New Bridge Landing Celebrates Washington's Birthday [PHOTOS]

Music and dancing filled the Steuben House as visitors toured all three historic homes at the site

George Washington, portrayed by Rodger Yaden, along with local townspeople celebrated the anniversary of his birthday with a country ball this past weekend at New Bridge Landing. Eighteenth century dancing was featured in the Steuben House under Denise Piccino’s direction with Ridley & Anne Enslow providing musical accompaniment on fiddle and hammered dulcimer. Each of the historic site's three houses, the Steuben House, Campbell-Christie House and Demarest House were open for visitors to tour and enjoy hot cider and crullers. Visitors may also see open-hearth cooking demonstrated in the Out-Kitchen. A tiger-stripe maple bedstead, reputedly used in a local home where George Washington stayed during the 1780 Steenrapie Encampment, is …

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Officials Vow to Preserve Historic Site

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg cites recent loss of Zabriskie home as impetus to preserve New Bridge Landing.

Over the years, New Bridge Landing and its historic houses have survived most of the Revolutionary War, the rising of the Hackensack River, and new development in surrounding towns River Edge, Teaneck and New Milford. And on Wednesday, the historic landmark in Bergen County may have seen the sowing of seeds towards its preservation as the state Department of Environmental Protection representatives and government officials vowed to begin working together and resolving their past issues. The meeting was called by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg who cited the recent loss of the Zabriskie House in Paramus as the impetus for all parties to being working as one. "The loss of the Zabriskie House, while a different situation, should spur …

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Spring Royalty Welcome Summer to New Bridge Landing

The annual Pinkster Fest at New Bridge Landing welcomed the return of summer

This weekend, New Bridge Landing became a celebration point for the May Queen and King during the annual Pinkster festival to welcome the return of summer. Pinkster is the Dutch name for Whitsunday or Pentecost, when a flower-crowned May Queen and King led merry-makers from door-to-door, gathering dyed eggs, butter, bread, cream, coffee, sugar, and tallow candles in baskets for a festive supper and dance. This year’s celebrate features country-dances in honor of the May Queen with Ridley and Anne Enslow on fiddle and hammered dulcimer; a reading of the Pinkster Ode (Extracts from Ode, Composed on a May Morning by William Wordsworth, May 1826); cooking demonstrations of Dutch donuts or “oliebollen” and the obligatory dance around the …

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PHOTOS: Red Coats Invade New Bridge in Historical Society Reenactment

During a Revolutionary War weekend, members of the British 4th Battalion took over New Bridge Landing

British infantry claimed New Bridge Landing as their own this past weekend as the Bergen County Historical Society presented "Bergen County: The War of Outposts, March 23, 1780." Throughout the weekend members of His Majesty’s 22nd Regiment of Foot and Loyalist 4th Battalion, NJ Volunteers, performed the day-to-day duties of soldiers, such as sewing, leatherwork, musket maintenance and military drills. While the soldiers were showing off their skills, River Edge resident and New Jersey historian Kevin Wright presented a Power Point program on Saturday about "Historic New Bridge: The Bridge That Saved a Nation." On Sunday, a lecture was held on the British daybreak attack against the Continental outpost at Paramus Church in Ridgewood on …

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PHOTOS: Remembering the British Invasion of New Jersey

235th anniversary of the British Invasion was commemorated at Historic New Bridge Landing.

The Bergen County Historical Society commemorated the 235th anniversary of the British Invasion of New Jersey with a weekend of living history and scholarly presentations at New Bridge Landing. Members of the 35th Regiment of Foot and the 3rd New Jersey Regiment  represented both sides of the conflict by performing military demonstrations which showed the life and times of the common soldier of the American Revolution. Cooking and Baking demonstrations took place in the Out-kitchen behind the Campbell Christie House, and visitors were able to tour the historic homes on the site. Refreshments were available at the Tavern, located inside the Campbell Christie House. Inside the Steuben House, Todd Braisted gave a presentation on the raising …

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Keith Jensen

11:45 am on Friday, November 25, 2011

TODAY. Don't forget to celebrate "Evacuation Day" when in 1783, the last British troops left New York City, three months after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, thus ending the American Revolution. Deborah hosted a great event last weekend and Todd did a fantastic job leading his team or re-enactors in a battle in Fort Lee; alas he was British, and appropriately tarred, feathered and ridden on …   more ›

A Nation at War: Re-enactors Honor Fallen Soldiers

Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln visited historic New Bridge Landing this weekend

To honor American veterans of all wars and to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the Bergen County Historical Society presented “A Nation at War” this past weekend at New Bridge Landing. The three-hour long event included the Second Rhode Island Volunteers, a Civil War re-enactment troop, Abraham Lincoln reading the Gettysburg Address, and a ceremony to honor all fallen soldiers. The day was rounded out with several lectures including “Medicine in the Civil War,” “The Home Front-Waldwick and Ridgewood in WWII” and “A Time with Abe Lincoln."

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New Bridge Landing Transforms for Spooky Homecoming

The history of the 'pompion' or pumpkin was told.

Bergen County Historian Kevin Wright shared the history surrounding the pumpkin, which European colonists called “pompion,” a word describing “a large ripe melon,” and English speakers later corrupted into “pumpkin.” Throughout the evening, visitors were able to partake in period refreshments at the Campbell-Christie House, a restored 18th century tavern. The Demarest House, beautifully restored by the Blauvelt-Demarest Foundation, will also be open, displaying Bergen Dutch furnishings. Non-perishable food items were collected during the evening by the BCHS and donated to the Center for Food Action.

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Bergen County History Collection Seeks New Home

Former president of BCHS amassed collection of Bergen County history worth more than $130,000

To call Robert Griffin a history buff is quite the understatement. Over the past 30 years, the former president of the Bergen County Historical Society and retired professional genealogist compiled an extensive collection of rare atlases, maps, and other ephemera related to New York, New Jersey and Bergen County history. His collection, valued at more than $130,000, comprises more than 1,600 books, many of which are rare volumes, unique 18th and 19th century documents, including slave documents, and multi-volume sets.  Like many retired people, however, Griffin and his wife are looking to downsize. After moving from Englewood to Bucks County, Pa., he no longer has enough space to keep the massive collection as he would like.  "The …

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Kicking Up Their Heels At The Calico Frolic

Dancing and Lemonade were part of a traditional Calico Frolic held at New Bridge Landing.

Guests were able to dance the night away at the Calico Frolic, a traditional 18th Century social gathering, held at the Steuben House at New Bridge Landing and hosted by the Bergen County Historical Society. Music was performed by Ridley and Ann Enslow on fiddle and hammered dulcimer. Dance Mistress Denise Piccino was available to instruct eager beginners in basic dance steps. Some people wore period clothing although it was not required.

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