Time in a Bottle

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Lifestyle

The bottle was on the top shelf of a little antique shop in the village of Menemsha on Martha's Vineyard. It was old and dirty - a soda or beer bottle.
On the clear glass, I could make out the embossed writing. “Henry Immen's Sons, 46 & 48 Commercial St, Greenpoint, LI”. That's what made me think. Greenpoint is in Brooklyn, Greenport is on Long Island. I had to check further.
I bought the bottle. Then I started to research. Henry Immen's Sons was a tavern and brewery on Commercial Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (which, geographically, happens to be on Long Island). Commercial Street was on the waterfront overlooking the East River and, what is now, Newtown Creek. The establishment had several, albeit similar, names from the late 1800's until it closed in 1912. Henry Immen's Sons was the name from 1885 to 1895.
Brooklyn became part of New York City on January 1, 1898. Previously, and when Henry Immen's Sons brewed from 1885 to 1895, Greenpoint was part of independent Brooklyn on Long Island.
Interesting what you can learn from an old bottle.

Comments

Dana Charlton

Welcome to my world, Ben! Collecting antique bottles and learning their history is energizing ~ your Henry Immen's Sons bottle is a great example!!

Submitted by GiancarloAnnese on Thu, 08/29/2013 - 07:24

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Giancarlo Annese

Interesting find! Back then Brooklyn (specifically the area of Williamsburg and Greenpoint) was one of the most vibrant brewing areas of the country with water being brought in by train from out on Long Island. At one point there were 45 breweries in Brooklyn producing as much as 10% of beer in the country.

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Thu, 08/29/2013 - 11:21

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I spent my summers as a youth in Chilmark, the town in which Menemsha was the little fishing port. I had summer jobs at the gas dock, Poole's Fish Market, and the Chilmark Chandlery. That little antique shop was originally an art gallery run by one of my mother's friends. She sold it to our across the street neighbor, Jane Slater, who runs the current shop. She is a dear family friend. Your blog brought back a flood of wonderful memories.

Submitted by Jeanne_Anne_Norton on Sat, 08/31/2013 - 07:32

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Jeanne Anne Norton

Fascinating history. Now you must continue your collection.

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