The historic eagle sculpture adorning Brooklyn Public Library's main lobby needs a name, and Brooklynites can give their input on what it should be.
In October, BPL launched a naming contest, and since then more than 300 suggestions from all over Brooklyn, and even as far as Los Angeles and Montreal, have poured in. The library revealed on Wednesday the five finalists. Here they are:
- Ingersoll -- named after Borough President Raymond Ingersoll, who was responsible for getting the Central Library built after the initial construction project failed due to lack of funding;
- Winged Wonder -- inspired by the inscription on the exterior of the central branch which reads: "Here are enshrined the longing of great hearts and noble things that tower above the tide, the magic word that winged wonder starts, the garnered wisdom that never dies;"
- Dodger -- in honor of Brooklyn's iconic baseball team;
- Harmony -- to represent the different voices coming together as a new voice that reflects everyone — which is something Brooklyn and our country must stand for;
- Emily-- in honor of Emily Roebling, engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Eagle originally nested atop the Washington Street headquarters of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper. Following the demolition of the newspaper's building in 1955, the sculpture was donated to the Brooklyn Historical Society. In 1997, the organization loaned the sculpture to the library. Last summer, BHS officially gifted the Eagle to BPL, where it now has its permanent home.
"Brooklyn Historical Society is pleased to formally gift the Brooklyn Daily Eagle sculpture to the Brooklyn Public Library," said Deborah Schwartz, president of BHS. "We've been proud to steward the care of this special object at many points in its long life, and now we're pleased to see it settle permanently into its home at Grand Army Plaza. This gift ensures the statue will be enjoyed by the greater Brooklyn community for generations to come."
Brooklynites have until Friday, December 14, to submit their vote.
