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The Coldest Winter Ever: Secret Spy Reports Reveal Washington’s Struggling Outpost in Paramus

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Winter 1780: Secrets of a Loyalist Spy in Paramus

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, History isn’t just found in textbooks; sometimes, it’s hidden in the frantic, handwritten notes of a spy. In February 1780, Bergen County was locked in the “coldest winter in human memory.” As residents today brave the New Jersey chill, imagine a time when the stakes weren’t just about clearing the driveway—they were about the survival of a burgeoning nation.

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Drones & Dive Teams Swarm Historic Steuben House After Report of “Person in Water”

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River Edge Volunteer Fire Department Conducts Midnight Rescue Mission

photos courtesy of the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIVER EDGE, NJ — A massive multi-agency search operation lit up the banks of the Hackensack River late last night after reports of a “party in the water” near the historic Steuben House.

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King for a Day: Celebrate 12th Night at Historic New Bridge Landing

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Bergen County Historical Society’s celebration of Twelfth Night at Historic New Bridge Landing

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Edge NJ, the holiday season isn’t over until the King’s Cake is cut! If you’re looking for a way to cap off your winter celebrations with history, community, and great food, the Bergen County Historical Society invites you to a timeless tradition.

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A Conservation Queen: Remembering Lillian “Sis” Thomas, Co-Founder of Allendale’s Celery Farm

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NJ Honors 101-Year-Old Legend! The Woman Who Saved Allendale’s Celery Farm Dies—See Her Amazing Legacy

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

ALLENDALE, NJ – The Borough of Allendale and the wider Bergen County conservation community are mourning the loss of a true environmental pioneer. Lillian “Sis” Thomas (née Myer), who partnered with her late husband, Stiles Thomas, to create and preserve the cherished Celery Farm Natural Area, passed away on November 28, 2025, at the age of 101.

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History Comes Alive! Record Crowds Witness Washington’s ‘Retreat to Victory’ at Historic New Bridge Landing

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Commemorating a Pivotal Moment in the American Revolution

photos courtesy of the Bergen County Historical Society

the staff of thye Ridgewood blog

RIVER EDGE, NJ – The spirit of 1776 was palpable as the Bergen County Historical Society (BCHS) hosted its annual “Retreat to Victory” event on Sunday, November 23, 2025, drawing a record-breaking crowd to Historic New Bridge Landing.

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45-Year Mystery: Divers Search Hackensack River for Stolen ‘Old Bergen’ War of 1812 Cannon

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Bergen County Historical Society : Stolen 1812 Cannon

photo from the 2022 search

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Edge Nj, this is a fantastic historical mystery piece with high local and historical interest. For over four decades, the disappearance of a 200-year-old local treasure known as “Old Bergen” has been one of Bergen County’s most enduring historical mysteries. Now, the search is on again!

On the morning of November 30th, divers will return to the Hackensack River in River Edge near the historic New Bridge Landing for a renewed attempt to find the cannon, which vanished from the grounds of the Steuben House on May 9, 1980.

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Escape or Capture? Witness the ‘Bridge That Saved America’ at a Revolutionary War Event!

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Retreat to Victory: Experience George Washington’s Desperate Dash Across the Jerseys

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Edge NJ, join the Bergen County Historical Society for a stunning, immersive living history event: “Retreat to Victory.” On the 249th anniversary of one of the darkest yet most pivotal moments of the American Revolution, step back in time to the crucial moments of the Retreat Across the Jerseys at Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, New Jersey.

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Future Stewards: Ridgewood Cub Scouts Restore Nature Path and Plant Tree at Historic New Bridge Landing

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Cub Scout Conservationists! Ridgewood Pack 35 Clears Trail and Plants Native Tree to Boost Wildlife at Historic Bergen County Site

photos courtesy of the Ridgewood Cub Scouts and the Bergen County Historical Society

the staff of the Rdigwood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ – The spirit of community service and conservation was on full display this week at Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, thanks to the dedicated efforts of local youth.

The Bergen County Historical Society (BCHS) extended a special thank you to the young volunteers of Cub Scout Pack 35 from Ridgewood,  who devoted their time to enhancing the historic site’s natural landscape.

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Tonight Historic New Bridge Landing Takes Center Stage in Ken Burns’ ‘The American Revolution’!

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See History Unfold: Which Iconic Bergen County Landmark Will Appear in the Massive New Ken Burns Revolution Series?

photos courtesy of Bergen County Historical Society

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Edge NJ, Get ready, history buffs! The epic story of America’s founding—the eight-year war for independence that forever changed the world—is about to hit screens in a landmark documentary event. Ken Burns’ six-part series, The American Revolution, premieres tomorrow, Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 8/7c on PBS.

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Time Travel Dinner: Dine with General George Washington in New Milford on Nov 22nd

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A Revolutionary Night Out: Experience an Exclusive Dinner with George Washington and His Generals

the staff of the idgewood blog

New Milford NJ, step back to the pivotal year of 1776! The Bergen County Historical Society is offering a truly unique opportunity to experience history firsthand with “An Evening with General George Washington” at Sanzari’s New Bridge Inn in New Milford.

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Bergen County Historical Society Receives $250,000 Leadership Gift for New Museum at Historic New Bridge Landing

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Photo (from left to right): BCHS President Beverly Hashimoto at Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, NJ with Paul Gross (center) and son, NIA National Realty President Roger Gross (right), 

Donation Launches 250 Challenge to Inspire Additional Support

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Edge, NJ – August 2025 – The Bergen County Historical Society (BCHS) is proud to announce a generous $250,000 donation from longtime Bergen County residents and philanthropists Gayle and Paul Gross to support the construction of a new 3,750-square-foot history museum at Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, NJ.

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Bergen County Historical Society Annual Awards Dinner!

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photo courtesy of Bergen County Historical Society

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Edge NJ, Bergen County Historical Society’s Beverly Hashimoto presented The Oratam Award to two wonderful people at the dinner.

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The March 23, 1780 British Attack: A Turning Point in Bergen County’s Revolutionary War History

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog and the Bergen County Historical Society

River Edge NJ, on March 23, 1780, British forces launched a multi-front attack across Bergen County, striking Little Ferry, Hackensack, Paramus Road, and Ridgewood before culminating at the strategic New Bridge. This event marked the beginning of the “War of Outposts,” a series of incursions into New Jersey that would eventually lead to the battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms in June of the same year.

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Bergen County’s Role in the American Revolution: A Call for Protection in 1780

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photos courtesy of Bergen County Historical Society

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Bergen County, was a critical battleground during the American Revolution, frequently witnessing military clashes and strategic movements. One such moment occurred in March 1780, following a brutal winter, when intelligence revealed an impending attack on Hackensack.

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Today: Celebrate Washington’s Birthday at Historic New Bridge Landing – February 23, 2025

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Edge NJ, Step back in time and celebrate George Washington’s Birthday with the Bergen County Historical Society on Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 1 PM to 4:30 PM at Historic New Bridge Landing (1201 Main Street, River Edge, NJ). This exciting event offers a unique Revolutionary War experience filled with historical performances, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly activities.

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