Commemorate the 241st Anniversary Of The Battle Of Brooklyn
On August 27, 1776, British troops advanced towards Brooklyn Heights, where the American soldier encampment was located. For those familiar with the history of The Battle of Brooklyn (referred to at times as The Battle of Long Island and The Battle of Brooklyn Heights), the outcome was a British victory.
Over 1,000 Americans were either killed or captured, and the British would control Brooklyn and Manhattan for almost seven years.
Even though we lost the battle, we won the war. And it’s that time of year to commemorate our revolutionary history with more than a week of events throughout the borough.
From war reenactments, to museum exhibitions, to walking tours, be sure to get involved in the myriad of events available. Many of the events are free.
Below is a list of commemorative happenings. For more details, visit the Battle Week section of the Old Stone House website. Enjoy your history!
Old Stone House: Witness to War—An Exhibition Exploring the Battle of Brooklyn and the Occupation, 1776-1783
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-4pm
Where: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd Street (between 4th & 5th Avenues), Park Slope
What: The Old Stone House’s permanent, self-directed exhibition about the Battle of Brooklyn. Take a journey through Revolutionary era Brooklyn from 1776-1783. Visitors explore ten themed areas to learn the history and consider how war impacted the community, what choices citizens had to make at the time, battle strategies, and what makes these issues relevant today.
Thomas Paine and the Flame of Revolution: A Talk by Ward Regan, Presented with Think Olio
When: Thursday, August 17, 7:30pm-9pm
Where: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd Street (between 4th & 5th Avenues), Park Slope
What: Kicking off Battle Week at the Old Stone House is this discussion on Thomas Paine by historian Ward Regan. The discussion will cover Paine’s life and writing during the end of the eighteenth century and focus on the integral role he played, not only in the American Revolution, but in the creation of an “American” political ideology.
How Much: Reservations $15 (beer sponsored by The Gate)
Colonial Day at Fort Greene Park
When: Saturday, August 19, 10am–3pm
Where: Fort Greene Park, Visitor’s Center, Fort Greene
What: Fort Greene Park is hosting a Colonial Day featuring colonial cooking and activities! Fort Putnam Redoubt (beside the Visitor’s Center) will present cooking demonstrations from colonial times, such as bread making, spit cooking, and Dutch oven cooking. Play colonial games, take a picture by a wagon, visit a Revolutionary War Colonel’s tent, and write a letter with a feather quill and ink. There will also be readings of Selene Castrovilla’s children’s books about the Battle of Brooklyn and the American Revolution from 11am to 2pm.
Battle of Brooklyn Monuments Tour
When: Sunday, August 20, 11am-12pm
Where: Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Avenue (near Empire Boulevard), Prospect-Lefferts Gardens
What: Celebrate Prospect Park’s 150th anniversary and attend a guided tour hosted by the Prospect Park Alliance. The tour starts at the Lefferts Historic House and heads down East Drive, where attendees will see some of Prospect Park’s Revolutionary War monuments.
How Much: Tickets $10
Maryland 400 Remembrance Ceremony
When: Sunday, August 20, 12pm–2pm
Where: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd Street (between 4th & 5th Avenues), Park Slope
What: A reading of the names of the Maryland 400 who made their heroic stand at the site of the Old Stone House during the Battle of Brooklyn and ensured the survival of Washington’s troops. Presented with the Michael A. Rawley American Legion Post.
Gowanus Dredgers Battle Paddle
When: Wednesday, August 23, 6pm-8pm
Where: Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club, 165 2nd Street (near Bond Street), Gowanus
What: The Gowanus Dredgers host a canoe tour of the famous Battle of Brooklyn escape route.
Battle of Brooklyn Neighborhood Walk
When: Friday, August 25, 6pm–9pm
Where: Meet at Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park (NW corner), Park Slope
What: A walk through the Battle past of Prospect Park and the Park Slope neighborhood led by Old Stone House Board Member and Hunter College Archaeology Professor William J. Parry. Wear comfortable shoes.
How Much: Tickets $12/$10 OSH members; includes light refreshments. Advance tickets recommended.
Annual Tribute To The Prison Ships Martyrs
When: Saturday, August 26, 10am-11:30am
Where: Fort Greene Park, Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, Fort Greene
What: The Society of Old Brooklynites hosts the 109th annual memorial tribute to the American Revolution’s Prison Ship Martyrs in front of the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument.
Battle of Brooklyn: Tales and Tunes and Tastings
When: Saturday, August 26, 7pm–10pm
Where: The Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street (at 5th Avenue), Greenwood
What: Experience what life was like during the American Revolution with dance demonstrations, music, stories of battles won and lost, and 18th-century food samplings. The songwriting duo, Charming Disaster, will perform musical interludes.
How Much: Tickets $25, $20 for Green-Wood and Brooklyn Historical Society members
Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration at The Green-Wood Cemetery
When: Sunday, August 27, 11am–3pm
Where: The Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street (at 5th Avenue), Greenwood
What: Green-Wood celebrates the Battle with its annual day of family-friendly events including American and British troop re-enactors, Revolutionary War-era music and cooking, a trolley tour (sold out), parade of flags, demonstrations of artillery, and more. See schedule of events below.
How Much: Free registration
11:00am – LIFE ON THE BATTLEFIELD: Meet soldiers, their horses, and famous colonial Americans. Historic re-enactors will demonstrate revolutionary weapons and tactics.
12:30pm – BATTLE OF BROOKLYN PARADE: Grab a Revolutionary regiment flag, wave it high, and march to Battle Hill with The Regimental Band of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Begins at the main gate.
1:15pm – COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY: Honor the spirit and heroes of the Battle of Brooklyn at this commemoration on Battle Hill, overlooking New York Harbor.