Wesley Fagan: A Life in Pictures

Bed-Stuy resident Wesley Fagan was a jazz musician and the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s first African-American photography director.

Fagan began his career at the Navy Yard as a messenger, working his way up to supervisor of the Photographic Division, and over two decades of service, he shot dignitaries, famous ships and the tragic USS Constellation fire in 1960 which claimed 50 lives. When not behind the camera, Fagan was playing music—often alongside jazz legends in popular nightclubs. 

Fagan passed away last year at the age of 101. Wesley Fagan’s great American story, along with selections of his work are celebrated in an exhibit now on view at BLDG 92 of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 

For more information, visit http://bldg92.org/exhibitions/special-exhibits/.