National heritage area needed to preserve historic American Revolution sites in New Jersey
Your Turn
John Newman

Guest Column

Recently, acting Gov. Richard Codey signed Executive Order No. 48, which is aimed at assisting the passage of the federal bill pending in the House of Representatives, HR 87. This bill, sponsored by Reps. Rodney Frelinghuysen and Rush Holt, and co-sponsored by all of our other representatives, would establish a National Heritage Area in New Jersey focusing on historic Revolutionary War sites in New Jersey. An identical bill, S 825 sponsored by Sens. Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, passed in July.

What is at stake is as much as $10 million in federal funds to help restore and preserve these sites, as well as create educational programs associated with the sites. Although the areas to receive funding do not include every possible revolutionary site, and sites in the south and northwest portions of the state have largely been left out, the current proposal includes 14 counties and more than 200 municipalities.

New Jersey was vital to the revolutionary cause. Washington had headquarters in New Jersey for three winters. More battles and skirmishes were fought in New Jersey than any other state, including the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Red Bank, Monmouth and Springfield. Space does not allow to recount the almost 300 other documented battles and skirmishes or retell the heroics and bravery of our great patriot ancestors. As it stands, small towns, private donors and patriotic organizations like the Sons of the Revolution are left with the task of preserving our state’s grand Revolutionary War history.

While the actions of acting Gov. Codey and our state representatives and senators are highly commendable, Congress must act fast before these precious sites are gone forever. Next year will mark the 225th anniversary of the march of Washington and French Gen. Jean B. de Rochambeau through New Jersey to Yorktown. Time is of the essence.

Unfortunately, Rep. Frelinghuysen had proposed similar bills in the past two congressional sessions. The Senate’s recent passage of the bill and acting Gov. Codey’s executive order may help finally pass this legislation. But the House bill had been referred to a subcommittee on Feb. 3, and six months later it remains there today.

In July, the township of Belleville petitioned Congress to support HR 87 and S 825. It would be wonderful if all other towns — whether earmarked for funds or not — as well as private organizations followed Belleville’s lead and petitioned Congress for the speedy passage of the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area Act. The New Jersey Society, Sons of the Revolution is attempting to contact as many town councils as possible to urge petitions similar to Belleville’s. Let’s show our gratitude to our brave ancestors who fought for our liberty. It is time for the local government, private organizations and the residents to put the pressure on Congress to help us save these sites which were so instrumental to establishing our great country.

John F. Newman, Freehold, is a board member of the New Jersey Society, Sons of the Revolution.