Prior to Dutch colonization, the site of The Old Stone House sat near Marechkawick, a Lenape town with hundreds of inhabitants. The Lenape were almost entirely killed or displaced to Staten Island, the Hudson River Valley, eastern Long Island, and New Jersey by 1645.

The building here is a 1933 reconstruction of a farmhouse originally built in 1699 by the Vechte family. The farm grew produce, harvested oysters, and raised cattle; work that was primarily done by African slaves.

During the Revolutionary War, the site of The Old Stone House became one of the most important sites of The Battle of Brooklyn, the Revolution’s largest battle. As 2,000 British troops advanced on Washington’s army in Brooklyn Heights, Continental Army General Lord Stirling and 400 Maryland troops made a stand here. While 259 of the 400 troops were killed, it provided Washington’s army enough time to retreat across the East River and eventually go on to win the war. The burial location of the 259 Continental Army casualties remains unknown.

In 1898, Washington Park—the land surrounding The Old Stone House— became the first stadium for The Brooklyn Dodgers.

The Old Stone House

Battle of Brooklyn

Original farmhouse

About The Old Stone House today: The Old Stone House & Washington Park is dedicated to preserving and teaching local and national history as it has impacted our historically significant Brooklyn neighborhood.

We are also the conservancy organization for JJ Byrne Playground and Washington Park – caring for our neighborhood park, playground and gardens to create a vibrant public space.

We support and contribute to the needs of the present-day community through family programs, arts and cultural events and neighborhood advocacy.

Old Stone House today