Battle of Brooklyn film, lectures, cannon firing among New Utrecht "Liberty Weekend" highlights

Friends of Historic New Utrecht

New Utrecht Liberty Pole Association

New Utrecht Reformed Church

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Film on the Battle of Brooklyn, Lectures and Cannon Firing Among  New Utrecht 'Liberty Weekend' Highlights

BROOKLYN - A film on a major figure in the Battle of Brooklyn, historical lectures, Civil and Revolutionary War re-enactor/ historians, an evening band concert and a parade are highlights of "Liberty Weekend 2011" on Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5. Organized by the Friends of Historic New Utrecht, these free public events will take place on the campus of the historic New Utrecht Reformed Church, 18th Ave. and 84th St. in Bensonhurst.

 

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be devoted to history. A highlight will be the showing of the film "The Brave Man" about Gen. William Alexander, a forgotten hero of the Battle of Brooklyn, the largest, but least-known, battle of the War for Independence. The 33-minute movie, produced and directed by Joseph McCarthy in 2001, will be shown in the New Utrecht Church Parish House at 1:45 p.m.

 

The Parish House also will be the venue for two lectures. The first, presented by National Park Service Ranger Michael Callahan at 12:30 p.m., will discuss "New York and the American Revolution." Historian George Munkenbeck will give an illustrated lecture at 2:45 p.m. on "Four Civil War Lives," the stories of two Union and two Confederate soldiers, providing a special perspective of the Civil War.

 

Throughout the day, visitors can interact with Civil War re-enactors/historians from the 14th Brooklyn Regiment, Co. H and with several Revolutionary re-enactors. Winslow's Battery D will be demonstrating, and firing, its authentic 1863 Civil War cannon.

 

Also on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friends of Historic New Utrecht president Dave Elligers will lead a tour of the colonial-era New Utrecht Cemetery on 16th Ave. between 84th and 85th Streets (entrance at 85th St.). This is the only time during the year that the landmark cemetery is open to the public.

 

At 7 p.m. Saturday on the church lawn, the Interschool Orchestras Symphonic Band, conducted by Brian P. Worsdale, will perform. There will be limited unreserved seating, and audience members may bring their own chairs and blankets. In case of rain, the concert will held in the Parish House.

 

Sunday ceremonies will honor Liberty Weekend's inspiration, the New Utrecht Liberty Pole, the sixth to be raised at the site of the first pole, erected in 1783 to celebrate the departure of British occupation troops. There will be a parade at 12:30 p.m. from the church grounds to the old cemetery where observances will honor Revolutionary War Gen. Nathaniel Woodhull and all of our community's veterans. Concluding ceremonies at the Liberty Pole at 1:45 p.m. will commemorate the Liberty Pole's 228th anniversary.

 

Before the parade, all are invited to join the regular Sunday service at 11 a.m. in the New Utrecht Reformed Church.

 

Persons interested in learning more about Liberty Weekend, New Utrecht's landmarks and the history of the Town of New Utrecht are invited to check the website www.historicnewutrecht.org or inquire at mail@historicnewutrecht.org or (718) 256-7173.

 

Liberty Weekend is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, City Councilmen Domenic Recchia and Vincent Gentile and funding from the Verizon Foundation.

 

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