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CROSSROADS GAZETTE
Your resource for all things Revolutionary New Jersey!
August 2017
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Explore the Crossroads of the American Revolution on foot or wheels!
It's prime vacation season, the days are warm, and in a few weeks the kids are returning to school. Before the family has to settle into the regular routine again, why not take a trip into Revolutionary New Jersey? There's a lot to discover on day trips that will take you back in time, without the hassles of making reservations, packing and waiting on airport security lines.
Many communities around the state offer a bounty of history you can easily explore on foot or even on bicycle. Trace the paths of local Revolutionary Neighbors, discover your heritage and explore local restaurants and shops. We offer a few suggestions below:
Once the capital of West Jersey,
Burlington boasts a wealth of historic attractions on an extensive
walking tour. Its downtown includes the publication site of one of the state's first newspapers, the oldest continuously used library in the United States, the former estate of New Jersey's last Royal Governor
William Franklin and the home of Continental soldier
Oliver Cromwell.
The site of the nation's first designated
National Historical Park and General George Washington's two-time winter headquarters,
Morristown offers history at every turn. Start your visit at the headquarters, home of Revolutionary Neighbor
Theodosia Ford, and then head downtown to Morristown Green, used as a military parade ground during the Revolution. Not far away, young Colonel Alexander Hamilton courted his future wife Elizabeth Schuyler at the
Schuyler-Hamilton House. A short drive also brings you to Jockey Hollow, where more than 10,000 Continental troops endured the harshest winter in recorded history. There, visit the home of Revolutionary Neighbor
Temperance Wick and learn how her family supported the Patriot cause.
Up for a hike? Try the
Battle of the Short Hills Historic Trail! This 13 mile route stretches from the Metuchen Train Station to the Deserted Village in Union County's Watchung Reservation, tracing the route of American soldiers who fought in the June 1777 conflict, led, in part, by Revolutionary Neighbor
General William Maxwell. Along the way, you'll pass several notable historic sites while walking through densely populated areas, parks and woods.
Do you have a favorite Revolutionary New Jersey destination? Visit us on
Facebook and let us know!
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Elizabeth Schuyler-Hamilton (Elisabeth Harmor) and Gen. George Washington (John Godzieba) were among the Revolutionary personalities welcoming ball fans to the park. |
All Star Fans get into the Revolutionary Spirit
More than 8100 baseball fans got into the Revolutionary Spirit as Crossroads, historical interpreters and several of our Heritage Partners exhibited at Bridgewater's TD Bank Ballpark during the Atlantic League All Star Game on July 12. For the second year, the Somerset Patriots professional baseball team invited us to make New Jersey history come alive for their guests.
Fans from as far away as Texas were welcomed by more than 40 reenactors camped in front of the ballpark, plus the musicians of the Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks. Inside the park, representatives of over a dozen Heritage Partners shared games, demonstrations and information on their sites as Ben Franklin and other luminaries mingled with baseball fans.
Fireworks and patriotic songs capped off the night, with cannon fire from Mott's Artillery as the grand finale.
An event as big as this can't be described in mere words! Visit our website for photos, video and more information about the gala event.
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Save the Date: NJDAR Headquarters Rededication September 10
New Jersey's Daughters of the American Revolution invite you to celebrate with them on September 10 as they rededicate their headquarters, the Isaac Watson House, following a $50,000 restoration.
Built on a bluff overlooking Watson's Creek in Hamilton, the Isaac Watson House was built in 1708 and now stands within the John A. Roebling Park nature preserve. It is recognized to be the oldest house in Mercer County and was originally restored by NJDAR in 1964 as part of the New Jersey Tercentenary Celebration.
Isaac Watson was the son of Quakers who came to this country from England in the late 17th century. Furniture within the stone house dates to Colonial times, with several pieces made by New Jersey craftsmen. The DAR has also added an outside butterfly and pollinator garden to the landscaping surrounding the house.
More information.
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Heritage Area Partners renew with Crossroads
Heritage Area Partners are at the core of the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. While each location and organization tells its own story, together they form a tapestry of experiences that make an indelible mark on our communities and neighbors.
Scores of sites and historic associations across New Jersey are already benefiting from the enhanced visibility that comes with a Heritage Area alliance. The Crossroads team is here to help, whether your site is open seven days a week or not yet ready to receive visitors.
This month, we're happy to welcome our newest Heritage Area Partner, the
Readington Museums
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For more information on how your organization can take part in the benefits of Heritage Area partnership, contact our Program Manager, Kate Knowles-Brindle by
e-mail or by phone at 609-341-3246.
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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.
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Alexander and Eliza Hamilton: A Match Made in Morristown
August 5 and 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Historian Pat Sanftner leads a mile-long walking tour through Morristown to sites associated with Hamilton's tenure there during two winter encampments while serving as aide de camp to Washington.
Reservations and more information.
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Edible History - Ice Cream at Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold
Visit the home of the Waln Family and help make ice cream the old fashioned way, with historic recipes. Crank the mechanical ice cream maker in the shade of the Ice House - then sample a few flavors. History never tasted so good!
More information
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Drama, Scandals and Untold Stories at Ringwood Manor in Ringwood
Get the scoop on the sensational stories, gossip and drama that stretch as far back to 1765 at the home of Washington's mapmaker, Robert Erskine.
More information and reservations.
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Second Sunday at the Wyckoff-Garretson Museum House in Somerset
from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Spend an afternoon in the 18th century as docents share stories of colonial life at this lovingly restored classic Dutch home.
More information
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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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