June 2021
Crossroads Gazette
Comemmorate the Battle of Monmouth this Month!
June 28 marks the 243rd anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth, the 1778 engagement that proved that the newly-trained Continental Army could stand up to what was considered the world’s best fighting forces.

Thunderstorms, mosquitoes and oppressive humidity plagued both Continental troops and the combined British, Hessian and Loyalist forces as they trekked across the state to their inevitable conflict on the fields outside current-day Freehold in the longest one-day battle of the Revolution.
 
Friends of Monmouth Battlefield commemorate the battle with Revolutionary War Days throughout June, including walking and driving tours, and informative talks. While the troop movements and combat of an anniversary battle reenactment will not be held this year, living historians will be holding encampments at Monmouth Battlefield State Park on June 19, 20, 26 and 27. Visit the Friends’ website for more details. 
Mark Flag Day with Revolutionary Neighbor Francis Hopkinson

What's a new nation without a flag of its own? On June 14, 1777, Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States, and it's commonly held that it was first flown over the Continental Army's Middlebrook encampment later that month. While generations of Americans have learned the legend that Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross made the first flag, historians now generally accept that it was designed by New Jerseyan Francis Hopkinson.  
 
Writer, satirist, legislator, Patriot: all describe Hopkinson, who lived in Bordentown for the last several years of his life. Besides designing the flag, he represented New Jersey in the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence. Learn more about his remarkable life and contributions to the early United States on our Revolutionary Neighbors web page.
Grant Funding Supports Crossroads Heritage Tourism Programs
Crossroads is grateful to receive grant support from a network of corporate, foundation and individual funders who recognize New Jersey's heritage travel potential. Financial contributions and grants give us the ability to build new offerings like our heritage travel app and our proposed Streetside Storytellers program.

Roma Bank Foundation recently awarded partial funding for Crossroads Streetside Storytellers program, which will provide training for residents of three New Jersey cities to build Revolutionary history tour programs in their neighborhoods. Crossroads Executive Director Janice Selinger (pictured L) accepted the check presented by Investors Bank Branch Manager/AVP Edward Allison (pictured R), who also serves as a Crossroads trustee.

Crossroads has also received generous funding from the George Ohl Jr. Trust and the F.M. Kirby Foundation for continued development of our heritage travel app.

Interested in offering financial support for Crossroads’ ongoing work to help people connect to Revolutionary New Jersey? Contact our Executive Director Janice Selinger at jselinger@revolutionarynj.org for more information.
New Web Page Catalogs Crossroads Heritage Partners

Crossroads' Heritage Partner program offers valuable benefits to member historic sites, historical societies and heritage organizations in telling New Jersey's Revolutionary stories. From long-established museums 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.

As we work together toward the 250th anniversary of the United States, relationships built among Heritage Partners will also help sites and groups build joint program offerings and reach even more potential visitors. Visit our website for the county-by-county roster of member sites.

This month, we're happy to welcome our newest Heritage Partner, the Newark History Society.

Whether your site currently offers online programs, isn't yet ready to welcome visitors or is somewhere in between, Crossroads can help. Contact our Program Manager, Amy Osterhout by email for more information, or visit our Heritage Partner membership webpage to join us.
Stay Updated with Crossroads All Month Long
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Board of Trustees
Thomas H. Kean, Honorary Chair ● Sally Lane, Chair ● Edward Allison ● Steve Ayscue ● 
David Capozzi, Esq. ●  Laura Crowley, CPA ● Iris Delgado ● Dale Florio ● Jennifer Godoski ● 
Seth Hahn ● Joshua Henne ● Jeff Kaszerman ● Patrick Murray ● Michael Murphy, Esq. ●
Tony Perry ● Rocky Peterson, Esq. ● Henry Rinder, CPA ● Laura Szwak

Crossroads Staff
Janice Selinger, Executive Director ● Sue Kaufmann, Communications Director ●
Amy Osterhout, Program Manager ● Roseann Butterfield, Office Administrator