Washington Crossing State Park and Johnson Ferry House [NJ]

Description

On December 25, 1776, the icy waters of the Delaware River provided the setting for one of the pivotal events of the American Revolution. The Continental Army had little to celebrate that Christmas and seemed beaten by hunger and cold. After crossing the rough winter river at night, General George Washington and the Continental Army landed at Johnson's Ferry, at the site now known as Washington Crossing State Park. At 4 am, they began their march to Trenton where they defeated the Hessian troops in an unexpected attack. This battle was quickly followed by the Second Battle of Trenton on January 2, 1777, and the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777. The Johnson Ferry House, an early 18th-century gambrel roof farmhouse and tavern near the Delaware River, was owned by Garret Johnson, who operated a 490-acre colonial plantation and a ferry service across the river in the 1700s. The house was likely used briefly by General Washington and other officers at the time of the Christmas night crossing of the Delaware. The keeping room, bedchamber, and textile room are furnished with local period pieces, probably similar to the furniture used by the Johnson family from 1740 to 1770. The site also includes an 18th-century kitchen garden.

The site offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, short film screenings, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Monmouth Battlefield State Park and Craig House [NJ]

Description

One of the largest battles of the American Revolution took place in the fields and forests that now make up Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The park preserves a splendid rural 18th-century landscape of hilly farmland and hedgerows that encompasses miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas, a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse (the Craig House), and a visitors center. During the Battle of Monmouth, the Craig House was the home of John and Ann Craig and their three children and was used as a hospital by the British forces in June of 1778.

A second website for the park can be found here.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Fort Trumbull State Park [CT]

Description

Visitors to the site can receive an interactive history lesson at the visitor's center, or just walk the Fort and ramparts for a view of the Thames River. The fort contains informative markers and displays, a touchable cannon and artillery crew display, and gun emplacements. The fort interior features 19th-century restored living quarters, a mock laboratory, and a 1950s era office furnished to resemble a research and development lab at the facility. The visitor center contains state-of-the-art multimedia theaters, computer touch-screen interactive exhibits, 3-D models, and extensive graphics and text panels. The center depicts over 225 years of military history and technological advances from the Revolutionary War to the Cold War. Some of the main display themes include the September 6, 1781 attack by the British under the command of Benedict Arnold, the U-boat menace during World War II, and the anti-submarine efforts during the Cold War.

A second website for the site, maintained by the Friends of Fort Trumbull, can be found here.

The site offers short films, exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Putnam Memorial State Park [CT]

Description

This was the site of the Continental Army's 1779 winter encampment under the command of General Israel Putnam. The site consists of the remains of the encampment, reconstructed log buildings, and a museum.

The site offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Historic Smithfield Plantation [VA]

Description

William Preston was about 45 years old when he moved his family to Smithfield in March of 1774. He and his wife had seven children at that time; five more children were born at Smithfield. Colonel Preston began at once to make Smithfield a productive and profitable plantation. Smithfield was first opened to the public in 1964; and today is a living document of the past.

The site offers tours, living history demonstrations, workshops, classes, and other occasional educational and recreational events.

Cliveden of the National Trust [PA]

Description

The Cliveden National Trust Historic Site is located in the Germantown neighborhood in Philadelphia. The house served seven generations of Philadelphia's Chew family, and housed British troops during the Revolutionary War.

Today, the home serves as a historic house museum, and offers field trip programs for schoolchildren grades 3–8, and exhibits on the history of Philadelphia. The website offers a history of Cliveden, research information, a calendar of events, electronic educational resources, and visitor information.

Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site [NY]

Description

In 1776 56 loyalists signed the Declaration of Dependence at the Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site.

The Manor Hall currently serves both as a local and national history museum. Highlights of the Hall include the building itself, a collection of Presidential portraits, and exhibits on local history. The website offers a brief history of the site, visitor information, and information regarding upcoming events.

Nathan Hale Homestead [CT]

Description

One of the first of thousands of patriots who would die in the war for American independence, Hale is Connecticut's official State Hero. He was born and spent most of the short life he courageously sacrificed on this 400-acre farm. Hale, a Yale-educated schoolteacher, was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Continental Army in 1775. A year later he volunteered to go behind British lines on Long Island to gather military intelligence desperately needed by General George Washington. The British captured Hale and, when they discovered he was a spy, executed him. He was 21. In 1776, Hale's father rebuilt the Homestead, which has changed little since. Its furnishings include collections amassed by pioneer Connecticut antiquarian George Dudley Seymour and several Hale family possessions.

The homestead offers exhibits and tours.

Indian King Tavern Museum [NJ]

Description

The Indian King Tavern, built circa 1750 by a wealthy Philadelphia merchant and ship owner named Matthias Aspden, is a fine example of an early American public house and tavern. The tavern was originally built as a three-and-one-half story brick building. By 1764, it had been enlarged to 24 rooms with five cellars. On its north elevation, a two-story addition was constructed. Commonly referred to as "the ark," this part of the building was used in connection with tavern operations. Thomas Redman purchased the property in 1775. Redman, a Quaker, quickly raised the ire of local patriots with his outspoken pacifism. In January 1777, he was arrested and jailed for his frequent public pacifist readings. Shortly after his release from prison in May of that same year, he sold the tavern to Hugh Creighton. Creighton continued to operate the premises as a tavern and inn, retaining Thomas Smith, the innkeeper for previous owner Thomas Redman. Before long, Smith and the tavern's new owner found themselves at the center of political events that would forever change the course of history for the colony of New Jersey and the nation.

The museum offers tours.

Governor John Langdon House

Description

John Langdon rose from modest origins to become a merchant, shipbuilder, Revolutionary leader, signer of the United States Constitution, and three-term governor of New Hampshire. The house he built for his family in 1784 expresses his status as Portsmouth's leading citizen and was praised by George Washington, who visited there in 1789. Its reception rooms are ornamented by elaborate wood carving in the rococo style. After Langdon's death in 1819, the house was occupied by other leading families. At the end of the 19th century, Langdon descendants purchased the house and restored it to its 18th-century state, adding on a substantial wing designed by McKim, Mead, and White to house modern conveniences.

The house offers tours.