Revolutionary War Historic Sites in New Jersey: See the list

June 19, 2024

When you think of Independence Day, images of parades, barbecues, and fireworks come to mind. Another image to imagine is time travel.

This day – and other days throughout the summer – are also a good opportunity to explore the historic sites in North Jersey that transport the public back to the time of America’s struggle for independence from Great Britain.

Here are some events (free unless otherwise noted) to consider:

Fort Lee Historical Park, Fort Lee

Fort Lee Historic Park opens on July 4th. It is worth travelling back in time to the summer and fall of 1776, when this area of North Jersey was a major battlefield of the Revolutionary War. From 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the film “1776,” starring Ken Howard and William Daniels, will be shown in the Visitor Center auditorium. From 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., there will be a cannon shooting and musket demonstration near the historic part of the park, where there is a reconstructed officer’s cabin.

Go: Enter on Hudson Terrace Jdirectly south of the George Washington Bridge and across from Bruce Reynolds Boulevard. There is a visitor center with information and background on this period in history. The park also offers stunning views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. There is also paid parking. For more information on Fort Lee Historic Park, visit njpalisades.org/fortlee.html or call (201) 461-1776.

Revolutionary War Sites, Essex County

North Jersey residents interested in learning more about Revolutionary War history on Independence Day can view several sites mapped by local historian Al Frazza, a Little Falls resident, on his website, Revolutionary War New Jersey.

Go: These sites in Essex County include the Battle of Second River Memorial in Belleville Section of Branch Brook Park, named after the battle that took place in this area in 1777, Bloomfield Cemetery on Belleville Avenue on the Bloomfield/Glen Ridge Border, where several officers of the Revolutionary War rest, and the Hessian House on Millburn Avenue in Millburn Two Hessian officers are said to have hidden there during the Battle of Springfield in 1780.

New Bridge, Historic Pier, River Edge

The old cliche “George Washington slept here” definitely applies to this historic area near the Hackensack River, which served as a news gathering post, battlefield, camp site, and military headquarters for Washington’s army. The Steuben House, located on this site, was Washington’s lodgings. New Bridge Historic Landing is also the site of the bridge used by Washington’s army during its retreat from invading British troops on November 20, 1776. which saved him from defeat.

Go: 1201 Main St. in River bank. The grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset for a self-guided tour, but the historic buildings at New Bridge Historic Landing are open for events only. For more information, call 201-343-9492 (leave a message for the Bergen County Historical Society) or email [email protected]

Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown

It’s one thing to know about the Declaration of Independence. It’s quite another to hear the words of the document that gave birth to a new nation. Morristown National Historical Park will celebrate the Declaration of Independence on July 4th.

Beginning at noon, a “Declaration of Independence Warm-Up” will take place on the grounds of the park where General George Washington’s army camped during the winter of 1779-80. During the warm-up, a park ranger dressed in period clothing will entertain the crowd with stories and jokes and give a “child-friendly” explanation of the Declaration of Independence. This will be followed at 1 p.m. by a “Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence,” where visitors are encouraged to cheer along with the park rangers and the performer condemning tyranny and praising freedom. After the reading, attendees can participate in a mock version of the musket salute, a “feu de joie,” in which soldiers fire one after the other in rapid succession into the air.

Go: 30 Washington Place in Morristown. Visitors are asked to bring water to drink and a chair or blanket to sit on, and to dress appropriately for the weather. The event will take place regardless of weather. Due to limited parking, guests are asked to carpool or walk to the event. For more information, visit nps.gov/morr/index.htm or contact Alexander Parody at (973) 539-2016, ext. 260.

Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news in your local community, subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @ricardokaul