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The Old Stone House was built in 1699, and played a role in the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. The house was demolished in 1893, but eventually resurrected in the 1930s and opened as a museum in 1996. Those efforts may have never happened if not for an author named Georgia Fraser, nearly a century earlier.
The Old Stone House was built in 1699, and played a role in the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn. The house was demolished in 1893, but eventually resurrected in the 1930s and opened as a museum in 1996. Those efforts may have never happened if not for an author named Georgia Fraser, nearly a century earlier.
In 1699, Claes Arentsen Vechte and Hendrick Claessen Vechte built a Dutch Colonial farmhouse in what is now considered Park Slope, Brooklyn. In 1776, that house hosted British and American soldiers during The Battle of Brooklyn - the largest battle of the Revolutionary War.[1] Eventually, the site became one of many lost to history when it was demolished and buried in 1893.[2] Around the turn of the century, there was a growing public interest in restoring the house, which became so intrinsically tied to American history. The Parks Commissioner took action to restore the house in the 1930s.[3] The restoration can largely be attributed to the pressure of activists like Charles M. Higgins and the First Battle Revival Alliance [4]. A replica of the house was built during 1933-1935, using many of the stones from the original colonial structure.[5] However, it was not until 1996 that the Old Stone House was opened as a museum.[6] The museum’s opening owes much to the efforts of John Gallagher and Herb Yellin in the 1980s.[7]
In 1699, Claes Arentsen Vechte and Hendrick Claessen Vechte built a Dutch Colonial farmhouse in what is now considered Park Slope, Brooklyn. In 1776, that house hosted British and American soldiers during The Battle of Brooklyn - the largest battle of the Revolutionary War.[1] Eventually, the site became one of many lost to history when it was demolished and buried in 1893.[2] Around the turn of the century, there was a growing public interest in restoring the house, which became so intrinsically tied to American history. The Parks Commissioner took action to restore the house in the 1930s.[3] The restoration can largely be attributed to the pressure of activists like Charles M. Higgins and the First Battle Revival Alliance [4]. A replica of the house was built during 1933-1935, using many of the stones from the original colonial structure.[5] However, it was not until 1996 that the Old Stone House was opened as a museum.[6] The museum’s opening owes much to the efforts of John Gallagher and Herb Yellin in the 1980s.[7]
One key figure in the movement to restore the Old Stone House was an author named Georgia Fraser. When Fraser published her 1909 book, The Stone House of Gowanus, Scene of the Battle of Long Island, it is said to have “galvanized local activists.”[8] Her interest in the site was sparked by a painting which hung in her uncle’s house.[9] Fraser embarked on a quest to discover the story behind the painting, which pictured a Stone House, and was titled “The Washington House on Long Island.”
One key figure in the movement to restore the Old Stone House was an author named Georgia Fraser. When Fraser published her 1909 book, The Stone House of Gowanus, Scene of the Battle of Long Island, it is said to have “galvanized local activists.”[8] Her interest in the site was sparked by a painting which hung in her uncle’s house.[9] Fraser embarked on a quest to discover the story behind the painting, which pictured a Stone House, and was titled “The Washington House on Long Island.”
Through her impassioned research, Fraser tore through countless sources in libraries, museums, private collections, and genealogical societies. While her search returned fascinating “geographical and historical lore,” Fraser was determined to focus only on the house depicted in the old painting. Her efforts culminated in her 1909 book, which presented original, never-before-seen research about the Old Stone House and the surrounding Gowanus area.
Through her impassioned research, Fraser tore through countless sources in libraries, museums, private collections, and genealogical societies. While her search returned fascinating “geographical and historical lore,” Fraser was determined to focus only on the house depicted in the old painting. Her efforts culminated in her 1909 book, which presented original, never-before-seen research about the Old Stone House and the surrounding Gowanus area.
In the last chapter of the book, Fraser made a strong case for restoring the Old Stone House and establishing it “as a museum for Colonial and Revolutionary relics.” She suggested furnishing the house in “duplicate of the days before the war,” and compared her idea to house museums of “the Jumel Mansion on Washington Heights, Manhattan, and the Van Cortlandt Mansion at Van Cortlandt Park.” Fraser concluded that the Old Stone House, with its ties both to Colonial farm life and the Revolutionary War, presented “an opportunity for historic preservation unequalled at the present time in America.”
In the last chapter of the book, Fraser made a strong case for restoring the Old Stone House and establishing it “as a museum for Colonial and Revolutionary relics.” She suggested furnishing the house in “duplicate of the days before the war,” and compared her idea to house museums of “the Jumel Mansion on Washington Heights, Manhattan, and the Van Cortlandt Mansion at Van Cortlandt Park.” Fraser concluded that the Old Stone House, with its ties both to Colonial farm life and the Revolutionary War, presented “an opportunity for historic preservation unequalled at the present time in America.”
Eighty-seven years later, Fraser’s vision came to life.
Eighty-seven years later, Fraser’s vision came to life.
"[T]his site restored to its original form, representing, as it does, not only a homestead ... but the scene of a great battle - itself the important redoubt; altogether, with surroundings, representing an opportunity for historic preservation unequalled at the present time in America."
"[T]his site restored to its original form, representing, as it does, not only a homestead ... but the scene of a great battle - itself the important redoubt; altogether, with surroundings, representing an opportunity for historic preservation unequalled at the present time in America."
Georgia Fraser, The Stone House of Gowanus, Scene of the Battle of Long Island (New York: Witter and Kintner, 1909), 148.
In addition to her historic research, Georgia Fraser also published poetry and several fictitious novels set in Colonial and Revolutionary America. In 1910, one woman wrote to The New York Times: “We think Brooklyn ought to raise a monument to Miss Fraser … as well as to the history she depicts."[12]
In addition to her historic research, Georgia Fraser also published poetry and several fictitious novels set in Colonial and Revolutionary America. In 1910, one woman wrote to The New York Times: “We think Brooklyn ought to raise a monument to Miss Fraser … as well as to the history she depicts."[12]
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References
References
Julie Besonen, “George Washington Lost Here,” New York Times, January 11, 2015.
Edward Lewine, “1699 House Is Finally Historic,” New York Times, April 27, 1997.
Ibid.
“The Old Stone House Today.” The Old Stone House in Brooklyn, https://theoldstonehouse.org/history/osh-today/ .
Edward Lewine, “1699 House Is Finally Historic,” New York Times, April 27, 1997.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Historic Houses In New York City Parks, a Publication of the Historic House Trust of New York City, 2003.
Georgia Fraser, The Stone House of Gowanus, Scene of the Battle of Long Island (New York: Witter and Kintner, 1909), 13.
Ibid, 147.
Ibid, 148.
B.A.F. “A BROOKLYN LANDMARK.” New York Times, Apr 16, 1910.
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