Throughout the history of Brooklyn, first responders—our police officers, firefighters, medics and other protectors—have consistently helped millions of Brooklynites in moments of crisis. The impact of everyday people putting their lives on the line for their fellow citizens is a testament to the tenacity and comradery of this great borough.
Our exhibit, Badges of Honor: Brooklyn’s Protectors, highlighting the good work that is done by every day Brooklynites, brings together items from the Brooklyn Collection’s photographs, prints and ephemera collection along with 21 on-loan badges belonging to Brooklyn native, Art Sinai. The exhibit contains badges that span a century (1850 – 1950) selected from a variety of neighborhoods as well as occupations such as beach patrol, sheriffs and firefighters.
Art Sinai was raised in East New York, Crown Heights and Sheepshead Bay. After graduating from Brooklyn College in 1961, he started his law enforcement career as a treasury agent. In 1977 at the age of 38 he was appointed to the Treasury Department as a deputy assistant secretary. A year later, after being gifted a badge by a classmate, Mr. Sinai started his collection. This led to a lifelong passion for collection badges, which now includes up to 8,000 federal, state, city, local and railroad badges. It also includes the largest collection of historic humane law enforcement badges in the world. Having bought, sold and traded badges for over 50 years, some of the most thrilling finds are rare badges from Brooklyn.
We’re pleased to announce that Mr. Sinai is also donating a portion of his collection to the Brooklyn Collection.
Everyone has the potential to be someone’s hero. By featuring the good work done by Brooklyn’s protectors, we aim to shine a light on the everyday members of our community, who in times of trouble take on the mantle.
Preview the Exhibit
