4. Green-Wood Cemetery (Sunset Park)

A treasure trove of Brooklyn history, Green-Wood Cemetery is well worth a visit for World War 2 history buffs. Don't miss their Memorial Day event.More »

5. Bush Terminal (Sunset Park)

Bush Terminal was the place from which hundreds of thousands of troops shipped out to World War 2. It was also the port of departure for military supplies and equipment. Today it is the site of a burgeoning industrial park, and a brownfield clean up. It's not open to visitors, but one can imagine the buzz of activity during wartime at this vast, waterfront facility.More »

6. Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College was one of the educational engines in Brooklyn that helped New York City's influx of immigrants to get an education and rise to the middle class. When World War 2 broke out, Brooklyn College was, along with all institutions of higher education, deeply impacted.More »