Old Stone House of Brooklyn

Old Stone House’s “Garden Explorers” Summer program offers up to 4 weeks of nature-centered outdoor learning.

Register now on our website.
https://theoldstonehouse.org/education/afterschool-and-holiday-programs/

The explorers scavenger-hunt around the 1.5 acres of gardens of Washington Park. Through engaging games, art, and crafts children are taught to identify plants and elements of the eco system. They will learn about pollinators, seed propagation, insects, and the cycle of composting.

Activities are focused on nature. Students dye fabric with natural materials, make seed collages, create sun prints, learn about food preservation, make clay sculptures and so much more!

After School & Holiday - The Old Stone House in Brooklyn Through engaging games, art and crafts, children are taught to identify plants and elements of the ecosystem. They will learn about pollinators, seed propagation, insects and the cycle of composting, as well as storytelling and scavenger-hunting through the 1.5 acres of gardens of Washington Park.

Come celebrate the opening of the new contemporary art gallery at Old Stone House: ‘Breaking the Law’
Opening Reception: June 25, 6-8pm

Breaking the Law considers the role of artists in both exposing, and responding to, unjust laws or interpretations of laws, including encouraging and honoring acts of protest and civil disobedience as well as acts of community building and repair.

This group show helps commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War and Battle of Brooklyn that took place on OSH’s grounds, drawing critical connections between that foundational period, other times of political upheaval, and our current social and political moment.

Much of the imagery in the show directly references the Declaration of Independence as an original act of breaking the law and the foundation for a new, if incomplete, vision of justice.

Curatorial team:
Katherine Gressel, Bianca Mona, Jennifer Wingate, Dylan Yeats

Exhibiting Artists:
Chinatown Art Brigade, Daniel Bejar, Mildred Beltre, Meena Hasan, Intelligent Mischief, Tom Keough, Graham MacIndoe & Susan Stellin, Katrina Majkut, Jeremiah Ojo, Julie Peppito, Megan Piontkowski, Jenny P***k, Rowan Renee, Margaret Roleke, Diana Schmertz

Juneteenth commemorates the day that the Emancipation Proclamation was finally enforced throughout the country, as enslaved individuals in Texas were notified of their freedom on June 19th, 1865—nearly two and a half years after President Lincoln issued the proclamation.

The Vechte family who owned the Old Stone House were enslavers, as were the majority of the farmers in Brooklyn in the 18th century. Those who were enslaved did most of the work on the Vechte farm, raising animals, tending to crops, cooking, cleaning and kept the hearth fires going through long cold nights.

During the American Revolution, more enslaved people lived at the Old Stone House than free. In fact, at that time, New York had the highest proportion of enslaved individuals to Europeans of anywhere in the north, with about three thousand enslaved people in the city and twenty thousand more within fifty miles of Manhattan.

Slavery was formally abolished in New York in 1827, but this did not stop slave catchers from roaming the streets of the city, capturing fugitive slaves and free Black individuals, and forcing them to the South where enslavement was still legal. Enslavement was not contained to the southern United States. It is an issue that runs deeply throughout our entire nation. On this day, we reflect on the lives of those who were enslaved, and those who were and continue to be affected by the terrible and unjust institution of slavery in this state and in this country.

As author, scholar, and poet Clint Smith wrote, “The project of freedom, Juneteenth reminds us, is precarious, and we should regularly remind ourselves how many people who came before us never got to experience it, and how many people there are still waiting.” (Smith, How the Word is Passed, 206)

Happy Summer and THANK YOU to the many people who make the work of Old Stone House & Washington Park possible year-round.

Board:
Nancy Rosenberg, Board Chair
Cathleen Game Leff, Secretary
Doug Gallager, Treasurer
Joseph McCarthy
Charlie Pigott
Karen Ho
Yashmin Fernandes
Michelle Minovi
Jacob Russell

Staff:
Kimberly Maier, Executive Director,
Mina Jones, General Manager

Margaret Weber, Director of Education
Mattie Branson-Meyer, Public History Associate
Theresa Linnihan, Visitor Services & Teaching Artist
Sommer Melody Moore, Teaching Artist
Lex Stodden, Teaching Artist

Madeline Wall, Director of Programs

Kendall Perry, Visitor Services Coordinator

Samuel Lewis, Director of Gardens
Angel Martinez Lombardo,
Director of Environmental Programs

Deyse Ramirez, Keeper of the House
Jesus Hernandez, Keeper of the House

Brandon An, JJ Byrne Playground/
Washington Park Manager
Maciej Mieczkowski, Parks Associate

Scholar-in-Residence: Dylan Yeats
Contemporary Curator: Katherine Gressel

Shout out to the local businesses that supported Old Stone House & Washington Park at our 2026 fundraiser.

Thank you for being such wonderful neighbors!

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Fresh Orthodontics


LOCALLY OWNED. DIGITALLY POWERED. SURPRISINGLY FUN.
Phone: 347-708-9777
Address: 385 4th Ave #2, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Email: [email protected]
Website: freshorthodontics.com

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Bagel World

“We boil and bake our hand rolled bagels fresh on a daily basis.”
Phone: 718.499.1143
Address: 339 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215

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Dr. Andrea Auerbach, D.C.

“Bad Posture? Low Energy? Insomnia? Pain? Constipation? Headaches? Pregnant? Looking for Wellness? We can help!”
Phone: 718-399-1111
Address: 234 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Website: yourparkslopechiropractor.com

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Fez Salon
slope

“Rudy, the owner of Fez Salon, brings his 25 years of experience in the industry to the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn.”
Phone: (718) 965-1714
Address: 371 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Email: [email protected]

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Cafe Martin


“Small community cafe with no WiFi and tones of good vibes and connectivity in all the ways that matter.”
Address: 355 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

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Park Slope Eye


“Over a decade ago, Dr. Justin Bazan brought his dream of offering Brooklyn top-notch eye care and eyewear to life. Since day one, our main goal has been to provide our patients with a world-class experience, and we’re proud to say that we’ve surpassed that goal.
Between our team of experienced and respected professionals, our state-of-the-art technology, and our selection of world-renowned eyewear brands, we are fully equipped to offer you the very best.”
Phone: 347-560-8393
Address: 682 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Email: [email protected]

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Photos of Rock the House by the fabulously talented Nick Bello!

Thank you to our Rock the House sponsors who made our fundraiser such a huge success and who partner with us year round!

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Park Slope Parents - particularly Susan Fox and her family, for bringing the bubbles and the fun!

“Park Slope Parents (PSP) is a community of 8,000+ families in Brooklyn, NY… its members have shared advice on everything from choosing childcare to camps, hairdressers to healthcare, and coping with teething, terrible twos, and tweens.”


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Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID - We love Joanna, Melisa, Carol, Erika, and the entire BID team.

“We, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District, envision an attractive, diverse and thriving avenue in the heart of Park Slope, where everyone feels welcome to shop, work, learn, dine, live and play.”


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Brooklyn Force Soccer/ Met Oval Brooklyn - Thank you, Danny Segelin and the entire team for being such a good neighbor in the park!

“Brooklyn Force is a youth soccer club rooted in the tradition of competitive, character-driven development.”


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Park Slope United - thank you to the team for all the joy and engagement you bring to the park!

“Since 2012 Park Slope United has risen from a handful of five and six year olds to become the leading soccer program in Brooklyn with over 3000 players.”


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Park Slope Day Camp - Congratulations on 35 years!

“Since 1992, we’ve watched our campers gain confidence, build leadership skills and approach their daily lives with a newfound sense of adventure and excitement.”


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NewYork-Presbyterian - thank you for your ongoing support of the South Brooklyn Community!

NewYork-Presbyterian is one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems, dedicated to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care and service to patients in the New York metropolitan area, nationally, and around the world.


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Incredible rainbow photo by Rich Garr

Thank you to Terrace Restaurant! They’re a long-time supporter of Old Stone House, and they continued that support at this year’s Rock the House fundraiser!


Old Stone House staff recommends their breakfast sandwich with an iced coffee! They also serve lunch, dinner, and drinks, specializing in Mexican favorites. Delicious!

“Cesar Rendon, Andres Rendon, and Noel Castro with 30 years of experience in the culinary industry, warmly invite you to savor the exquisite flavors of Puebla State, renowned as the top culinary destination in all of Mexico.”

280 5TH AVENUE,
BROOKLYN, NY 11215
(929) 624-2646

Photo of Rock the House by Nick Bello

We Rocked the House at your 2026 fundraiser, thanks to Brooklyn Music Lab!

The two-dozen-or-so band members were all extremely talented young musicians. Professional, funny, energetic, they put a jazzy-spin on a playlist of pop-favorites that brought the whole party to its feet.

Brooklyn Music Lab is sponsored, in part by long-time supporter of Old Stone House: Charlie Pigott.

Charlie is a life long Park Slope resident, and the fourth generation of a family who has been in the area since the late 1800s. A father of four, he is proud to pass on his love of Brooklyn to the fifth generation. Charlie brings passion, energy and sensitivity to serving the unique needs of his clients. As a long time resident and successful owner, investor, buyer and seller, Charlie has a breadth of first-hand experience with an exceptional knowledge of the market. A strong negotiator, he keenly recognizes value and potential in a property. Drawing on his experience from all sides of a real estate transaction, he enjoys sharing with clients the knowledge he’s gained through success in real estate.

More about Brooklyn Music Lab:
From the creators of Kids Rock for Kids, a non-profit empowering the next generation of musicians with opportunities, guidance, and a supportive community to help them thrive in their creative journeys.

At our annual fundraiser, “Rock the House” we honored Joseph McCarthy
and Peter Joseph, Founding Board Members of Old Stone House & Washington Park.

Joe McCarthy and Peter Joseph helped raise awareness of the history of the site; not only of its Revolutionary War history but the long history preceding it, including the Lenape, the first people.

It's fitting, this year, the semiquincentennial anniversary (250th) of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, that we recognized Joe and Peter for their work to create a space where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are a daily experience.

Many thanks to both for their commitment to the Old Stone House and Brooklyn History!

Photos by Nick Bello