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Taste Colonial History at Battle of Brooklyn Food Events

 Foodies can sample Revolutionary War cuisine at events marking the anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn.
Taste Colonial History at Battle of Brooklyn Food Events
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PARK SLOPE — George Washington slurped here.

A slew of events marking the anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn will feature Revolutionary War-era cuisine.

On Aug. 24, history buffs will sample some of the food that Washington's troops may have eaten during the pivotal skirmish on August 27, 1776 just weeks after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Old Stone House, on Fifth Avenue and Third Street, where the heroic "Maryland 400" attacked British troops, will host Revolutionary Fare, where the public can chow down on 18th century dishes such as corned ham, coleslaw and biscuits prepared by Park Slope restaurants Stone Park Cafe and Backyard.

Tickets are $12 and include a "Colonial period cocktail" prepared by Momofuku mixologist Dave Arnold. There will also be a pie contest, but entries don't have to be historic.

Old Stone House Executive Director Kim Maier said eating is a way to bring history alive and connect it with the present day.

"One of the big issues with historic homes or sites is that people tend to think they're boring places, but there's so much that's relevant to what we're all interested in today: local food, heritage crops…All of it comes out of the 18th-century tradition," Maier said. 
"We just want to introduce people to these themes."

Also on Aug. 24, the VanderEnde-Onderdonk House in Ridgewood, Queens will host cook/historian Carolina Capeheart preparing soldiers' rations over an open fire.

At the daylong Battle of Brooklyn commemoration at Green-Wood Cemetery on Aug. 25, Colonial food and drink will be available for sale at the "commissary" as Revolutionary War re-enactors on horseback shoot muskets and fire cannons. Food historian Sarah Lohman will prepare "shrub" — an 18th century beverage — and hand churn vanilla ice cream.

The food-themed events are just a few of the many activities surrounding the Battle of Brooklyn anniversary. There will also be a canoe tour along the American soldiers' escape route on the Gowanus Creek (now the canal), a 10K run in Prospect Park, and performances of monologues and songs inspired by Revolutionary War thinker Thomas Paine at the Old Stone House.

For all the details, check the Old Stone House website.