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Home , Battle of Princeton

Revolutionary War Initiatives Focus on Preserving ’s historic Landscape

By Amy Cradic

From 1775 to 1783, Each area is organized through vol- property. A “management entity” is New Jersey played center stage untary partnerships between the named by Congress to coordinate to a series of events crucial to the National Park the partners’ voluntary actions. nation’s struggle for independence. Service and local governments, Pivotal battles were fought at organizations and individuals aimed The views Trenton, Princeton and Monmouth. at maximizing resource protection, each heritage area as a unique and Policy was made and speeches, public appreciation, education and ambitious experiment in conserva- including General George recreational opportunities, and citi- tion and tourism, providing a venue ’s farewell orders, zen involvement. to celebrate an area’s cultural and were written. natural resources. As the main A heritage area is defined as an benefactor from this federal initia- Although few may be aware identifiable region with a strong tive, New Jersey has a two-fold of it, more Revolutionary War bat- sense of place, where the settled interest in supporting and helping tles and skirmishes took place landscape tells a story about the to establish the Crossroads of the in New Jersey than in any other generations of people who have National state and, more remarkably, much lived there. It is a living landscape Heritage Area. A heritage area of the state’s landscape over which recognized for its important history, would elevate public awareness Washington’s Army traveleden natural processes, cultural tradi- about the state’s role in the route from battle to battle remains tions, and economic and social American Revolutionary War while open space. forces that have influenced the preserving a remarkable era of his- area’s human settlement and tory, and through establishing its Realizing the opportunity and shaped its landscape. boundaries, it would provide fur- potential to preserve and interpret ther opportunity to preserve and this unusual wealth of history and The proposed National Heritage acquire the state’s culturally signifi- natural resources, Congress recently Area will be defined, in part, by a cant open space. Not only would authorized the Secretary of the series of connecting trails between New Jersey be ensuring the contin- Interior to conduct a special Revolutionary War sites, including ued existence and care of its his- resource study to determine the major sites at Morristown National toric resources, but also the feasibility of establishing Historical Park, Washington Revolutionary War landscape on New Jersey’s first National Crossing State Park, the Old which they still stand. Heritage Area – Crossroads of the Barracks of Trenton, Princeton American Revolution. Morristown Battlefield and Monmouth Over the next 18 months, public National Historical Park, a unit of Battlefield State Parks. Along all meetings are being organized by the National Park Service, is spear- trail routes, efforts will be made to the Delaware and Raritan heading the study through a coop- identify and interpret the integra- Greenway to seek public input and erative agreement with the tion of open space, farming and support for the heritage area initia- Delaware & Raritan Greenway, a Revolutionary War strategy through tive. For more information about private nonprofit organization oper- interpretive signs and educational the initiative or the public meetings ating in central New Jersey. materials available to trail users. and dates, contact Historic events and remaining Denise at 973-539-2016 ext. 201 or Since 1984, Congress has desig- structures will be incorporated into [email protected]. nated 23 national heritage areas. the main trail system, helping to bring the Revolutionary War story to life.

Although Green Acres is target- ing significant Revolutionary War sites for acquisition and New Jersey’s heritage area will include several public parks, many areas within its boundaries would remain in private ownership. Designation of a national heritage area does not involve federal regulation of private Revolutionary War Initiatives In New Jersey

◆ The Washington-Rochambeau ◆ The 225th Anniversary of the National Heritage Trail was American Revolution authorized by Congress in January 24, Celebration Commission was 2001. The intent of the Act is to con- established by Executive Order duct a National Historic trail feasibility from the Governor for the purpose to study of the Washington-Rochambeau plan, promote and coordinate Route. The 600 mile route extends from commemorative programs and activities Rhode Island to Virginia and will to celebrate the 225th Anniversary of connect to the Crossroads of the the American Revolution from American Revolution National Heritage 2001 to 2008. study area in New Jersey.

◆ The and ◆ The New Jersey DEP, Division of Ten Crucial Days Events Parks and Forestry’s and Revolutionary War Campaign Promotions planning is underway is for the 225th anniversary of the Battle designed to promote public protection of Trenton, Washington Crossing the and appreciation for the rich historical Delaware and the Battle of Princeton. resources associated with the time peri- Cultural Affairs and the NJHC are od. The campaign includes initiatives working with the City of Trenton, such as: a driving tour brochure and the Old Barracks, DEP’s Division of ◆ A Special Resource Study and other promotional materials; special Feasibility Study to determine Parks and Forestry, Office of Travel events, including a lecture series; and Tourism, the Princeton Historic the eligibility of a Crossroads and a statewide Revolutionary War of the American Revolution Society, the Washington orientation/ wayside exhibit program. Crossing Historic Park and the National Heritage Area in www.state.nj.us/dep/forestry/parknj/revwar.html New Jersey National Park Service to promote the has been authorized by event and prepare a proposal for the Congress under the direction of the 225th Commission. National Park Service. A National ◆ The New Jersey DEP, Green Heritage Area designation could Acres Program, Crossroad of benefit New Jersey by providing the Revolution Project Area is a ◆ The Washington Victory Trail federal assistance toward protection landscape preservation/trail corridor was created by a resolution by of open space and historic sites and project that will protect and link New Jersey legislators requiring landscapes associated with the Revolutionary War sites including the the Historical Commission and the American Revolution. major sites of Morristown National NJ Department of Transportation to Historic Park, Washington's Crossing place signage along the 11-mile route State Park, the Trenton Barracks, that General and ◆ The American Battlefield State Park and Protection Program (ABPP) his troops walked from Washington’s is a Monmouth Battlefield State Park. In Crossing State Park to Trenton. Federally funded program with the partnership with local government and A second resolution was introduced intent goals of identifying and assess- non-profit groups, Green Acres mission on Jan 22, 2001 to extend the route ing threats to Revolutionary War and is to create an interconnected system of from Trenton to Princeton Battlefield. the battle locations and open spaces to protect the sites and associated historic properties. The landscapes of the American Revolution ABPP has been designed to focus the in New Jersey. attention of battlefield researchers to a www.state.nj.us/dep/greenacres/currentstate.html standard methodology that will pro- vide local planners, preservationists, and others with creditable information. ◆ The Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) was established in 1999 to over- ◆ The 225th Anniversary of the see expenditures of funds gener- American Revolution, A ated for open space and farmland Commemorative Initiative of acquisition and historic preserva- the National Park Service to use the tion. Through the Green Acres 225th Anniversary of the American Program, GSPT funding is being Revolution to enhance public under- used to acquire significant standing of the various meanings and Revolutionary War properties enduring legacy of the Revolution. statewide. Goals include interpretation and education; communication; research; and resource protection.