Posted on 05/15/2004 4:55:49 PM PDT by Coleus
The Revolutionary War battlefields at Princeton, Monmouth and Trenton are among the most endangered by sprawl and development in the nation, according to a new study by the U.S. National Park Service.
The forthcoming review, "The Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Historic Preservation Study," examines 825 nationally significant battlefields and sites associated with the two wars.
The New Jersey sites are among the nation's 28 most significant sites in danger, said Rep. Rush Holt (D-12th Dist.).
"The study looks at the historical significance of the battlefields and the threat to them and, like anything in New Jersey, they are threatened with being overrun by development," Holt said.
New Jersey historians and preservationists say they are not afraid of losing the battlefield land already under government protection, but they do feel more can be done to improve the state-owned Princeton and Monmouth battlefields. The land where the two battles of Trenton were fought in 1776 and 1777 was paved over long ago, but some key historic sites have been saved by the state or city.
"Urbanization, suburban sprawl and unplanned commercial and residential development are constantly encroaching on many of the nationally significant battlefields of the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812," the study says. "This encroachment poses a severe and growing risk to the preservation of such battlefields and related sites."
Holt is co-sponsoring legislation to amend the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996, established to protect Civil War battlefields, so it can be expanded to provide grants to protect Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites. The measure is pending in the House Committee on Resources.
Jerald Paul Hurwitz of Plainsboro, president of the Princeton Battlefield Area Preservation Society, said yesterday there are two concerns for the future of the battlefield. One is a plan by the Institute for Advanced Study, which occupies 800 acres adjacent to the 85-acre battlefield property, to erect 15 homes for faculty on 24 acres. Hurwitz said the institute has declined to sell the land, and the issue is before the planning board.
Hurwitz said preservationists also are concerned about a plan by Princeton Township to build athletic fields on institute property bordering the battlefield.
The state-owned Thomas Clark House, a landmark on the battlefield, has been closed to visitors since August as workers attempt to control a mold problem. John Mills, the battlefield curator, said it is hoped the house, which serves as a visitors center, can be reopened by the end of the month. Princeton needs more than $1 million in capital improvements, but funding has been tight because of state budget woes.
The Princeton battle was fought on the bitter cold morning of Jan. 3, 1777, when Washington's ragged army attacked the rear of the British army after making an all-night march from Trenton. It was an important victory -- was second only to the Christmas win over the Hessians at Trenton eight days before -- in saving the American struggle for independence.
"The battle was fought over hundreds of acres," Hurwitz said. "Nassau Hall (the Princeton University landmark) was part of the battle. It was intregal to the history of New Jersey, part of the 'Ten Crucial Days' that Washington launched. This was Washington really at his best, showing his true genius."
At Monmouth Battlefield, a 1,818-acre site in Manalapan and Freehold townships, a golf course and luxury homes are rising on one edge of the battlefield.
"We know we are on the national landmark endangered list because of the threat from surrounding development," said Garry Stone, battlefield historian. The state's Division of Parks & Forestry estimated the battlefield needs $5.4 million for a new visitors center, additional land and building renovations, according to a state wish list for capital improvements.
Preservationists say the situation is better in Trenton, where the state has renovated the Old Barracks Museum adjacent to the Statehouse and the nearby Trenton Battle Monument. The state also has plans to make the Old Barracks and Statehouse grounds into a new state park, but has not determined how it would be funded.
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This is disturbing...
My family on both sides fought in the American Revolution.
I visit grave sites of family who fought where they are buried in valley in Pennsylvania.
God Bless our Troops.
This is disturbing...
My family on both sides fought in the American Revolution.
I visit grave sites of family who fought where they are buried in valley in Pennsylvania.
God Bless our Troops.
The NPS can't manage what they have now.
This is a problem all over. Civil War sites are threatened too. It is important to at least keep the land open for further archeological study and later development as a park.
A battlefield doesn't have to be maintained like Gettysburg. Just keeping it in farmland or woods is a start. It is important to keeping the memory of the Revolution, War of 1812 and Civil War alive.
I know, just ask the Grant family
New Jerseyan takes up a charge for tomb of President Ulysses Grant
| New coin could help save NJ’s Revolutionary War battlefields | |
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(05/15/04) PRINCETON - The site where George Washington led troops in the Battle of Princeton is now in danger of being developed. But a new commemorative coin could come to the rescue of the historic Princeton site and other Revolutionary War battlefields across the country.
Historians say the Battle of Princeton was a turning point in the war. Historical societies say a lack of commitment from the government keeps them from turning a profit. But two bills before Congress could help save these cherished sites. One provides federal preservation grants; the other creates commemorative coins. It would take several years to get the coins minted. Until then, local historians say they'll continue fighting off the developers. |
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My family were among the original settlers in New Jersey in the 17th century. Many of them fought in the continental Army on New Jersey battlefields, including three generations of my direct ancestors. That being said, New Jersey doesn't understand freedom anymore; the state doesn't deserve those hallowed grounds. I left over 20 years ago (to join the Army) and I never looked back, just as my ancestors didn't look back when they left England.
This country does seem to forget that a war was fought to gain independence from Britain. I am very interested in the Revolutionary War period and wish we had more monuments, memorials to those marvelous men who fought against all odds to claim victory of the most powerful military in the world. I am reading a great book on Nathanael Greene at this moment and it describes many of the battles mentioned as endangered ground in this article. They should NOT allow any cheap development to happen on those battlefields. Leave it open field if anything. That should not be touched.
Start a Tax-free foundation and purchase the land!>>
Good idea, for how much can I count you in :)
Sorry, didn't win the last lotto.
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