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CROSSROADS GAZETTE
Your resource for all things Revolutionary New Jersey!
July 2016
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The Crossroads of the Revolution is the place to celebrate the spirit of freedom in July, with patriotic events occurring throughout the state. Cheer the Declaration of Independence, discover Alexander Hamilton's New Jersey roots, take sail from the historic Elizabeth waterfront and more!
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Happy 240th Birthday, America!
Celebrate Independence at the Crossroads of the American Revolution
The Declaration of Independence may have been ratified and signed in Philadelphia in 1776, but the first official Independence Day celebration took place here in New Jersey! Headquartered at Piscataway on July 4, 1778, General George Washington ordered 11,000 Patriots to line the banks of the Raritan River and fire their rifles in a salute called
feu de joie (fire of joy).
Celebrate your independence with an 18th century flair with one of our Crossroads Heritage Partners. With Independence Day falling on a Monday this year, there's plenty of time to include our Revolutionary heritage in your holiday plans! Our Fourth of July
webpage lists events all around the state. Just to name a few:
Experience Revolutionary Times in Morristown
Mark America's birthday and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service with Morristown National Historical Park and the Morris County Tourism Bureau from July 2-4. Fireworks, tours of Washington's Headquarters at the Ford Mansion, a performance by United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and more will be capped by the traditional and spirited reading of the Declaration of Independence. (Practice your huzzahs and hisses!)
More information.
Celebrate Freedom of the Press in Bridgeton
During the Revolution, speaking up against British rule could get you arrested! Historic Potter's Tavern will welcome visitors on July 4 afternoon to learn the story of Matthew Potter, Jr. and Cumberland County's pioneer Patriot newspaper, the Plain Dealer.
More information.
Patriotic programs in Cape May
Historic Cold Spring Village celebrates American independence July 2 and 3 with afternoon concerts, family activities, the Story of Old Glory and more!
More information.
WHY July 4th "Begins" at The Metlar-Bodine House Museum in Piscataway
On July 2, discover why Piscataway, one of New Jersey's oldest communities, lays claim to the origins of our nation's Independence Day celebrations. Tour the Metlar-Bodine House and check out its extraordinary new map exhibit, From Indian Trail to Interstate, outlining the town's 350 year history.
More information.
Hear the Declaration where the State Legislature did ... in Haddonfield
The Indian King Tavern, the Revolutionary-era home of the New Jersey Legislature hosts a July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence, where it was read into the official minutes of the state government nearly eight months after its ratification. After the huzzahs, stick around for the parade!
More information.
Celebrate at the home of Washington's Official Mapmaker in Ringwood
Ringwood Manor, home of inventor, engineer, ironmaster and land surveyor Robert Erskine, hosts an 18th century-style celebration on Independence Day. Witness as the Declaration arrives by horse and is read by a reenactor as it would have been in Erskine's day, then sign your name to it with a quill pen and ink. Colonial-era dancers, craftspeople and militia round out the events.
More information
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Discover
your spirit of independence in Revolutionary New Jersey!
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George Washington throws out the first pitch - a strike! |
Revolutionary Spirit Night entertains thousands
Cocked hats may just have outnumbered baseball gloves on June 14 as the Somerset Patriots minor league baseball team and Crossroads sponsored Revolutionary Spirit Night at Bridgewater's TD Bank Ballpark. More than a dozen Crossroads Heritage Partners joined General George Washington, Molly Pitcher and Dr. Ben Franklin in lending a distinctly 18th century flavor to the Flag Day game against the York Revolution.
Baseball fans were immersed in the spirit of independence as soon as they got to the ballpark, where members of the Sons of the Revolution displayed their cannon and members of the Old Barracks Fife and Drum Corps played. General George Washington (John Godzieba) welcomed baseball fans to the park as costumed interpreters from the Heritage Trail Association presented Crossroads flags. Once inside, fans met representatives from several Heritage Partner groups who shared Colonial crafts and games and information on their sites.
Fans were also treated to the sight of Colonial dancing between innings, and the Patriot win was capped with an on-field blast of the cannon from the Sons of the American Revolution. For photos and videos, visit our
website.
A huge huzzah to the Somerset Patriots and everyone who made the night a success. We can't wait for next year's game!
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Celebrate Hamilton in Elizabeth, Union, Paterson and Weehawken
Walk in Alexander Hamilton's New Jersey footsteps this July as CelebrateHAMILTON comes to Elizabeth, Union, Paterson and Weehawken with events from July 7 to 11. Music, theater, art and history will come together to highlight the Founding Father's life and achievements as never before, in the very places where he lived, studied and worked. The events are sponsored by the
Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society.
Several Union County Crossroads Heritage Partners will host performances, tours and discussions on July 7 and 8, focusing on Hamilton's formative years as a student at the Elizabethtown Academy. As a special treat, Liberty Hall in Union will share Hamilton-related documents from their archives which have never before been shown publicly. Snyder Academy in Elizabeth will host a series of performances and discussions, including a session with Elizabeth native Jon Rua of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, sharing his experiences as a member of the cast.
For much more information on the many events taking place from July 7 to 11, visit our
website!
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New Jersey's Tall Ship Meerwald to set sail from Elizabeth
Towering masts and broad sails will grace the Arthur Kill as New Jersey's official Tall Ship, the A.J. Meerwald sails from the historic Elizabeth waterfront July 15-17.
Discover for yourself why this now-peaceful waterway between New Jersey and Staten Island was so important to the fight for independence. Selected excursions will highlight seldom told stories of the area's Revolutionary past, with speakers including Crossroads Advisory Board members Douglas Aumack (Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission), Todd Braisted (Bergen County Historical Society) and Bill Schroh (Liberty Hall Museum).
And as a special treat, several local history organizations will exhibit at the Elizabeth Marina on July 16 as the Meerwald offers free deck tours between sails. This portion of the Meerwald's summer schedule is sponsored by the Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organization. Visit their website,
GoElizabethNJ
, for ticketing and further information on this historic visit!
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1772 Foundation Grants to benefit NJ historic preservation organizations
Congratulations to the Crossroads Heritage partners and many other New Jersey historic preservation organizations which were recently awarded grants through the 1772 Foundation. These matching grants help fund preventive maintenance and accurate historic restoration, and Heritage Partners receiving them include the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society, Morven Museum, Old Barracks Association, Proprietary House Association and Tewksbury Historical Association.
The 1772 Foundation was named in honor of its first restoration project, Liberty Hall in Union, which was built in 1772 and is the ancestral home of the Livingston and Kean families. Visit the New Jersey Historic Trust
website for more information on the foundation and a full list of this year's grant recipients.
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Heritage Partners join, renew with Crossroads
Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area relies on a broad and diverse network of historic sites, heritage organizations, historical societies and allied groups to share the complex story of New Jersey's contribution to the fight for independence. Large and small, they're the vital link making history come alive for visitors of all ages.
We're here to help! Whether your site is open seven days a week or not ready to receive visitors, Crossroads can help enhance your visibility and build community engagement. Scores of sites and historic associations across the state already benefit from their alliance with us, and we're happy to welcome our newest Heritage Area Partner, the
Downtown Bordentown Association.
And we thank the following Partners for renewing with us!
For more information on how your organization can take part and enjoy the benefits of Heritage 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
Celebrate New Jersey history at these events at our partners in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. Watch our
website
and
Facebook page
for even more activities through the month, and watch for our mid-month events email.
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Cumberland County's Race Through Time - a two month long historical scavenger hunt.
July 1 - August 28
Travel the roads of Cumberland County and discover history from the days of the Native Americans through World War II.
More information.
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New Jersey's Tall Ship sails from Alpine
July 7-10, various departure times
The A.J. Meerwald sails on the Hudson River, with talks on topics including the National Park Service Centennial and the river's Revolutionary past.
More information
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Taptoe at the Old Barracks in Trenton
July 8 and July 29 at dusk
Experience the ritual of 18th century Trenton, when the guard would signal the close of tavern taps with fife and drum. The torchlit concert also includes orchestral works. Ticket information.
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Evening hayrides at Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville
July 2, 9 and 16 from 5:10 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Rides explore the 130 acre working farm and are welcomed to take a self-guided tour. Bring a picnic and join in the marshmallow roast, too!
Information and reservations.
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Board of Trustees
Thomas H. Kean, Honorary Chair ● Patrick Murray, President ● Laura Szwak, Vice President ● David Siegfried, Treasurer ● Sally Lane, Secretary ● Leslie Bensley
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Richard Bousquet ● Kathleen Ellis
● Dale Florio ●
John Hardiman ● Ira Jersey
● Martha Lieblich ●John S. O'Donnell ● Chris Paladino ● Milly Silva
Crossroads Staff
Noreen Bodman, Executive Director ● Tanika Jones, Office Administrator ● Kate Knowles-Brindle, Program Manager ● Sue Kaufmann, Communications and Social Media Coordinator ● Cody Knowles, Program Assistant ● Bill Lawton, Development/Fundraising Assistant
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