The Bergen County Historical Society presents Events of 1776; The Retreat To Victory at the Bridge That Saved a Nation. 

This year we have George Washington (reenactor John Koopman) on horseback and General Greene along with two other riders, leading the Americans across the New Bridge 246 years later at the exact location. Pamphleteer Thomas Paine wrote about it in The American Crisis; "These are the Times that Try Men's Souls, The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." The second day Americans are attacked and defend the bridge.

We will have skirmishes, lectures, tours in houses & barn, cooking in the outkitchen and children's activities planned throughout the day. The outkitchen is preparing Stewed Beef and Vegetables for the (estimated 60) troops.

The Charleville musket is returned to Historic New Bridge Landing in time for this event. Conservation treatment is completed of the approximately 246 year old musket that was found at New Bridge in 1915. This was made possible by a grant from Americana Corner, a private foundation! X-ray exhibit made possible by Picatinny Arsenal's equipment and historians and will be on view. Conservation by Cultural Preservation and Restoration.

Saturday Schedule: 

7:00 pm - Reading the American Crisis at the New Bridge

Dinner for the Troops at the OutKitchen

Sunday Schedule:

11:00 am - HNBL opens for the public. (Historic homes close for the skirmishes.)

11:30 am - 12:00 pm -  First Skirmish Washington and General Greene on horse back leads troops across the bridge

12:15 pm - 1:00 pm - Nooning - OutKitchen

12:00 pm - Children's Drill Demarest House

12:15 pm - 1:10 pm - Bridge Tour about the American Revolution at New Bridge

1:10 pm - 1:40 pm - Horse Demonstration in the Meadow, Officers and Troops available for talking and demonstrating about military life in American Revolution

1:45 pm - 2:15 pm - Second Skirmishes through the site. (Historic homes close for the skirmishes.)

2:30 pm - Children's Drill Demarest House

2:45 pm  A question of liberty? Join the discussion and debate as citizens debate the merits of the declaration

4:00 pm - HNBL closes

Schedule subject to change!

Reenactor Registration Link

Event Poster

The American Crisis

Jump to the 5th Paragraph, Paine describes the British having the advantage:

"Our first object was to secure the bridge over the Hackensack, which laid up the river between the enemy and us, about six miles from us, and three from them. General Washington arrived in about three-quarters of an hour, and marched at the head of the troops towards the bridge, which place I expected we should have a brush for; however, they did not choose to dispute it with us, and the greatest part of our troops went over the bridge, the rest over the ferry..."

We have warm cider, cider donuts and refreshments in the Tavern to purchase.

Ticket reservations can be made here online or pay at the gate: $12 adults, $7 students, BCHS members free.

Free parking available on site at the corner of Hackensack Ave & Main St, River Edge or take the train to “New Bridge Landing” on the Pascack Valley Line out of Secaucus Junction.

Dogs are permitted on site on a leash but not in the houses.

HNBL, 1201 Main St, River Edge, NJ.