Center for Brooklyn History Exhibit Explores Battle of Brooklyn Legacy

While history buffs may be familiar with the Battle of Brooklyn saga, a new exhibition at the Center for Brooklyn History offers something for the aficionado and novice alike.

“Battle of Brooklyn: Fought and Remembered” brings together objects, documents, and rare maps to illustrate the story of the 1776 battle and its legacy in the borough. Chief Historian Dominique Jean-Louis told Brownstoner during an exhibit tour that it serves both to document the historical facts and explore how the battle has, and hasn’t, been remembered in the borough over time.

“A huge part of our goal in putting up the exhibition is to counter the fact that many people don’t know the largest battle of American Revolution took place here in Brooklyn,” she told Brownstoner. “Our goal is always to bring awareness to history and make it relevant to people’s lives while also showing that while the facts haven’t changed, the way we interpret them over time has.”

The facts are explored in various ways. A timeline provides the grounding framework and incorporates image-heavy flip books. Maps from a private collection show views of Brooklyn from 1556 to 1851, giving a sense of the changing landscape.

Because of their fragile nature, some objects on view will be changed during the run of the exhibit. On display during Brownstoner’s tour was a portrait miniature of George Washington by artist Charles Willson Peale. Visitors are invited to lift a small curtain to view the delicate watercolor painted on ivory. Original documents will rotate in two cases outside of the Othmer Library on the second floor, giving visitors a chance to see books, lithographs, and letters of the period.

In the Great Hall, maps and illustrations were blown up at a large scale to take advantage of the grand proportions of the space and allow viewers to zoom in on details. Text panels allow deep dives into how some of Brooklyn’s roughly 4,000 residents were involved or impacted by the war, including enslaved workers and women.

For those curious about where the action took place during 1776, an interactive element provides now and then views.

Other panels explore largely 20th century commemorations of the battle, including the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument and a 1946 stamp. A highlight is a reproduction of a 1976 George W. Wingate High School yearbook page showing students claiming a spot in the Bicentennial year by inserting themselves into historic portraits.

The exhibition opened on February 5 and runs through December 31 at 128 Pierrepont Street. Admission is free and the exhibit is viewable during regular open hours.

There will be special programs offered throughout the run as well as regularly scheduled exhibition tours with Dominique Jean-Louis. For those who want to read more there is a book list available online.

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