The Old Stone House, a Historic House Trust of New York City site, commemorates the Vechte-Cortelyou House’s unique place in Brooklyn and American history. Through exhibits, programs and events, we preserve the House’s rich past while contributing to Brooklyn’s contemporary cultural community.

The House As Education Resource
Each year, 6,000 students visit the Old Stone House to learn about the Battle of Brooklyn and colonial life. Our programs blend primary source documents, hands-on activities and inquiry-based learning to create an enriching experience for New York’s school children.

The garden spaces at the Old Stone House and our neighboring middle school, MS 51 offer a natural setting of native and useful plants, creating an outdoor interpretive space and a more healthful environment. This is beneficial for the community as a whole — absorbing carbon dioxide, providing exercise, pleasing the senses, offering educational opportunities and encouraging community involvement.

The House As Museum
Open to the public year-round, OSH features a historic interpretive center with a permanent exhibit about the Battle of Brooklyn. We also host original exhibits connected to Brooklyn’s past and present in our second floor Great Room.

Currently on View:
Brooklyn Utopias: Park Space/Play Space brings together 19 artists and arts groups to address the ideal design, planning and use of public parks and recreation spaces in Brooklyn and beyond. Exhibiting artists tackle issues such as parks’ relationship to eminent domain and gentrification, the process behind public space design, and debates involving the use of public/private space raised by the recent Occupy protests. Projects in all media include abstract “utopian” maps, whimsical visions of imaginary play spaces, a virtual reality park design smartphone app, and photo and video journaling Brooklyn’s lesser-known natural environments. The exhibit corresponds with re-opening of the newly renovated Washington Park/J.J. Byrne Playground, providing a perfect opportunity to reflect on the future of our parks. Visit the blog at http://brooklynutopias.wordpress.com/upcoming-exhibition-brooklyn-utopias-park-space-play-space/ to see a full list of participating artists.

The House as Park Advocate
The Old Stone House is situated at the center of Washington Park/JJ Byrne Playground, a 3.5 acre recreation site. We are devoted to supporting the Friends of Washington Park, and developing programming that enriches the site.  Our beautiful new playground opened on May 11 with separate playspaces for toddlers, elementary and middle-school aged children.   Take a peek at this view by photographer Hugh Crawford:  http://zoom.it/YFQx

OSH Board:
Jonathan Willens, Chair
Christine Rhee, Secretary

Members:
Michael Armstrong
Aviva Goldstein
Peter Joseph
Alice Marcus Krieg
Andrew McKey
Jonas Nachsin
William J. Parry
Marilyn H. Pettit
Nancy Rosenberg
Michael E. Toth

Emeritus
Joseph Ferris
Phillip Forbes
John C. Muir

Ex Officio
Martin Maher
Franklin Vagnone

OSH Staff
Kimberly Maier, Executive Director
Margaret Weber, Director of Education