Brooklyn Borough President

BOROUGH PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES EXCITING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN AND BATTLE DAYS

History comes alive all across Brooklyn!

Borough President Marty Markowitz is pleased to announce the exciting schedule of events commemorating the Battle of Brooklyn, the first battle of the United States Army under the command of General George Washington. It is also the fifth year that the Old Stone House has coordinated Battle Days, two weeks of events commemorating and celebrating Brooklyn’s role in the largest and bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War. Many will recall the 225th anniversary in 2001, which was highlighted by re-enactments of the battle featuring more than 300 authentically uniformed soldiers and witnessed by more than 15,000 avid viewers in Prospect Park, at the Old Stone House and Fort Hamilton.

“Many people still have no idea the important historical role that Brooklyn played in the birth of the United States, nor do they realize that many relics of that battle still exist, like the Old Stone House in J. J. Byrne Park, right in their own backyards,” Borough President Markowitz said. “The Old Stone House, and many other groups and organizations across Brooklyn, are helping to keep that history alive by commemorating the Battle of Brooklyn and the entire Battle Days celebration. The best way to learn our history is by experiencing it, and this is the perfect way to do it.”

This year’s events include:

Remembrance Maryland 400 - Saturday, August 16, 10:00am.
A memorial ceremony sponsored by Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee and the Michael A. Rawley, Jr. A. L. Post No. 1636 will take place at 8th Street and 3rd Avenue. This ceremony will be followed by a memorial march to the Old Stone House for a reception and open house (see next event below). Free. Information: 718-499-9482

Battle Days Opening Reception - Saturday, August 16, 11:30am.
Activities will include a wreath-laying, reception and open house at the Old Stone House (5th Avenue and 3rd Street) to kick off Battle Days. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee and the Old Stone House. Free. Information: 718-768-3195

Evergreens Cemetery Walking Tour - Sunday, August 17, 11:30am - Noon.
The tour will feature revolutionary war-related sites of the cemetery. Meet at Evergreen Cemetery Main Gate, Bushwick Avenue and Conway Street. Free. Information: 718-455-5300

Bus Tour of major Battle of Brooklyn sites - Sunday, August 17, 10:00am – 1:00pm.
The tour will be given by Old Stone House Historian Herb Yellin. The tour begins at the Old Stone House with a showing of Joseph McCarthy’s film, The Brave Man, a portrayal of the man who led one of the pivotal encounters of the battle. $20/$15 for OSH members by reservation only. Space is limited. Information and reservations: 718-768-3195

Prison Ships Martyrs Memorial Ceremony - Saturday, August 23, 10:00am.
Coordinated by the Society of Old Brooklynites, American Merchant Marine Association, and Navy Armed Guard. Meet at the Prison Ships Martyrs Monument in Fort Greene Park. Free. Information: 718-499-7600

Children’s Story Hour at Lefferts Homestead - Sunday, August 24, 2:00 and 3:00pm.
Battle of Brooklyn stories from the social history of Flatbush by Gertrude Lefferts. Children will be given materials on the battle to take home. Free. 718-789-2822

Commemorations at Green-Wood Cemetery - Sunday, August 24, 11:00am.
Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee parade from the Main Gate to the graves of Matilda Tone, wife of Irish patriot Theobald Wolf Tone, and John Gallagher, historian and author of The Battle of Brooklyn.

Battle of Brooklyn Commemorative Ceremony – Sunday, August 24, 1:30pm.
Sponsored by the Committee to Commemorate the Battle of Long Island. Meet at the main gate for a parade led by the Regimental Band of the United States Merchant Marine Academy to Battle Hill, where the ceremony will continue honoring the Patriots who fought there 227 years ago. Free. Information: 718-852-8235

“Old Stone House” Neighborhood Walk, Wednesday, August 27, 6:00 pm.
Visit Park Slope sites connected with the Battle of Brooklyn. Led by Old Stone House Board Member and Hunter College Archeology Professor William J. Parry. Meet at Grand Army Plaza, under the Arch. $12 per person/ $10 OSH members; includes light refreshments. Reservations and information: 718-768-3195

Family Events at Marine Park to Celebrate the Battle, Wednesday, August 27.
NYC Department of Parks and Recreation presents fun for the entire family:
11:00am - Storytelling with Julia Terry, Education Co-ordinator at The Old Stone House.
2:00 pm -Carnival-type games, face painting, inflatable jumping area, people in colonial costumes. Lots of fun and giveaways for children.
Free. Information: 718-421-2021

For more information on the Battle Days and the Old Stone House, contact Peter Joseph at 718-788-1474. For individual events, contact venues at the numbers listed above.