Here's Your Borough-Wide Event Listings For The 240th Anniversary Of The Battle Of Brooklyn

The Delaware Regiment at the Battle of Brooklyn, also called the Battle of Long Island. (Photo via Wikimedia)

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 a week of events throughout the borough.

The battle reenactment at Green-Wood Cemetery in 2015. (Credit: Robert Levine/Old Stone House)

From war reenactments, to museum exhibitions, to walking tours, be sure to get involved in the myriad of events available to you. And many of them are free or rather inexpensive.

Here is a list of commemorative happenings. Enjoy your history! For more details, visit the Battle Week section of the Old Stone House website.

Battle of Brooklyn Neighborhood Walk
When: Friday, August 19, 6pm and Saturday, August 27, 4pm
Where: Meet at Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park, NW corner.
What: Led by Old Stone House Board Member and Hunter College Archaeology Professor William J. Parry. Wear comfortable shoes.
Cost and Information: $12 per person/$10 OSH members; includes light refreshments. Buy tickets online.
More information: 718-768-3195 or info@theoldstonehouse.org

Maryland 400 Remembrance Ceremony
When: Saturday, August 20, 12pm-2pm
Where: Old Stone House & Washington Park, 336 3rd Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues)
What: Music, Color Guard & Salute & A Reading of the Names.
Cost: Free
More information: 718-768-3195 or info@theoldstonehouse.org

Evergreens Cemetery Walking Tour
When: Sunday, August 21, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Where: Evergreens Cemetery Main Gate, Bushwick Avenue and Conway Street.
What: A walking tour of its revolutionary war-related sites.
Cost: Free
More information: 718-455-5300

A/K/A Benjamin Franklin’s Women
When: Thursday, August 23, 8pm
Where: Old Stone House & Washington Park, 336 3rd Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues)
What: An immersive multi-media concert production by Concrete Timbre.
Cost: $15, Purchase tickets online. $20 at the door.
More information: 718-455-5300

From “Old Stone House: Witness to War” – a new exhibit at the Old Stone House. (Courtesy of Old Stone House)

Special Opening: Old Stone House: Witness to War
When: Friday, August 26, 6pm
Where: Old Stone House & Washington Park, 336 3rd Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues)
What: View the new permanent exhibit at the Old Stone House exploring the Battle of Brooklyn,
as well as family life in Brooklyn during the Revolution and Occupation. Join us for colonial cocktails and snacks from our wood-fired oven.
Cost: Free
More information: 718-455-5300

The Great Escape
When: Saturday, August 27, 10am-2pm
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park/Pebble Cove
What: Join the Revolutionary Army! Glover’s Marblehead Regiment hosts a program in partnership with the Village Community Boat House.
Cost: Free

Rediscover Denyse Wharf
When: Saturday, August 27, 11am-4pm
Where: Access via the Belt Parkway’s 4th Avenue Overpass. On beach under the Verrazano–Narrows Bridge.
What: Walk along the beach at Denyse Wharf, where the British landed in 1776. Enjoy the wide views of the Lower Bay, meet colonial re-enactors, and learn about this important environmental site.
Cost: Free

Prison Ship Martyrs Memorial Ceremony
When: Saturday, August 27, 10am-11:30am
Where: Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, Fort Greene Park
What: Join the Society of Old Brooklynites for their 108th annual memorial tribute to the American Revolution’s Prison Ship Martyrs on the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn.
Cost: Free

BLDG 92 Brooklyn Navy Yard – Scavenger Battle!
When: Saturday, August 27, 12:30pm-3pm
Where: The Brooklyn Navy Yard Center at BLDG 92, 63 Flushing Avenue (at Carlton Avenue)
What:Team up with family and friends for a day of trivia, gaming and historical fun including a “Brooklyn vs Britain” scavenger hunt and a Battle Ship Memory game.
Cost: Free

Dramatic Reading of The Declaration of Independence
When: Saturday, August 27, 1pm-5pm
Where: The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Avenue.
What: Hear the Declaration of Independence read the18th century way. Learn about how it was written and the role it played during the Battle of Brooklyn. By the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society.
Cost: $5 suggested donation GRHS members Free, 718-456-1776

Encampment: Fireside Tales and Tunes
When: Saturday, August 27, 7:30pm-10pm
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery, Details about event are here.
What: By firelight, Susan Kent of TELL IT: BROOKLYN will host an outdoor storytelling program that takes on the battles of body, spirit and mind. Seasoned storytellers will take the stage, but attendees so inclinded to tell their own battle story can throw their hat in the ring too. The songwriting duo, Charming Disaster, will provide musical interludes. Sponsored by Lagunitas Brewing Company. Colonial cooking demonstration by Carolina Capehart.
Cost: $15

Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration at The Green-Wood Cemetery
When: Sunday, August 28, 10am-3pm
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery
What: A variety of free events. See details about the full schedule.

On-Going Events:

Display of 85 Revolutionary War flags and their history
When: Ongoing, Saturday, August 20 – Sunday, August 28
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery, 5th Avenue at 25th Street entrance
Cost: Free

Encampment: Fireside Tales and Tunes
When: Through August 28. Wednesdays-Sundays, 12pm-5pm
Where: Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont Street
What: Brooklyn Historical Society is pleased to display two versions of a map created by Lieutenant Bernard Ratzer, including a rare, first edition of Ratzer’s Plan of the City of New York. The second is a portion of that same map that was used by Hugh Earl Percy, General in the British Army, during the Battle of Long Island in August 1776.
Cost: Free

Old Stone House: Witness to War
When: Exhibit Opens, Friday, August 26 at 6pm. Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am–4pm
Where: Old Stone House & Washington Park, 336 3rd Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues)
What: A New Permanent Exhibit about the Battle of Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Old Stone House: Appropriating Revolution
When: Fridays 3pm-7pm; or by appointment. Through October 8.
Where: Old Stone House & Washington Park, 336 3rd Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues)
What: A contemporary art exhibition at the Old Stone House & Washington Park, curated by Katherine Gressel.
Cost: Free