Head to Green-Wood Cemetery to Commemorate the Battle of Brooklyn

Mark the anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn with a day at Green-Wood Cemetery experiencing everything from a full-scale replica of George Washington’s field office to music of the era.

Part of the larger Battle Week calendar of events organized by Old Stone House, the outdoor festivities on the grounds of the historic cemetery are meant to bring to life the dramatic events of 1776.

Background of the Battle

The Battle of Brooklyn (also called the Battle of Long Island) was fought on August 27, 1776, and is considered one of America’s greatest losses during our war for independence. The carnage all happened one summer night: The British, who had amassed a large number of troops on Staten Island, stealthily attacked George Washington and his Continental Army at their camp in Brooklyn. Washington was greatly outnumbered and realized the only way to save his army was to flee to Manhattan.

While the rest of the troops escaped Brooklyn Heights across the river, Washington sent 400 boys from Baltimore, known as the Maryland 400, on a suicide mission: to distract the British and buy the rest of the troops time. And so a great battle was fought near the present day site of the Old Stone House. (The one standing in Park Slope today is a 1933 re-creation of the original.)

All 400 boys — the entire 1st Maryland Regiment — were killed, but the Continental Army was able to escape, and later won the war.

This Year’s Event

The theme for the day at Green-Wood is “The Meaning of Freedom” and will include an augmented reality experience that will allow visitors, through the use of a new app, to hear from General Washington, his enslaved valet William Lee, Margaret Corbin, and other key figures.

Other activities will include storytelling, hands on activities, games, and a march to Battle Hill. Organizations marking the occasion with the cemetery include the New-York Historical Society, the Center for Brooklyn History, and Wyckoff House Museum.

The event takes place at Green-Wood Cemetery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 27. It is free — a donation of $5 per person to support programming at the cemetery is recommended — and registration is suggested. For more information visit the event page online.

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