June 2022

Crossroads Gazette

Experience the Revolution in the Fields and on the Roads Revolutionary battle season begins in New Jersey this month. From skirmishes to pivotal battles, it’s your chance to experience just a taste of life for our Revolutionary neighbors. The British invade Haddonfield on June 4 with the Skirmish! Redcoats on horseback will charge, muskets will be fired, and the Continentals will try to stop the British before they head off to the Battle at Monmouth. Meet reenactors before and after the 2 p.m. battle, participate in a yelling contest, enjoy colonial dancing and more. Take a selfie with a soldier! More information.  Mark the 244th anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth on June 18 and 19 as historical interpreters take to the fields of Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan. Watch as Continental Army troops, newly-trained by von Steuben, take on British-Hessian-Loyalist forces. Then, return to the park on June 25 and 26 for additional anniversary tours and programs. More information. Reenactments feature authentic camp life, opportunities to visit with knowledgeable living historians and more!

Meet William Stives, Crossroads' Newest Revolutionary Neighbor

Crossroads' Meet Your Revolutionary Neighbors series reveal how people from all walks of life and regions of New Jersey dealt with struggles over personal responsibility, community, and public service during the years of the American Revolution. Free Black man William Stives enlisted as a fifer in the 3rd New Jersey Regiment for the duration of the Revolutionary War in 1778. Gaining the skills of army life, the 18-year-old learned to play the tunes that would tell soldiers what to do or entertain them on the march. During an army career that brought him to Valley Forge, Monmouth, Morristown, Springfield and more, he moved to an infantry position and took part in the siege and Battle of Yorktown. Following the war, Stives returned to the Sourland Mountains he had visited during his service, marrying and raising a family on the farm he purchased. Read more.

Revolution NJ Resources Available Starting to plan the ways your historic site or heritage group will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States? Looking for creative ways to bring the story to your classroom? Revolution NJ has plenty of resources available to help you plan programs and events that will engage and attract a wide range of visitors and students in the state's commemoration. Visit the professional development page for a growing number of resources including lesson plans, perspectives on how history is shared, and more. The official Revolution NJ strategic framework and interpretive framework, are available here. You're invited to offer your ideas for how the state should commemorate the anniversary! Visit Revolution NJ’s virtual suggestion box for guidelines on framing out your program, event or activity ideas, then return to submit it for consideration by the Revolution NJ planners. Think big, think creatively! Concepts that address one or more of Revolution NJ’s themes and goals will have the best chances for adoption as official programs, events or activities.

Stay Updated with Crossroads All Month Long Our monthly newsletter captures a fraction of the sites, events and stories that make Revolutionary New Jersey come alive. Follow Crossroads on Facebook and Instagram for site news, interesting facts and more throughout the season.

Board of Trustees Thomas H. Kean, Honorary Chair ● Sally Lane, Chair ● Edward Allison ●   Iris Delgado ● Dale Florio ● Jennifer Godoski ● Seth Hahn ● Joshua Henne ● Jeff Kaszerman ● Gail Lalla ● Michael Murphy, Esq. ● Patrick Murray ●   Andrew Musick ● Tony Perry ● Henry Rinder, CPA Crossroads Staff Janice Selinger, Executive Director ● Sue Kaufmann, Communications Director ● Roseann Butterfield, Office Administrator

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