An edited video recording of the proceedings is viewable on the Afton streaming platform at a cost of $25 through April 19. Tickets are available at https://heritagetrail.org/.

Speakers and reenactors at the 2025 MIddlebrook Symposium.

“The Middlebrook encampments are such a fascinating episode in the history of New Jersey and of the Revolutionary War that have not seen the attention they deserve because [the historic sites] are split up,” said Monmouth University archaeologist Richard Veit. “They are in people’s backyards and pocket parks across Somerset County.”

Dr. Veit showed historic maps overlaid with modern interstate highways that reveal how history happened all around the daily activities of Central New Jerseyans. He also displayed images of bullets, cannonballs, musket pieces, boot buckles, and other artifacts he and his students have found in digs near major highways such as Route 18 and at the Washington Campground in Bridgewater. And he showed high-tech “LiDAR” images that reveal Revolutionary fortifications on the local landscape.

Another presenter, Dr. Michael Beck, expanded on his thesis that Middlebrook was the “center stage” of the entire Revolutionary War, as he asserted at the 2024 symposium, because the natural fortress of the Watchung Hills provided a strategic counterweight to the British dominance of New York City throughout the American Revolution.

Historic Map of Middlebrook encampments by W. Scull, 1779, annotated with modern highways by Monmouth University student Michael Brown, 2020, in “Retracing the Middlebrook Encampments of the Revolutionary War: A Cartographic Analysis.

Following a series of skirmishes over food and other provisions in June 1777, the British General William Howe marched 18,000 troops toward Bound Brook to draw out Washington’s army from the safety of the hills to fight them on the open plains. When Washington refused to take the bait, “it signified that Howe was no longer able to occupy New Jersey. The battle for New Jersey had been won by the Continental Army,” Beck said.

David Lang describes the Battle of Bound Brook.

Symposium organizers have announced a $5,000 prize for a paper based on “original research on the Middlebrook Spring Encampment, the Middlebrook Cantonment, or other aspects of the war in the Somerset County or central New Jersey area. With a deadline of December 31, 2025, the prize is funded by the generous support of the Heritage Trail, the Friends of Jacobus Vanderveer House, and anonymous donors. Additional information is available here.

At the recent symposium, historian Larry Kidder gave a presentation on the New Jersey militia who served their communities during the American Revolution by helping to keep the peace. He explained that the militia were not trained and equipped to fight a revolution, yet many of them played important roles, particularly during the Forage War of early 1777 across Central Jersey.

Historian William Welsch described the evolution of the Continental Army from a state of disarray at Morristown in January 1777, into a professional and better organized army at Middlebrook, under the direction of General George Washington.

David Lang of the Middlebrook Theatrical Society and former Heritage Trail board member gave his presentation in the uniform of a Revolutionary soldier while displaying his own annotated maps illustrating how the Battle of Bound Brook unfolded in April 1777.  Mr. Lang described how Hessian soldiers under contract with the British captured Bound Brook for a few hours, capturing prisoners, intelligence, cannon, food, and other provisions before retreating. A key engagement in the Forage War, the plunder of Bound Brook directly led to Washington’s strategic decision to encamp at Middlebrook following the battle that spring.

Dressed as a Hessian jaeger fighting for the British, Dan McCarthy also reported on the Battle of Bound Brook from the perspective of the Hessians, relying on the diary of Johann Ewald, the Hessian commander, who planned and directed the attack on April 13, 1777.

The symposium was opened by Somerset County Commissioner Melonie Marano who described the county’s plan for preparing for the 250^th anniversary of the United States next year. Plans include the creation of a park on the site of the Battle of Bound Brook, and improvements to the county’s Washington Valley Park where some of the Middlebrook encampment occurred. The county recently expanded the park to include a lookout where General Washington could keep a watch on British movements in the valley below, as portrayed in the photo at the top of this article.

Reenactors on horseback at the Wallace House, Washington’s headquarters during Middlebrook.

Next year, historians and history buffs will again gather at Raritan Valley Community College on March 21, 2026, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. to explore the importance and legacy of the two Middlebrook encampments, when thousands of American troops and leading generals dominated the New Jersey battle zone by holding the high ground of the Watchung Mountain range.

The Middlebrook Symposia are funded, in part, by the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission. The series was developed and organized through the joint efforts of several local historical organizations including the Heritage Trail Association, Inc., Friends of Abraham Staats House, Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, Somerset County Historical Society, Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, Friends of Bridgewater History, Wallace House State Historic Site, Washington Campground Association, and New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution.

The post Finally, the Story of Central Jersey’s Rev War Encampment Is Told appeared first on Discover Central New Jersey.

THE IN-PERSON SYMPOSIUM IS NOW SOLD OUT. SIGN UP FOR THE LIVESTREAM!

“Valley Forge” and “Morristown” are famous names of winter encampments of George Washington and the Continental Army during arduous winters of the American Revolution. Less famously—but with equal strategic importance—the Continental Army also encamped twice in Somerset County, at a place called “Middlebrook.”

On the eve of the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States, historians and history buffs will gather at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey, on March 15 to explore the strategic importance of the two Middlebrook Encampments, where thousands of American troops and leading generals dominated the New Jersey battlefield by holding the high ground of the Watchung Mountain range.

George Washington reenactor John Koopman writes a letter at The Wallace House in Somerville, which served as the Middlebrook headquarters.

This year’s symposium is the third in a series of four, and will focus on the Forage Wars, which refers to the competition between the American and British armies to feed themselves from the bounty of the Garden State. Tickets may be purchased to attend in person or virtually, from anywhere in the world. The program will run from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. Virtual attendees will have access for 30 days.

“The encampments at Valley Forge and Morristown may be more famous, but Middlebrook was just as important—in some ways, more so,” said Event Co-Director Linda Barth. “Protected by the Watchung hills, the Continental Army at Middlebrook waged a successful ‘forage war,’ throughout the central part of New Jersey.”

“My research suggests that Middlebrook represented a prolonged siege in which Somerset County played the key role in keeping the British Army confined to New York,” said Dr. Michael Beck, who will unveil a new video on the strategic importance of Middlebrook.

Funded in part with support from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission, the program will run from 9 AM to 3:30 PM.  The in-person event is now sold out, but tickets to the virtual event an be purchased at https://heritagetrail.org or directly here for $25.

The March 15 symposium will begin with Somerset County Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano updating the County’s plans for the 250^th anniversary of the nation in 2026. She will be followed by a video entitled, “The Forage Wars: The Battle for New Jersey,” created by Dr. Michael Beck. Next, David Lang will speak on “The Battle of Bound Brook,” followed by Dr. Richard Veit on “The Archaeology of Middlebrook.” Dr. Veit is Professor of Anthropology and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Monmouth University. A North American historical archaeologist, his research focuses on the colonial Middle Atlantic Region. He is the author, co-author, or editor of eight books.

Additional presentations will be William Welsch on “The Two Middlebrook Armies,” Dan McCarthy on “The Hessians at Middlebrook,” and Larry Kidder on “the New Jersey Militia.” Mr. Kidder is a retired history teacher and the author of five books about New Jersey history including A People Harassed and Exhausted: The Story of a New Jersey Militia Regiment in the American Revolution; Ten Crucial Days: Washington’s Vision for Victory Unfolds; and The Revolutionary World of a Free Black Man: Jacob Francis, 1754-1836.

The Middlebrook encampments occurred in the spring of 1777 and the winter of 1778-1779, when 10,000 Continental troops spread out among the present-day municipalities of Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Manville, and Bedminster in what is known as a “cantonment” because of its duration and the durability of the huts they constructed.

This series has been developed and organized through the joint efforts of several local historical organizations including the Heritage Trail Association, Inc., Friends of Abraham Staats House, Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, Somerset County Historical Society, Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, Friends of Bridgewater History, Wallace House State Historic Site, Washington Camp Ground Association, Raritan Valley Community College, and New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution.

Not sure about the Symposium? The following video from Somerset County provides a nice primer on the importance of Middlebrook:

The post Importance of Middlebrook Encampments during Revolution focus of Symposium March 15th appeared first on Discover Central New Jersey.

Best known as the site of the infamous 1935 Lindbergh kidnapping trial, the Hunterdon County Courthouse is one of the oldest surviving county courthouses in New Jersey. Built in 1828, it serves as a fine example of Greek Revival civic architecture.

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BR&W is the “little railroad that could,” serving the community for over 50 years. The volunteer staff is dedicated to preserving railroad history and offering the opportunity to experience old-fashioned steam railroading in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Making round trips from historic Flemington, they offer trains and events for every occasion, from holiday-themed events to date night and rail-fan specials; there’s something for everyone!

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Grounds for Sculpture is a spectacular, sprawling private park near Trenton filled with more than 270 contemporary sculptures, unusual landscape features, and quiet places to sit and contemplate. Adults and families will find much to enjoy here, including fabulous foods, particularly in the adjacent RATS restaurant. Admission charged.

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William Trent House was built about 1719 by the man for whom Trenton was named. It became the house of the first governor of New Jersey, Lewis Morris. Hessian Troops occupied the house during the Revolutionary War. The museum boasts outstanding restored woodwork and a remarkable basement kitchen. The grounds are stunning gardens, including heirloom vegetable gardens in the summertime.

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The State Park celebrates the place where George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River and landed in New Jersey on December 25, 1776, en route to crucial victories at Trenton and Princeton. Originally preserved for its historical significance, the park is also well known for its trails and wildlife habitat. A wide variety of migrating birds use the stream and ravine as a resting place and for nesting.

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Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage are preserved Eighteenth Century homes that played critical roles during the Revolutionary War when the Wallace House served as General George Washington’s home while the Continental Army was encamped three miles away at Middlebrook for the winter of 1778-1779. The Wallace House is authentically preserved in much the way it would have looked when Washington lived here. Usually open Weds-Sun., but call ahead to confirm exact hours.

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Red Mill Museum Village is a stunning collection of historic buildings including a Grist Mill, the Mulligan Quarry buildings, and several relocated historic structures. The museum displays permanent and changing exhibits showcasing a collection of agricultural, industrial and domestic artifacts. The museum hosts lectures, workshops, living history reenactments and other special events throughout the year. Weekend hours expand during spring/summer.

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History that stretches back to 1758! It was built to house soldiers involved in the French and Indian War. It played several roles during the Revolutionary War, particularly during December 1776 when two victories in the first and second Battles of Trenton turned the tide in favor of the American Patriots. Today the the Old Barracks preserves the history of its iconic building, while educating the public through daily interpretation of the site, unique programming, special events, family-friendly tours and a gift shop.

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