daytripping: Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Prospect Park West

These sunny and mild-weathered weekends have been simply amazing. Couldn't believe I had yet to discover something in Prospect Park (having lived in Park Slope for over 7 years) -- but, alas there was! Last weekend we stumbled upon the Lefferts Historic House Museum just off the road/bike path loop, tucked away near the carousel near the Flatbush/Ocean Ave. entrance. If your ever looking for a pit stop while on a leisure ride in Prospect Park, I recommend...

The Lefferts Historic House is one of the few remaining Dutch settlement period farmhouses in Brooklyn. Built in 1783 the house serves as a museum which has furnished period rooms and activities that reflect daily life in the 18th and 19th century. The grounds outside the house includes brick oven, a garden with common crops, and this awesome traditional Wigwam which the Lenape Tribe would use to house 1-2 families (from 900-1700). This one was built by students using local saplings... 

Being a fan of quilting, it was serendipity that our visit to the Lefferts House coincided with their 20 year anniversary quilt exhibition...

You can also check out these quilts, along with many more, when they move to Prospect Park's Audubon Center Boathouse for a reception and raffle on Saturday, December 10th from 4-6pm.

While there, we just had to pop in to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (across the street) to check in on the magnificent bonsai trees...