Discover Revolutionary New Jersey! 

CROSSROADS GAZETTE
Your resource for all things Revolutionary New Jersey!
September 2017

Bring the Crossroads of the American Revolution back to school

September means a return to the classroom for kids across New Jersey, and we're ready for you! Crossroads of the American Revolution has a wealth of information that teachers, parents and homeschoolers can draw on to bring our Revolutionary heritage to life.
  • Meet new Revolutionary Neighbors. Have you been introduced? Our series of average 18th century New Jerseyans gains new members this fall with the addition of Charity Britton, Dr. John Cochran, Nicholas Collin, John Fell and Shepard Kollock. Their stories join those of more than 50 neighbors who made the life changing decision to support the fight for independence, declare loyalty to England's King George, or not taking a side. Is there one from your community?
  • Plan a trip to the 18th century! Cooler weather and brightly colored foliage make the fall months a perfect time to visit our Heritage Partner sites. Visit our events page to find harvest celebrations, reenactor encampments, crafts demonstrations and more. We're adding new events all the time, so chances are good you'll find something you'll love just a short ride away.
  • Sign up for events just for homeschoolers. Crossroads Heritage Partners like Liberty Hall Museum and the Montclair History Center offer midweek programs specifically designed for students learning through individualized programs.
  • Download our Kids Revolutionary Activity Guide. It's not just history! Our 10 page workbook uses puzzles and games to introduce New Jersey heritage to youngsters through their reading, math and observation skills. Visit the resource pages on our website to download a few pages or the full guide.
How will you experience Revolutionary New Jersey this fall? We'd love to share your ideas with others. Send your experiences - and your kids' reactions - to us at info@revolutionarynj.org or post them on our Facebook page.
Fall Art of Period Dress symposium to highlight everyday Colonial attire 
 
If historically accurate clothing is part of your interpretive experience - or you want it to be - the Art of Period Dress is for you! This Heritage Partners symposium, to take place on November 17 and 18 in Hunterdon County, will feature informative presentations by noted experts in the morning, followed by hands-on afternoon workshops.
 
Based on feedback from attendees of our spring session, this two day conference will include guidance on non-military 18th century clothes to reflect the wardrobes of average New Jerseyans of the era. Workshop topics will include Period Fabric 101, Women's Caps and Hair Styles, How to Carry Your "Stuff," and All About Aprons, an opportunity to make your own period apron.
 
Watch our website and Facebook page for more details as they become available. This program is co-sponsored by Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission, with additional support from Investors Foundation.
Crossroads YouTube channel features pivotal events at your fingertips

The invention of motion pictures was still a century away when the American Revolution ended, but you can now see recreations of the drama and action that took place in the Crossroads - all through your desktop or mobile device!

Visit our YouTube channel to see the Ten Crucial Days, the Battle of Monmouth, the retreat from Fort Lee and more in professionally-produced videos sponsored by Crossroads. We've also added brief profiles of six of our Revolutionary Neighbors -- share them with your friends!

We're also proud to share the Revolution Through Our Eyesa three-installment video series written and produced by fourth grade students from Livingston's Burnet Hill Elementary School. The youngsters researched and portrayed three stories highlighting key moments in Revolutionary history, including the crossing of the Delaware and Battle of Trenton, the final days of Nathan Hale, and a family's struggles as their father contemplated joining the Continental Army. This year-long project was funded with generous grants from the National Park Service and the New Jersey Education Association.
Remembering Frank McGinley

Crossroads trustees and staff were saddened to learn of the passing of painter and art historian Frank McGinley. Focusing on military subjects from an early age, McGinley received his first art award at age 13 for a painting of the World War II Battle of Wake Island. He was later accepted as an independent artist in the U.S. Air Force Art Program, with works hanging at the Pentagon and appearing in a history published for the Air Force's 60th anniversary. Additional examples of his work are on permanent display at the United States Military Academy at West Point, the Coast Guard station in Atlantic City, and the British War Museum in London.
 
McGinley also published his works in books including Let Us Never Forget, on World War II and the Holocaust; as well as illustrations for military and war-themed books. Read more about him and his work in our  Revolutionary NJ blog
Crossroads logo - Montville Historical Society Henry Doremus House
Crossroads star shines on new Montville signage
 
It hosted General George Washington and Colonel Alexander Hamilton in the days after the June 1780 Battle of Springfield, and today the Henry Doremus House proudly bears the Crossroads of the American Revolution logo. 

The Montville Township Historical Society, caretakers and storytellers of the ca. 1760 Dutch stone house, recently dedicated new signage which features both the Crossroads star and a gold-clad eagle reminiscent of one that graced the 18th century Doremus Tavern that once stood nearby.
 
This sign, and one at the Historical Society's museum, a post-Civil War era schoolhouse, were funded through a grant from the Morris County Heritage Commission. 
Heritage Area Partners enjoy benefits of Crossroads membership

History becomes heritage when you make a personal connection to a place and a story, and our Heritage Partners do exactly that for those who visit Revolutionary New Jersey. More than 120 historic sites, societies and lineage groups have aligned with Crossroads of the American Revolution to create a tapestry of unforgettable experiences and heritage attractions year round.
 
Crossroads is here to help heritage organizations with programming and marketing support, whether they're open seven days a week, not yet ready to welcome visitors, or anywhere in between. Heritage Partners enjoy enhanced visibility as well as workshops and professional development seminars to help them make the most of their historical offerings.
 
We're pleased to announce that the Hamilton House Museum and the Miller-Cory House Museum have joined us as Heritage Partners.
 
We thank the following organizations for renewing their partnership with us:
 

Has your organization become a Heritage Partner? For a limited time, your group can save on a multiple-year membership with Crossroads. Join or renew at a two-year membership rate and get the third year free! Contact our Program Manager, Kate Knowles-Brindle by e-mail or by phone at 609-341-3246 for more information, or visit our  Heritage Partner membership website to sign up today!
Get Revolutionary at this month's Heritage Partner events
Get out and explore at these events at our partners in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. Visit our website and Facebook page for even more activities through the month, and watch for our mid-month events email.
Stacy Roth - Molly Pitcher
Over Here, Molly Pitcher at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville
September 2 at 2:00 p.m. 

Living historian Stacy Roth brings Molly Pitcher back to life to recount the experiences of the women who "belonged to the army" during the Revolution.  More information.
The General Settles in at Rockingham in Kingston
September 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

General George Washington (a.k.a. David Emerson) invites friends to chat with him as he enjoys his 1783 visit, looks back on the war and ahead to his return to Mount Vernon. Military equipment, pit hearth cooking and ice cream making will also be on hand.  More information .
Music of the Revolutionary War at East Jersey Old Town in Piscataway 
September 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. 

Enjoy a picnic dinner as the Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks bring the sounds of 18th century Revolutionary New Jersey to life. Bring your appetite - food trucks will be on hand, too!   More information..
Tavern Night at the Old Barracks in Trenton
September 15
from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

Enjoy a candlelit evening in 18th century Trenton with period music and dance, and hoist a toast with beer from a contemporary New Jersey brewer. Tickets and more information .
Board of Trustees
Thomas H. Kean, Honorary Chair ● Patrick Murray, Chair ● Laura Szwak, Vice Chair-Governance ● Brian Levine, Vice Chair-Finance ● John Hardiman, Vice Chair-Development  ● Dale Florio ● Seth Hahn  ● 
Ira Jersey  ● Linda Kellner ●Sally Lane ● Chris Paladino ● Patrick Ryan ● Milly Silva 

Crossroads Staff
Patrick Murray, Interim Director ● Tanika Jones, Office Administrator ● Kate Knowles-Brindle, Program Manager ● Sue Kaufmann, Communications and Social Media Coordinator 
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