On August 27, 1776 the Battle of Brooklyn was the first and largest battle fought after independence was declared, and much of it happened on ground that is now Prospect Park. For the 250th, the Brigade of the American Revolution musters in period kit on the Long Meadow by the Picnic House and marches the soldiers' route down 3rd Street to the Old Stone House. This is the anchor of Brooklyn's 250th weekend.
What to expect
Reenactors from the Brigade of the American Revolution form up on the Long Meadow near the Picnic House in full period kit before stepping off along the soldiers' route, and spectators walk out with the column down 3rd Street to the Old Stone House. The park also holds a replica of the Battle Pass fortification and, at Lefferts Historic House, an exhibit on Black people in the Battle of Brooklyn.
Good to know
- RSVP through Prospect Park Alliance — it is free, but the organizers are counting heads.
- The F and G at 15th Street–Prospect Park and the 2 and 3 at Grand Army Plaza both put you within a walk of the Long Meadow.
- The commemoration moves: it starts in the park and ends at the Old Stone House, so wear shoes you can walk a mile in.
- While you are in the park, the replica Battle Pass fortification and the Lefferts Historic House exhibit are both worth the detour.
- The Long Meadow is flat and stroller-friendly, though the march route uses ordinary city sidewalks.
- Battle reenactments are loud by nature, so plan accordingly if you are bringing very small children or a dog.
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Common questions
Is it free?
Yes. NYC Parks lists the commemoration as free, with an RSVP requested through Prospect Park Alliance.
Where does it start and where does it end?
It begins on the Long Meadow by the Picnic House in Prospect Park and follows the route the soldiers took, out of the park and down 3rd Street to the Old Stone House.
What else is there to see while we're in the park?
A replica of the Battle Pass fortification is on view, and Lefferts Historic House is showing an exhibit on the role of Black people in the Battle of Brooklyn.
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