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CROSSROADS GAZETTE
Your resource for all things Revolutionary New Jersey!
October 2018
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Meet our new Neighbors... Revolutionary Neighbors, that is!
A new school year brings new Revolutionary Neighbors! Five 18th century New Jerseyans join our collection of short biographies revealing how people from all walks of life and regions within the state dealt with struggles over personal responsibility, community and public service during the years of the American Revolution. Their stories help us understand the complex nature of a conflict that was both a war for independence and a civil war that was a daily part of life over the course of eight years.
Luke Miller and
Helen Kortright Brasher. They join a roster of more than 60 New Jerseyans whose lives were forever changed by the war, whether they were Patriots, Loyalists or chose to remain neutral. Our Revolutionary Neighbors
web page features their stories along with ideas that teachers and homeschoolers can use to bring these dynamic biographies to life for students.
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Explore spooky autumn Revolutionary New Jersey!
Leaf peeping... harvest events... ghost walks: they're all part of the fun in Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area this month! Working with our Heritage Partners, we've put together a selection of events across New Jersey this fall, available on our
website. For example:
Enjoy the sights and harvest bounty of food festivals and farm fun! History, crafts and tasty treats combine at Bordentown's
Cranberry Festival, while
country living
in the Pinelands comes to life at Batsto Village. Paint pumpkins at Fleming Castle, discover the link between herbalists and witchcraft allegations at Peachfield, and learn about farm-to-table at the Frazee House Harvest Homecoming.
We're adding more fun all the time, so visit our
website
often for special events, historic site open houses and more.
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Ride Through History at County Weekend Events
Fall is the perfect time to take a road trip close to home. Leaves are turning shades of orange and red, and visits to local sites fit perfectly into busy family weekend schedules. During special weekends in October, these New Jersey counties invite you to pile into the car to explore the rich heritage nestled in our neighborhoods. There's something appealing for everyone in the family, from Colonial and Revolutionary-era stories all the way up to events and places that made the headlines in the 20th century. Visit the events' websites for maps and descriptions, and plan your route today!
The Elias Van Bunschooten Museum and Van Campen Inn are among the historic sites open during Sussex County's Heritage Weekend, October 6 and 7. Explore picturesque Northwestern New Jersey and discover its role in the Revolution and beyond.
More information.
On October 13 and 14, Somerset County's Weekend Journey Through the Past invites you to explore the heart of the Crossroads Heritage Area. Discover the homesteads that hosted Washington's generals during the Middlebrook encampment, hear Colonial-era music at the Vermeule Mansion, and even discover the history of the game of golf!
More information.
Camden County invites you to a full week of activities from October 13 to 21. Find the unexcavated site of a 18th century fulling mill, visit a Revolutionary encampment, sample life on a Quaker farmstead and explore more recent history, too.
More information.
And on October 20 and 21, Union County's Four Centuries in a Weekend encourages you to pick your route by historical era, from farm life in 1686 through to modern-day commerce and industry. Kids of all ages can pick up history trading cards featuring notable county residents from all four centuries! Bring your Passport To Your National Parks and collect Crossroads-themed stamps at more than 20 locations linked to the Revolutionary era.
More information.
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250th session informs, draws new ideas
Sidewalk reenactments of life in Revolutionary New Jersey, bus tours highlighting Crossroads storylines, large-scale battle reenactments and using technology to tell our Revolutionary story were among concepts raised by representatives of historic sites and organizations from across the state who met on September 20 to share ideas on how to capitalize on the 250th anniversary of the United States to promote New Jersey's Revolutionary heritage. This was the latest in a series of meetings conducted over the past year to prepare for the 250th.
New Jersey Historical Commission Executive Director Sara Cureton and Crossroads Executive Director Janice Selinger kicked off the meeting with an update on national planning efforts and progress on supporting Crossroads activities. Lindsey Morrison, State and Local Relations Manager for the American Battlefield Trust, also outlined her organization's role as the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission's non-profit partner. Cureton noted that, in accordance with
legislation passed this summer, the Historical Commission will be selecting the state's non-profit planning partner this fall.
Many thanks to NJM Insurance Company for hosting the session at its West Trenton headquarters.
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Crossroads Executive Director Janice Selinger (in dark suit) congratulates student filmmakers Kylee Strasser (L) and Katie Rosa (R). Washington Association of NJ President Kevin Tremble looks on at right. |
Student filmmakers honored with Washington Association award
Crossroads was on hand as the Washington Association of New Jersey awarded its first G. Washington Prize for Creative Excellence to Morristown High School student filmmakers Katie Rosa and Kylee Strasser for their work, Historic Morristown: A Beacon of Light in the American Revolution.
Crossroads Executive Director Janice Selinger, herself an award-winning journalist, was honored to speak and present the award at the September 15 film premiere at Washington's Headquarters Museum in Morristown.
More information on the development of this insightful film, Morristown's role in the Revolution and the organization supporting Morristown National Historical is available at the Washington Association of New Jersey
website.
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Historic groups benefit from Crossroads Heritage Partnerships
Crossroads gets its strength from more than 200 historic sites, historical societies and heritage organizations that help tell the story of the American Revolution in New Jersey. From museums that are open every day to interest groups working to preserve local history, Crossroads helps members enhance their visibility and build community engagement as they help visitors discover Revolutionary New Jersey!
Whether your site is open seven days a week, isn't yet ready to welcome visitors, or is somewhere in between, Crossroads can help.
Heritage Partners enjoy enhanced visibility as well as workshops and professional development seminars to help them make the most of their historical offerings.
Could your organization benefit from affiliating with Crossroads? Contact our Program Manager, Kate 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
Explore 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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Battle of Chestnut Neck Memorial Event in Port Republic
Salute the heroism of the local militia in facing British forces who attacked the South Jersey privateer base at Chestnut Neck 240 years ago.
More information
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Walking Tour of Monmouth Battlefield and tour the Craig House in Manalapan
October 7 at 1:30 p.m.
Meet a guide at Monmouth Battlefield State Park Visitor Center for a guided tour of the Revolution's longest battle, then visit the historic Craig House. More information.
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Lord Stirling 1770s Festival at the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge
October 7 at 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hear the town crier, watch Revolutionary War detachments maneuver, and ask questions as colonial craftspeople ply their trades on the estate of Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling.
More information
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George Washington's Military Leadership: lecture at Fort Lee Historic Park in Fort Lee
Historian Dr. Ed Lengel discusses Washington's strategic vision for winning the war without losing the American people or hopes for future prosperity, in this talk suitable for all ages.
More information.
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Board of Trustees
Thomas H. Kean, Honorary Chair ● Ira Jersey ● Laura Szwak ● Brian Levine ● John Hardiman
●
Dale Florio ●
Seth Hahn ●
Joshua Henne
● Linda Kellner ● Sally Lane ● Chris Paladino ● Rocky Peterson ● Patrick Ryan ● Milly Silva
Crossroads Staff
Janice Selinger, Executive Director ● Tanika Jones, Office Administrator ● Kate Knowles-Brindle, Program Manager ● Sue Kaufmann, Communications and Social Media Coordinator
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