the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Edge NJ, The Bergen County Historical Society (BCHS) has recently unveiled the final approved plans for a new 3,750-square-foot visitor center and museum at Historic New Bridge Landing. This milestone brings the project one step closer to reality, with groundbreaking slated for this fall.
The BCHS revealed both colored renditions and detailed drawings by Arcari & Iovino Architects, aiming to bolster donor support to ensure the project’s success. “A capital campaign to raise funds for all facets of the project, including ground-up construction and interior exhibit space, launched last year with great success,” said BCHS Building Chairperson Deborah Powell. “Individual and corporate donors stepped up to the plate to support us; however, more funding is needed to ensure this project’s success.”
The new visitor center will enhance the experience at the historic 13-acre landmark site along the Hackensack River. It will blend seamlessly with the five existing historic buildings and serve as the gateway and orientation center, providing essential visitor amenities such as four ADA-compliant bathrooms and space for programming. The second floor will offer temperature-controlled collections storage space.
“The Historic New Bridge Landing experience will begin at the new visitor center building, which will serve as the threshold to the site,” Powell explained. The building will feature exhibit space for interactive displays, some digitalized, and site-specific exhibits to enhance learning. The BCHS’s collections include over 4,000 objects of historical significance, including documents, textiles, and artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations.
“We are hoping to raise $1.2 million based on the scope of work as outlined in our capital costs,” Powell added. “The building’s capacity will accommodate over 100 people, allowing us to host large groups such as school field trips. It will be open year-round, regardless of weather.”
The plan aims for the new center and museum to be visitor-ready before the country’s 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) on July 4, 2026. “The new building will educate the public on the important role our area played as a Native American and Colonial settlement and as a fort, encampment, and military headquarters during the American Revolutionary War,” Powell said.
The Bergen County Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and 100% of donations go toward fulfilling the mission of building the new visitor center and museum. For more information, please contact Martha Morley at 201-493-7996 or visit bergencountyhistory.org and click the “Support” link.
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