Prospect Park Alliance is ushering in the 2026 season at Lefferts Historic House with a diverse lineup of free cultural events, exhibitions, performances, and conversations celebrating Brooklyn’s rich history and the enduring legacies of Black and Indigenous communities.
Located in Prospect Park and operated by the Alliance in partnership with the Historic House Trust, Lefferts Historic House serves as a space for exploring stories of resilience, resistance, and cultural heritage. This year’s programming features a dynamic mix of history, art, music, dance, and community engagement.
The season opens with The Shirley Chisholm Way: Brooklyn’s Blueprint for Change, a major exhibition presented in partnership with the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute. Opening May 14 and running through November 15, the exhibit explores seven life lessons drawn from the groundbreaking career of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress.
The exhibition includes rarely seen campaign memorabilia, historical photographs, and portraits by artist Al Johnson. Organizers hope the presentation will inspire visitors while honoring Chisholm’s lasting impact on politics and social justice. The exhibit also serves as a precursor to a planned monument honoring Chisholm that will be installed at Prospect Park in 2027.
Another highlight of the season is the annual Pinkster Celebration on May 17. Once celebrated by enslaved Africans in colonial New York, Pinkster has been revived in recent decades as a celebration of African cultural traditions and history. The family-friendly event will feature music, storytelling, performances, games, and food, led by Chief Baba Neil Clarke and the Pinkster Players.
On Memorial Day, visitors can attend Remembering the U.S. Colored Troops of Brooklyn, a program honoring Black soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The event will include readings from Frederick Douglass and recognition of the men who joined the United States Colored Troops in the fight to end slavery.
Photography and community history take center stage on May 31 with Healing Through Art in the Park, a conversation featuring acclaimed photographer Jamel Shabazz and community leader Richard Green. The discussion will explore the healing power of art and reflect on Shabazz’s new book, Prospect Park: Photographs of a Brooklyn Oasis, 1980-2025.
Juneteenth programming includes MAJOR, a contemporary dance work by choreographer Ogemdi Ude presented in partnership with Danspace Project. The performance explores the history, culture, and significance of majorette dance through an all-Black femme cast.
Visitors can also explore ongoing installations including Ancestral Whispers, honoring Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family, and Eelunaapéewi Ehaptoonáakanal: Voices of Lunáapeew/Lenape, which highlights the voices and histories of Lenape communities.
Together, the season’s programs reinforce Lefferts Historic House’s role as a vital cultural destination where history, art, and community continue to intersect in meaningful ways.