The Great Thanksgiving Hoax
By Richard J. Maybury
Each year at this time school children all over America are taught the official Thanksgiving story, and newspapers, radio, TV, and magazines devote vast amounts of time and space to it. It is all very colorful and fascinating.
It is also very deceiving. This official story is nothing like what really happened. It is a fairy tale, a whitewashed and sanitized collection of half-truths which divert attention away from Thanksgiving’s real meaning.
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On the chilly and drizzly morning of November 20, 1776, a mere four months following the declaration of independence by the Second Continental Congress, the formidable British army launched an invasion of Bergen County. Their objective was to capture the American garrison stationed at Fort Lee, with the garrison’s sole escape route leading across a small wooden drawbridge at New Bridge Landing, now located in River Edge and New Milford.
Continue reading Bergen County Historical Society: Reenactment of the patriots’ Retreat to Victory
Photo of the Museum Collections Committee recently preparing exhibit.
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River Edge NJ, this year Bergen County Historical Society has an exhibit of 18th document box for the Retreat event at New Bridge. It has the GR King George stamp seal impressed in the leather lid by the handle.
The box has been conserved by Cultural Preservation & Restoration since the last time on exhibit several years ago.
photo courtesy of Bergen County Historical Society
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River Edge NJ, On the cold, drizzly morning of November 20, 1776, a mere four months after the Second Continental Congress declared us to be an independent nation, the mighty British army mounted an invasion of Bergen County. Their goal was the capture of the American garrison at Fort Lee; the garrison’s only means of escape lay across a small wooden drawbridge at New Bridge Landing in what is now River Edge and New Milford.
Continue reading Bergen County Historical Society: Retreat to Victory, Events of November of 1776
photos courtesy of Bergen County Historical Society and the Brigade of the American Revolution
by James McKane BAR Retreat Weekend Committee- lead BAR board member at-large, Co-Inspector Commander, 3rd NJ Grays
Fort Lee NJ, the Brigade of the American Revolution’s (BAR) annual Fort Lee event will take place on Saturday, November 18th. Please plan to arrive at Fort Lee prior to 8:30am to make preparations for the event. Fort Lee will be an accurate representation of the chaos of retreat with the central goal of true interpretation for spectators to understand the sacrifices of 247 years ago. Throughout the whole day, soldiers will work on making last-minute defenses while civilians of both armies will do their best to share stories of the struggles of being behind or on the lines of the fighting. There will be presentations and demos throughout the day on 18th century cricket, coffee making, music, and artillery; plus merchants selling goods and the infamous Civilian Contingent fabric sale inside the museum. Prior to the battle reenactment, a quick parade to the center of the city will again take place to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. General Washington and his staff will also be on site to ensure the retreat goes as planned. The Brigade invites all members attending Fort Lee to also attend the Retreat to New Bridge Landing on Sunday, with that in mind, Fort Lee has generously offered their grounds and visitor center for anyone wishing to stay overnight on Saturday. Continue reading 247th Anniversary Weekend Retreat Fort Lee & New Bridge Landing November 18th -19th
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River Edge NJ, The PowerPoint presentation focuses on Paterson as the First Planned Industrial City in the United States founded in 1792 by Alexander Hamilton and the Society for Useful Manufactures. We will explore the City’s history from the creation of the land, approximately 250 million years ago, the first inhabitants (Paleo-Indians through Lenape), the Early European Settlements, the Revolution War, the establishment of the S.U.M., and the major industries that made Paterson world renowned, Silk, Locomotives and Airplane Engine production. An examination of the technologies and people behind these great industries will be highlighted. The talk will conclude with the designation of the National Historical Park and the current developments.
Ridgewood Columbus Day Closing – Monday, October 9th, 2023
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Ridgewood NJ, Monday, October 9th is Columbus Day and all Village offices will be closed. Village Sanitation and Recycling services will not take place that day and the Recycling Center will be closed.
photo courtesy of the Bergen County Historical Society details courtesy of Deborah Powell
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Continue reading Bergen County Historical Society: The 1774 Campbell-Christie House Gets a New Roof
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River Edge NJ, Bergen County Historical Society hosted Baronfest on Sunday October 1st . Historic New Bridge Landing, where the Bergen County Historical Society is located on the west bank of the Hackensack River on Main Street, River Edge, was not flooded like many other spots in the county .
Continue reading Bergen County Historical Society: Baronfest a Family Friendly Hit
photos courtesy of Bergen County Historical Society
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Continue reading Bergen County Historical Society: Baronfest at Historic New Bridge Landing
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Hackensack NJ, the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs, announces the 2024 Bergen County History Grant Funding Program. The 2024 grant cycle is for history projects or programs taking place from January 1 through December 31, 2024. All Bergen County non-profit history organizations and other non-profits that present Bergen County-based history programs are invited to apply. Municipalities and libraries interested in presenting history-focused programs are also invited to apply.
Continue reading 2024 Bergen County History Grant Funding Program
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Ridgewood NJ, while most sources, even the Department of Labor, credit Peter McGuire with the origination of Labor Day, recent evidence suggests that the true father of Labor Day may in fact be another famous union leader of the 19th Century, Matthew Maguire.
Continue reading The Real Maguire – Who Actually Invented Labor Day?
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Burr-Deacon Barn Raising
180 Burrs Road, Westampton, NJ 08060
Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 11:00am to 2:00pm
Westampton NJ, Historic barns are being taken down more often than being preserved in New Jersey. The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of New Jersey (NSCDA-NJ), also known as the Colonial Dames of New Jersey, is pleased to announce the Burr-Deacon Barn Raising, taking place on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 11:00-2:00pm at Peachfield, 180 Burrs Road, Westampton, NJ 08060. The rain date will be October 7, 2023 at the same time of day.
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Continue reading Bergen County Historical Society hosts Vintage Baseball for the 10th Year
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Louisville KY , on June 20, 2023, The National Society, Sons of the American Revolution, awarded Robert N. Schulte the Dr. Tom and Betty Lawrence Middle School History Teacher of the Year Award. Mr. Schulte teaches 8th grade Social Studies at Reynolds Middle School, Hamilton (Mercer) Township School District. Focusing on American History from Colonization through Reconstruction, his work inspires the cause of educating our youth about our founding history. Rob is a reenactor who participates annually in Washington’s Crossing and battles at Trenton and Princeton. He also works with the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati to present professional development on teaching the American Revolution to teachers nationwide, both online and in person. Mr. Schulte has also led seminars at the National Council for Social Studies on the importance of teaching the history of the American Revolutionary era. With this award, Mr. Schulte receives a cash award and grant funds worth up to $5,000.
