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CROSSROADS GAZETTE
Your resource for all things Revolutionary New Jersey!
February 2017
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Whether the weather is balmy or chilly, Revolutionary New Jersey offers plenty to see and do in February! Discover the contributions of African Americans during the war for independence, celebrate the birthday of our first president and more at Crossroads Heritage Partner sites across the state.
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Celebrate a Revolutionary Black History Month
New Jerseyans from all walks of life were faced with difficult choices during the American Revolution. People of African descent found their options were complicated by the issue of slavery.
Black New Jerseyans fought on both sides during the war for independence, with their reasons are as varied as their situations. Some served the Continental Army or local militias as substitutes for their owners, in exchange for freedom after the war. Freed black men fought according to their conscience, either in support of the young United States or Great Britain. Others ran away to join the army of their choice. Revolutionary Neighbors
Oliver Cromwell,
Colonel Tye and
Jacob Francis were among the men whose choices affected the rest of their lives.
This February, explore the Crossroads as Heritage Partners tell the stories and sacrifices of African Americans in uniform for the United States.
Local Colonial African-Americans' Contributions to America
Hear the stories of the unsung Plainfield-area African Americans who risked their lives during the Revolutionary era on
February 4 as Nancy Piwowar, president of the Historical Society of Plainfield presents "Local Colonial African-Americans' Contributions to America" at the
Plainfield Public Library. 1:30 p.m.
More information.
The Black Soldier in the Revolutionary War
Historical interpreter Joe Becton takes on the persona of Rhode Island Militiaman Jack Sisson on
February 5 at the Hillsborough Reformed Church as he shares the stories of black soldiers, Loyalist and Patriot, enslaved and free at the birth of the United States. This Black History Month presentation is sponsored by the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition and the Hillsborough Reformed Church from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
More information.
Tory Jack Day honors covert patriotism
Tory Jack, an enslaved person in the Abraham Staats household, reportedly supported the patriot cause by spying on the British during the Revolution. South Bound Brook's
Abraham Staats House honors this Revolutionary hero annually, with this year's program featuring the Evolution of the Blues on
February 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Interpreter and musician Joe Becton performs a range of styles from spirituals and gospel to ragtime, blues and Jazz.
More information.
Lecture explores impact of Black and Native American Troops at the Battle of Monmouth
African Americans fought on both sides during the Revolution's largest artillery battle. Learn about their contributions and the Native American alliance with the British as Monmouth Battlefield State Park hosts a program on February 19 at 2:00 p.m. More information.
Commemorate Three Centuries of African American Soldiers
Find out more about the military contributions of African American soldiers at the
Old Barracks' annual Black History commemoration on February 25 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dedicated historians and reenactors will represent African Americans who fought in wars throughout the nation's history, including the 6th Regiment USCT of the Civil War and the Harlem Hellfighters of World War I.
More information.
Visit our
website for more information!
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Mark the 285th anniversary of Washington's Birthday
Celebrate George Washington's birthday in the state where he spent more time than anywhere else during the American Revolution: New Jersey! Join our heritage sites at special events this month to celebrate his accomplishments and learn something you might not have known about the father of our country. Following are just a few of the events honoring our first president throughout the month:
February 12
Video, props and audience participation shed new light on
Washington's path through Ewing Township at the
Benjamin Temple House. Interns from The College of New Jersey lead this creative approach to the story of the journey to the Battle of Trenton during the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society's Washington's Birthday celebration at 2:00 p.m.
More information.
February 19
Morristown National Historical Park welcomes
author Jeff Finegan to Washington's Headquarters Museum at 2:00 p.m. to share insights on Washington's life before and after the Revolution. He'll speak on his books
Colonel Washington and Me and
'Tis Well... The Life and Death of George Washington.
More information.
The
Dey Mansion in Wayne will be alive with music, dance, hearth cooking and military drills as the Bergen County Militia/Heards Brigade and other reenactors celebrate Washington's birthday. Visit from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to join the fun!
More information.
Who doesn't feel like dancing at a birthday party? The sounds of hammered dulcimer and fiddle accompany the Tricorne Dancers at
Historic New Bridge Landing during the
Country Ball to celebrate Washington's 285th birthday. Stop by between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to meet George Washington, visit the 3rd New Jersey Regiment camp, visit the outkitchen and more.
More information.
Kids will love the toys, games and gingerbread at the
Washington's Birthday celebration at the
Johnson Ferry House in Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville. The event, running from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., also includes FAQs on our first president, music in the parlor and more.
More information.
February 20
The
Washington Association of New Jersey hosts its 143rd Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Madison Hotel in Morristown. This year's keynote speaker is Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Edward Larson, author of
The Return of George Washington.
More information and reservations..
February 25
Who was George Washington before and after his service to the nation? Visit his last wartime headquarters,
Rockingham, to learn about his life and the times that shaped him as a leader. The site's
285th birthday tours between 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m. include an exactingly-recreated uniform. Reservations are required for admittance.
More information.
Visit our
events page for the full list of Washington's birthday events.
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Heritage Partners program grows with new membership
More than 200 Revolutionary War-related historic sites, historical societies and heritage organizations in New Jersey benefit from their membership as Crossroads Heritage Partners. Marketing support for events and tours, information on grants opportunities, and networking opportunities with other organizations throughout the state are just some of the advantages of membership. Volunteers and staffers from Heritage Partner groups are also eligible to participate in training and professional development sessions, including our upcoming costuming seminar.
Could your organization benefit from affiliating with Crossroads? 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 webpage
to join us today!
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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. Visit our
website
and
Facebook page
for even more activities through the month.
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History Videos at Washington Crossing State Park
February 4,
11, 18 and 25 at 2:00 p.m.
John and Abigail Adams, turncoats, prisoners of war and influential women are among the topics covered in this weekly series. More information in the park newsletter. More information in the
park newsletter.
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Middlebrook Five Generals Tour in Somerset County
February 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Join the Heritage Trail Association on a bus tour of all five existing houses where George Washington and other key generals were headquartered during the 1778-79 Middlebrook Cantonment. Reservations required.
More information.
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Hearthside Dinner at the Gibbon House in Greenwich
Enjoy a gracious dinner crafted from 18th century recipes at the hearth of a circa 1730 Cumberland County home. Reservations are required for this popular event!
More information
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Tour the Proprietary House in Perth Amboy
February 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Visit the nation's only remaining original Royal Governor's mansion and learn the story of Ben Franklin's Loyalist son.
More information
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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
●
Richard Bousquet
● Dale Florio ●
John Hardiman ● Ira Jersey
● Linda Kellner ● 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
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