On this ground in 1776, the men known as the Maryland 400 charged the Old Stone House again and again so the rest of Washington's army could slip across the East River. The 250th-anniversary commemoration brings reenactor regiments, historical costumers, and talks on battle strategy and Revolutionary War daily life to the same block. If you make one history stop this weekend, make it the Battle of Brooklyn remembered where it actually happened.
What to expect
Expect an outdoor gathering in Washington Park beside the reconstructed Dutch stone farmhouse: a formal remembrance ceremony led by the partner societies, then reenactor regiments in period wool walking visitors through battle strategy and the daily routines of Revolutionary War soldiers. Historical costumers circulate through the crowd, and the surrounding streets are the battlefield itself.
Good to know
- The Old Stone House sits in Washington Park at Third Street off Fifth Avenue; the R to Union Street and the F/G to Fourth Avenue-Ninth Street are both close.
- The programme runs outdoors on grass and park paths, so wear shoes you do not mind on turf and bring sun cover.
- Reenactors are there to be asked things — kids who like uniforms and muskets get far more out of this than out of a museum case.
- The listing routes through a Get Tickets link rather than posting a price, so register through the organizer before you travel.
- Green-Wood Cemetery's Battle Hill, the high ground fought over in the same engagement, is a walkable extension of the day.
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Common questions
Is it free?
The listing sends you to a Get Tickets link instead of stating a price, so treat it as ticketed and register through the organizer's page rather than assuming free admission.
Who were the Maryland 400?
The Maryland soldiers whose repeated charges near the Old Stone House on August 27, 1776 held British troops in place long enough for the bulk of Washington's army to withdraw to Manhattan.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. Reenactor camps, period uniforms, and costumed interpreters are the most kid-legible form history takes, and Washington Park has open ground to roam between demonstrations.
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