The Battle of Brooklyn: History Comes Alive Close to Home

10/4/16 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

The New-York Historical Society's new exhibit, The Battle of Brooklyn, focuses on one of the earliest, largest, and closest-to-home battles of the Revolutionary War. Though not specifically designed with kids in mind, this exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at the American Revolution, with remnants of history still seen in today's Brooklyn. Older school-aged kids will enjoy exploring this immersive installation of the not-so-legendary skirmish that took place shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

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Depiction of a fire that wiped out a quarter of New York.

The Battle of Brooklyn exhibit is timed to the 240th anniversary of the encounter, which is sometimes called the Battle of Long Island. Soldiers from both armies fought in the areas we know today as Prospect Park, Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn Heights, and Park Slope. The British victory sent Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army fleeing across the East River into Manhattan, ushering in the British occupancy of New York City and Brooklyn that lasted seven years.

The exhibit does not offer a romantic and misty retelling of a burgeoning new country fighting for freedom, but instead sends you time traveling to the summer of 1776, when NYC is fraught with tension, confusion and uncertainty, with halls designed to resemble the city streets, forested battlefields, gloomy evenings, and lantern-lit taverns as they were in the days leading up to the battle. Consider what it would have been like to watch British troops arrive at small, but strategic New York City, with 500 ships lining the shores of Staten Island, loaded with more soldiers than the island's entire population. Likewise, experience how it felt to be a soldier in the Continental Army escaping quietly in the middle of the night via the East River to Manhattan.  

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Examine dozens of artifacts, including George Washington's camp cot.

The thoughtfully curated exhibition explores the Battle of Brooklyn in all its glorious minutiae and includes more than 100 artifacts, including Washington's camp cot—a must-see, especially for kids studying the Revolution in school or anyone who wants a peek into a piece of New York City history. Discover the politics leading up to the battle, how Washington and his troops were overpowered during the four-hour confrontation, and why Continental soldiers retreated under the cover of night. Find out what happened in NYC when it was over: How the British occupied the city for nearly a decade; why Nathan Hale was hanged as a spy; how colonists were imprisoned on slave ships; and how a massive fire burned down nearly a quarter of Manhattan, including Trinity Church (to this day, no one knows where or how it started). The exhibit is set up chronologically and different rooms immerse you in all the action. 


Washington’s broadside, printed and distributed throughout the city, implored non-combatants to leave while they could. 

The first room, an 18th-century street along New York Harbor, focuses on the impact of the signing of the Declaration and the publication of Thomas Paine's leaflet Common Sense. It gives an overview of the bold-faced names of the period, particularly the two Georges—Washington and King George III—at the beginning of their careers. Original broadsheets, leaflets, and letters are on display: Be sure to read them or you will miss references to the little-known New York Tea Party of 1774. Who knew?

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A Continental Army uniform is one of the many items on display.

After the stage is set for revolution, move through the exhibit to see original artifacts, including remnants of the equestrian statue of King George from Bowling Green that was famously torn down to make ammunition. You can also see a real "red coat" and a blue uniform of the Continental Army, a tricorned hat, various weapons, musket balls, and a fife and drum. Plus, many of NYC's historical landmarks from colonial days are described, including Battle Hill in Greenwood Cemetery, the failed peace talks in Staten Island, and the fight on the lawn of the Old Stone House in Park Slope. These all make great day-trip fodder for a family eager to take exploration of the battle further.  

The exhibit's impressive video displays flesh out details of the battle. A special projection table that kids will love digitally illustrates the movements of the troops over time. See how American troops were outmatched. At a critical point of the battle, the screen fades to show a diorama of the fighting at the Vechte-Cortelyou farmhouse (known today as the Old Stone House). Later, an atmospheric video projection lets you feel as if you are one of the 9,000 soldiers of the Continental Army forced to retreat.  

While there are several cool elements, there aren't enough hands-on activities to satisfy most toddlers or young children. This is definitely for older kids, at least those in fourth or fifth grades who are learning about the Revolution or early New York City. Grab an educator-created family guide as you enter so kids can dig a little deeper into the content. Consider visiting during one of the museum's colonial-themed living history days this fall. My 11-year-old history geek will definitely nerd out over this; I can't wait to take him. 

The Battle of Brooklyn is on exhibit at the New-York Historical Society through January 8, 2017 and is included with general admission tickets. Round out your visit with a stop at the DiMenna Children's History Museum (especially if you're visiting with preschoolers and younger school-aged kids), located on the lower level of the museum. 

Top image: George Washington from the Battle of Brooklyn family day. All photos courtesy of the New-York Historical Society Library.

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The New-York Historical Society