Commemorate The Battle Of Brooklyn Across The Borough
It was 239 years ago this month that our forefathers fought the British in the first major battle of the Revolutionary War, The Battle of Brooklyn. And even though we lost the battle, we won the war, so celebrate our revolutionary history with a week of events throughout the borough commemorating the historic battle.
Saturday, August 22, 10am
Prison Ships Martyrs Memorial Ceremony
Prison Ships Martyrs Monument, Fort Greene Park
Coordinated by the Society of Old Brooklynites, American Merchant Marine Association, and Navy Armed Guard.
Saturday, August 22, 1-4pm
Scavenger Battle!
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Center at BLDG 92, 63 Flushing Ave at Carlton Ave
Team up with family & friends for a day of trivia, gaming and historical fun. Follow “Brooklyn vs. Britain” pop culture clues in an interactive scavenger hunt, play our Battle Ship Memory Match game and have a tea party!
Sunday, August 23, 11am-1pm
Battle of Brooklyn Monuments Tour
Meet at Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park
Join the Prospect Park Alliance for a guided tour from the Lefferts Historic House down East Drive to view some of Prospect Park’s Revolutionary War Monuments. Hear accounts of the battle as remembered by Femmetie Lefferts and tour the home she built with her husband Pieter Lefferts. $3 suggested donation.
Sunday, August 23, 11:30am-1:30pm
Evergreens Cemetery Walking Tour
Meet at Evergreens Cemetery Main Gate, Bushwick Avenue and Conway Street
Evergreens Cemetery presents a walking tour of its revolutionary war-related sites.
Tuesday, August 25, 6pm & Saturday, August 29, 4pm
Battle of Brooklyn Neighborhood Walk
Meet at Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park, Northwest corner
Led by Old Stone House Board Member and Hunter College Archaeology Professor William J. Parry. $12 per person/$10 OSH members; includes light refreshments. Wear comfortable shoes. Advance tickets are recommended.
Wednesday, August 26, 6pm
Gowanus Dredgers Estuary Tour
2nd Avenue and 6th Street, at the Gowanus Canal
Canoe the Gowanus Canal and learn about the history of this infamous escape route for American soldiers during the Battle of Brooklyn.
Saturday, August 29, 12-2pm
Maryland 400 Remembrance Ceremony
Old Stone House, 336 3rd Avenue between 4th and 5th Avenues
Music, Color Guard & Salute, and a Reading of the Names.
Saturday, August 29, 1-5pm
Dramatic Reading of The Declaration of Independence
The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, Greater Ridgewood Historical Society
Hear the Declaration of Independence read the 18th century way. Learn about how it was written and the role it played during the Battle of Brooklyn. $5 suggested donation.
Sunday, August 30
Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration at The Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery, 5th Avenue at 25th Street
- 10am-12pm, Trolley Tour
Greenwood historian Jeff Richman and author Barnet Schecter conduct a trolley tour of the cemetery and Revolutionary War-related sites. $30, tickets here. - 11:30am-12:30pm, Living History Program
Re-enactors show what life was like during the late-1700s, including weapon firing, games, old fashioned ice cream and lemonade, and other family activities. - 12:30-1:15pm, Re-enactment of the Battle
Re-enactment of the famous battle just inside the Main Gate of the Cemetery. - 1:30pm, Parade to the top of Battle Hill
Grab a flag, wave it high and march to Battle Hill with The Regimental Band of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. - 2pm, Memorial Ceremony at Battle Hill
Honor the spirit and heroes of the Battle of Brooklyn at this commemoration on Battle Hill, overlooking New York Harbor.