Peek Inside Bed-Stuy's Historic Brownstones In Annual Home Tour

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — Neighbors in Bed-Stuy hoping to take a peek inside some of the neighborhood's most interesting homes are in luck.

Nonprofit Brownstoners of Bedford Stuyvesant are getting ready to bring back their annual home tour later this month, offering virtual "VIP access" to five homes while raising money for local scholarships.

The home tour, in its 43rd year, will focus this year on a “Preserving Our Legacy, While Embracing Our Future” theme aimed at paying homage to the revitalization of the brownstone community initiated by neighbors, organizers said.

“The idea for the House Tour was born out of the desire to reintroduce Bedford-Stuyvesant as a viable place to live, work, own a business, and raise a family,” said Brenda Fryson, one of the original founders of The Brownstoners.

“Today The Brownstoners continue to revitalize the community through strong initiatives that focus on education, economic development, housing, and community activism," she added, noting a tax lien outreach project, voter registration drives and other initiatives.

Those interested can buy a ticket for $20 on Eventbrite to get unlimited viewing of the virtual tour video Oct. 16 through 31.

The proceeds from the fundraiser go to the Bernard McDonald/George Glee Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, named for two founding members of the Brownstoners organization. So far, the fund has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to Boys and Girls High School college bound graduates, organizers said.

“Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the leadership of the Brownstoners remain committed to supporting local students and their families who have been academically and financially impacted,” House Tour Chair Marguerita Fletcher said.

Find out more on the Brownstoners website or on the Eventbrite page.