The Society of Old Brooklynites is one of the New York City borough's oldest civic organizations.
[1] It was founded in 1880 to celebrate Brooklyn's history as an independent city[2] and to help connect the local business community.
[4] The group rose to prominence combatting the merging of New York City with Brooklyn.
[5] The society also has an annual event there honoring the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn.
[6] An unauthorized Bust of Edward Snowden was briefly placed in the park in 2015 and sparked outrage by the society.