There's a whole lot of early American history in the Park Slope/Gowanus/Sunset Park area. The first battle of the Revolutionary War took place in Washington/JJ Byrne Park and that's what's celebrated every year during Battle week. Marilyn Pettit, Chair of the Old Stone House Board of Trustees explains: weeks after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and was the first
battle of the United
States.
"Even though the Americans
lost the battle in the face of the overwhelming British forces, the bravery they
displayed helped galvanize the Colonists and proved their determination to fight
for the freedom and liberty which they eventually won seven years later in
1783.
"The Old Stone House is the place where
256 brave members of Captain Smallwood’s Maryland Regiment sacrificed themselves
on August 27, 1776, to buy time for the rest of their American comrades to
evacuate to safety during the Battle of Brooklyn."
Sunday August 23, 11 AM – 1 PM
Evergreens Cemetery Walking Tour
Evergreen
Cemetery presents a walking tour of the revolutionary war-related sites
of the cemetery. Meet at Evergreen Cemetery Main Gate, Bushwick Avenue
and Conway Street, Brooklyn.
718-455-5300/www.theevergreenscemetery.com/
Gowanus Dredgers Estuary Tour
Canoe
the Gowanus Canal and learn the history of this infamous escape route
for American soldiers during the Revolutionary War. 2nd Street between
Bond and the Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn.
718-768-3195/www.gowanuscanal.org/
Friday, August 28, 6 PM – 8 PM
Battle of Brooklyn Neighborhood Walk
by Old Stone House Board Member and Hunter College Archaeology
Professor William J. Parry. Meet at Grand Army Plaza, entrance to
Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn. $12 per person/$10
OSH members; includes light refreshments. Wear comfortable shoes.
Reservations and infortmation:
718-768-3195/info@theoldstonehouse.org
Saturday, August 29, 11 AM - 12 PM
Maryland 400 Remembrance Ceremony
at the newly refurbished Maryland Monument in Prospect Park. Enter
Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street and proceed across to Wellhouse
Drive, then uphill to the monument. Sponsored by the Maryland State
Monuments Commission.
718-768-3195/info@theoldstonehouse.org
Saturday, August 29, 10 AM - 5 PM
Battle Days Reception
Old Stone House, JJ Byrne Park, 3rd Street at 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, OSH Gallery. Reenactors Welcome!
Sunday, August 30
10 AM – 12 PM Green-Wood
historian Jeff Richman and author Barnet Schecter conduct a trolley
tour of the cemetery. Reservations necessary. $20 for the public, $10
for Historic Fund members. 718-768-7300
11:30 AM Tributes to George Washington's Irish Generals, The Bold Fenian Men/The Civil War, Irish Korean War Memorial, Matilda Tone
1:30 PM Parade to top of Battle Hill
2 PM Memorial Ceremony at Battle Hill; Micahel Callahan, Guest Speaker