					~ A Crossroads Celebration ~ *Battle of Bound Brook:* Washington's Army at Middlebrook 1777 ~ 1779 Living History Weekend at the Abraham Staats House *April 10th & 11th, 2010*

The BATTLE of BOUND BROOK ~ 2009

“Washington's Army at Middlebrook”

Saturday, April 18 & Sunday, April 19

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2009
Media Contact Only: Rhonda Florian, 732-563-4807, floriangel1@comcast.net
For the public: 732-469-3198 or www.staatshouse.org

Towns Rev Up For American Revolution

The boom of the cannon and the crack of the musket will be heard on April 18-19 when the Battle of Bound Brook will be fought in the streets of Bound Brook and South Bound Brook. During Battle of Bound Brook 2009: Washington’s Army at Middlebrook 1777-1779, re-enactors and historians will bring the Middlebrook encampments of 1777–1779 to life.

“This is a very exciting event,” said Tom Harabin, President of Friends of Abraham Staats House. “It makes history come alive when people can see the soldiers living their daily lives in the encampment just as they did when Washington’s army was here over 200 years ago.”

Opening ceremonies for Battle of Bound Brook 2009 will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 at the Old Stone Arch Bridge and will then be followed by street battles in Bound Brook and South Bound Brook. Soldiers, camp followers, and sutlers will be encamped at the Abraham Staats House in South Bound Brook Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other weekend activities include historic house tours, lectures, demonstrations, presentations, a pasta dinner, and a pancake buffet breakfast.

Harabin encouraged families to bring their children to the Battle of Bound Brook. “I think the kids love to see the soldiers drilling. Of course, they really get a kick out of seeing them fire the muskets and the cannon. And in the process, the kids are learning the history of our area!” Valerie Ulrich, a resident of Somerset, agreed. “My five-year-old son, Carl, just loved Battle of Bound Brook last year. The re-enactors made the Revolution alive and real for him. He can’t wait to go again!”

The Abraham Staats House is located at 17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook. From Route 287 N or S, use Exit 10 to South Bound Brook. Von Steuben Lane is located off Route 527/Main Street.

The street battle, encampment, grounds, and parking at Abraham Staats House are free to the public. Admission will be charged for lectures, house tours, pasta dinner, and pancake breakfast. For a complete listing of events and admission fees, visit www.staatshouse.org or call 732-469-3198.

Detailed Information

Contacts:

South Bound Brook

SBB Historic Preservation Advisory Commission & The Friends of Abraham Staats House, Inc.

Tom Harabin: 732-469-3198

Kathy Ormosi: 732-356-4789

Brian & Kathy Faulks: 732-469-5836 (evenings)

Web site: http://www.staatshouse.org

Bound Brook

Linda Brnicevic

Bbcitizensgroup@aol.com

732-690-3438 (cell)

Event information: www.battleofboundbrook.org

“Battle of Bound Brook 2008: The Encampments at Middlebrook”

Saturday, April 12 & Sunday, April 13 ~

Living History in South Bound Brook and Bound Brook

Experience Living History and learn about the American War for Independence! Featured speakers include author Arthur S. Lefkowitz, historian H.Kels Swan and Wayne Daniels, senior interpreter at the Old Barracks in Trenton. 18^th Century Soldier’s Encampment and Street Battles, Ceremony at Old Stone Arch Bridge, Pasta Dinner, Sunday Buffet Breakfast, Historic House tours and More!

Join us for an exciting and historic weekend April 18 – 19, 2009! The two-day program explores the American Revolutionary War during the timeframe of the Battle of Bound Brook and Middlebrook encampments, 1777 – 1779. Learn about and experience this important period in New Jersey’s and America’s history. Weekend activities include:

« 18^th century Soldiers’ Encampment on the grounds of the Abraham Staats House, 17 von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, 08807. Come walk through camp and see what life was like for American and British troops during the time of the American Revolution.

« Historic house tours: The Abraham Staats House, with the original structure c. 1740, was home to the Staats family for nearly 200 years and served as the headquarters for George Washington’s “Drillmaster” Baron von Steuben.

« Lectures and presentations at the Abraham Staats House, throughout the weekend, include:

Collector Earl Becker offers a talk and display of his collection of trade beads and wampum (Sat. 1 pm. / Also on Sun. 11 am.)
Wayne Daniels, Senior Historical Interpreter at the Old Barracks, Trenton, presents “The Approaching Storm,” ~ chronicles New Jersey as it is drawn inexorably into the turbulence of the American Revolution. (Sat., 2 pm.)
Eminent historian H. Kels Swan – presents information and a map of the first Middlebrook Encampment of 1777. (Sunday, 12:30 pm.)
Noted historian and author Arthur S. Lefkowitz, a color slide presentation of 18^th century artistry during the American Revolution (Sunday, 1 pm.)
Gary DePaolo, New Jersey Militia, Heard’s Brigade, portrays a surgeon of the Colonial era. Learn about medical practices of the 18^th century and view surgical instruments used during that time.
Tom Harabin, President, Friends of the Abraham Staats House, plays music of the Colonial Era (throughout the weekend.)

Saturday, April 12

10 AM ~ 5 PM Soldiers Encampment and historic Abraham Staats House, 17 von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, NJ, 08880 open to the public /font>

10 AM Soldiers march down Main Street, South Bound Brook to the Old Stone Arch Bridge, site of the original Battle of Bound Brook in 1777. The bridge site is located on the Bound Brook side of the Queens Bridge, at the border of Bound Brook and Middlesex on Railroad Ave.

10:30 AM Ceremony and presentation at the historic Old Stone Arch Bridge, c. 1730, one of the oldest surviving stone bridges in New Jersey and a rare example of colonial highway engineering. Key speakers are slated to include Somerset County Freeholder and Cultural and Heritage liaison Patricia Walsh, the Mayor of Bound Brook, Carey Pilato, and Historian Wayne Daniels.

11 AM March of the Soldiers and Street Battle in the vicinity of the Queens Bridge, Memorial Library (402 E. High St., Bound Brook, 08805) and adjacent Old Presbyterian Graveyard in Bound Brook. Following the ceremony at the Old Stone Arch Bridge, the soldiers will march north on South Main Street, Bound Brook, to Bolmer Ave. to reenact a street battle. After the battle, troops will move to the Old Presbyterian Graveyard (adjacent to the Bound Brook Library).

11 AM

11:30 AM Prayer and Honor Guard ceremony at the Old Presbyterian Graveyard in Bound Brook, final resting place of many of the area’s early patriots and founders. Following ceremony, soldiers make their way to Holy Family Academy for a Colonial lunch.

11 AM ~ Bound Brook Memorial Library: Featuring a Revolutionary War slide show presentation,

2:30 PM speaker and bake sale.

12 ~ 1 PM Lunch for soldiers at Holy Family Cafeteria, Bound Brook.

1 PM Soldiers return to the Soldiers Encampment at the Abraham Staats House. Street Battle in vicinity of Queens Bridge and Main Street, South Bound Brook

American and British troops demonstrate military tactics and street battle over the Queens Bridge and onto Main Street, South Bound Brook.

At the Soldier’s Encampment/Abraham Staats House:

Inside the Abraham Staats House: Special lectures, exhibits and tours inside the Abraham Staats House (Fee: $10 for adults & $5 for 18 years and under.)

1:00 PM Earl Becker, presentation on trade beads and wampum of the 18th century.

2:00 PM Wayne Daniels: Lecture: “The Approaching Storm”

Drills and Battle Demonstrations, British and American soldiers of the

American Revolution.

On the grounds of the Abraham Staats House (free):

1 ~ 5 PM Visit the living history American Revolutionary Soldiers Encampment at the Abraham Staats House c. 1740, (17 von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook). Come see life as it existed for the soldiers, camp followers and others who lived the American past.

2 ~ 5 PM Gary DePaolo, New Jersey Militia, Heard’s Brigade, Surgeon of the Colonial era. Learn about medical practices of the 18^th century and view surgical instruments used during that time.

2 ~ 5 PM Military Drills, Demonstrations, Contests, Camp Life, House Tours.

Living history demonstrations, , soldiers drilling and practicing military tactics, an 18^th century tavern, fowling, angling and boating exhibits, sutlers (merchants) selling colonial goods, sewing, basket weaving and cooking, period music and refreshments at the camp. The soldiers will be drilling during the afternoon, just as they did 200 years ago (No fee for activities on outside grounds of the Abraham Staats House.)

5:00 PM Soldiers Encampment and Abraham Staats House closed.

4 PM ~ 8 PM Pasta Dinner: Eat with the troops at a great Pasta Dinner, available for purchase at the Fellowship Hall of the Reformed Church of Bound Brook in South Bound Brook (located in South Bound Brook, on Clinton Street) from 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Live Music by Tom Harabin. Adults: $8, Seniors: $7, 5-12 years: $6, 4 and under: Free.

Sunday, April 19

7:30 AM – 12 Buffet Breakfast: South Bound Brook Firehouse Co. #1 Firehouse. Eat with the soldiers and colonial camp followers at the famous All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Buffet Breakfast at the Firehouse on Edgewood Terrace, available for purchase from 7:30 a.m. – 12 noon. Adults: $9, Seniors: $8; under age ten: $6, under age 5: free.

10 AM Flag Raising Ceremony~Abraham Staats House

10 AM ~ 4 PM Soldiers Encampment at Abraham Staats House open to public

At the Soldier’s Encampment/Abraham Staats House:

Inside the Abraham Staats House: Special lectures, exhibits and tours inside the Abraham Staats House (Fee: $10 for adults & $5 for 18 years and under.)

11:00 AM Earl Becker, presentation on trade beads and wampum of the 18th century.

12:30 PM H. Kels Swan: "A Map of the First Middle Brook Encampment, 1777"

11:00 PM Lecture, Slide Show by Author Arthur S. Lefkowtiz: When Artwork

Speaks: Eyewitness Images From the American Revolution" The American Revolution was accurately recorded by a number of artists. Noted historian Arthur S. Lefkowitz, author of four books about the American Revolution, will present a color slide presentation of 18th Century artistry in the form of studio executed history paintings, portraits, illustrations and rapidly executed drawings done in the field.

On the grounds of the Abraham Staats House (free):

2 - 4PM Soldiers Drills and Battle Demonstration on the grounds. Watch the American and British soldiers as they perform military maneuvers of the American Revolution.

3 PM Battle Demonstration

4 PM Soldiers Encampment/ Abraham Staats House closed to public.

Directions: I-287, Exit 10, Rt. 527 (Easton Ave to South Bound Brook) to Von Steuben Lane (approx. 3/4 mile) Follow Von Steuben Lane to end, driveway entrance and parking for house.

Information: www.battleofboundbrook.org

About the Annual Battle of Bound Brook Weekend:

The annual Anniversary of The Battle of Bound Brook, launched in 2001, is a multi-community event created to raise pride and awareness in our area’s historic character and vital contribution to the American struggle for independence. The event also supports preservation of key Revolutionary War sites, including the Abraham Staats House in South Bound Brook and the historic Old Stone Arch Bridge in Bound Brook.

The Friends of Abraham Staats House, Inc. has received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. The weekend lectures have been funded, in part, by a grant from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and Friends of Somerset County Culture & Heritage, Inc. The Abraham Staats House also receives support from the Borough of South Bound Brook, which owns and maintains the property.

Parking for events in South Bound Brook is available along Main Street and along public streets in the area of the Soldiers Encampment. Parking in Bound Brook is available throughout the town. Intermittent street closings are expected during the weekend in South Bound Brook, and Bound Brook to accommodate the march of the soldiers.

Battle of Bound Brook Web sites: Visit www.battleofboundbrook.org and www.staatshouse.org for event schedules, information and updates.

ABOUT:

The Battle of Bound Brook and Middlebrook Encampments

On Sunday, April 13, 1777, a four-column force of 4,000 British Crown troops led by Lord Charles Cornwallis attacked a small American garrison of about 500 commanded by General Benjamin Lincoln and located in the town of Bound Brook. The objective: surround the town, capture the garrison and provisions located at this patriot stronghold and gain a foothold in the war against the American Revolutionary army. In the surprise attack, an advance column led by Hessian Jaeger scouts fighting for the British were pinned down by Colonial soldiers who put up a spirited resistance at the Old Stone Arch Bridge located near the Queens’ Bridge.

The skirmish bought precious time for the bulk of the American force in Bound Brook as British forces poured into the area. When a second column of 1,000 British soldiers charged over the Queen’s Bridge to attack, the Colonials retreated, escaping the trap. The American army regrouped in the area later in 1777, in a larger encampment called First Middlebrook. General George Washington’s army was also settled in the winter and spring of 1778-79 in a Second Middlebrook encampment, in the area of Bound Brook. Nearly 10,000 troops gathered at Middlebrook, with attendant artillery camps, hospitals, commissaries, post office, artificers, quartermasters stores, corrals and other military operations situated in nearby locations. General Washington and many of his officers stayed in homes in the area, near to the main encampment. General Baron Frederich von Steuben made his headquarters at the home of Abraham Staats in South Bound Brook, today known as the Abraham Staats House. www.battleofboundbrook.org

The Abraham Staats House

17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook

During the American Revolution, the house was owned by American patriot Abraham Staats, marked as an enemy of the Crown by the British. His family hosted General Baron Frederich von Steuben, drillmaster of the American Revolutionary Army, who used the house as headquarters during the Second Middlebrook encampment in the winter of 1778-79. Research indicates the earliest portion of the house dates from around 1738, with sections added around 1800 and 1840 by the Staats family, which owned the home for 200 years. Following the Battle of Bound Brook in April 1777, a retreating British column crossed the Staats’ property, taking items which Abraham later made claim as war damages. The home was the setting for visits by General George Washington and other key figures during the War. The Abraham Staats House was purchased by the Borough of South Bound Brook in 1999 for historic preservation. The South Bound Brook Historic Preservation Advisory Commission and Friends of the Abraham Staats House, Inc. are dedicated to preservation of the house, which has been placed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places.

The Old Stone Arch Bridge

This triple-arch bridge is one of the oldest surviving stone bridges in New Jersey and a rare example of colonial highway engineering. Construction of the bridge was authorized by the Legislature in 1730. It was probably built soon thereafter to span the Green Brook, a channel of the Bound Brook, and form part of a causeway that crossed a large area of marshy ground along the Bound Brook and Raritan River. The bridge played a significant role in the defense of Bound Brook during the Revolutionary War, and it is one of the few existing battlefield resources in New Jersey for which a first-hand action account exists. The diary of Hessian officer Johann von Ewald records the fighting along the causeway during the Battle of Bound Brook in April 1777. Made of locally quarried rough sandstone and shale, the bridge spans the boundary between Somerset and Middlesex counties and the boroughs of Bound Brook and Middlesex. Approximately 85 feet long and 33 feet wide, its remains are almost completely buried by fill on its north side; on the south side they are exposed above the top of the arches, including two large buttresses, one of which is relatively intact.

(Excerpt from “Preservation New Jersey: info@preservationnj.org )

Life in Camp:

Encampment at The Abraham Staats House, 17 von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook

The soldiers and camp followers will be living life in camp much as it would have been in 1777. Visitors may tour the camp, observe camp artifacts and equipment, and see how the troops of the American Revolution, British Crown and American forces, lived and view Camp Food Preparation, Military Training and Drills, Artillery and Small Arms Practice. Members of the reenactor’s units involved in the encampment are dedicated to recreating the history of the American colonial 18th century period through demonstrations, exhibits, lectures, encampments, and interpretations. Equipment used and clothing worn by members is authentic and documented. The men, women, and children who participate volunteer their time to recreate the lives of everyday people struggling for independence during the American Revolution. Members are encouraged to learn 18th century skills and strive for authenticity in their interpretations.

Participating Organizations/Internet Links:

Battle of Bound Brook Web site: www.battleofboundbrook.org

Friends of the Abraham Staats House: www.staatshouse.org

Patriotic American

Co-Host - New Jersey Milita ~ Heard’s Brigade: www.newjerseymilitia.org

Co-Host - Outwater’s Militia: www.outwatersmilitia.com

24th Connecticut Militia Regiment: www.24cmr.org

11^th Pennsylvania Regiment: www.11thpa.org

Lamb’s Artillery: www.lambsartillery.org

Morgan's Riflemen: www.brigade.org/barmem/american/morgans.html

Huntington Militia: www.geocities.com/limilitia

Crown Forces