Presidential Comments

There is little that is more important for an American citizen to know than the history and traditions of his country. Without such knowledge, he stands uncertain and defenseless before the world, knowing neither where he has come from nor where he is going. With such knowledge, he is no longer alone but draws a strength far greater than his own from the cumulative experience of the past and accumulative vision of the future. Excerpt from John Kennedy's (1962) essay "On History"



I cannot but remember the place that New Jersey holds in our early history. In the early Revolutionary struggle, few of the States among the old Thirteen had more of the battlefields of the country within their limits than old New Jersey.… Away back in my childhood, the earliest days of my being able to read, I got hold of a small book…Weem’s "Life of Washington". I remember all the accounts there given on the battle fields and struggles for the liberties of the country, and none fixed themselves upon my imagination so deeply as the struggle here at Trenton, New Jersey. The crossing of the river, the contest with the Hessians, the great hardhips endured at that time, all fixed themselves on my memory more than any single revolutionary event; and you all know, for you all have been boys, how these early impressions last longer than any others. I recollect thinking then, boy even though I was, that there must have been something more than common that those men struggled for; that something even more than National Independence; that something that held out a great promise to all people of the world to all time to come.... Excerpt from Abraham Lincoln's speech to the NJ State Senate, February 21, 1861

Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association Membership Information

Please visit our new website, www.wallacehouseassociation.com to learn more about our organization. Events and news about the sites will be posted there as well as on the blog. Thank you to all our local friends and supporters for your contributions and loyal support over the years!






Sunday, January 24, 2010

Five Generals Bus Tour - Free Family Fun on Sunday February 14.

The Heritage Trail Association in conjunction with the cooperating historic sites that comprise our Middlebrook Consortium, is holding its annual narrated bus tours of five historic houses in Somerset County. The houses each served as a headquarters for George Washington (the Wallace House) and his general staff during second Middlebrook encampment - 1778-1789.

The tours, which start from the Van Horne House, 941 East Main Street, Bridgewater (across from Patriots Ballpark) are FREE, but space is limited and reservations are required. The five bus tours are scheduled to start on the hour: 10 am, 11 am, noon, 1 pm, and 2 pm. Call (732) 356-8856 for reservations or sign up online.

This is a perfect opportunity for a weekend family outing. A visit to these historic sites offers a unique educational experience, for young and old, to learn more about the history of Somerset County.

The five houses are: the Van Horne House in Bridgewater, the Wallace House in Somerville, the Van Veghten House in Finderne, the Abraham Staats House in South Bound Brook, and the Vanderveer House in Bedminster. The village of Middlebrook was located just east of the Van Horne House in an area that is now the west end of Bound Brook. During the encampment, General Washington dated all of his dispatches from Middlebrook even though his headquarters was in the Wallace House, five miles away.

Sunday, 14 February, 2010
10:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Cost:FREE
Location:
Van Horne House
941 Main StreetBridgewater, NJ USA 08805
Email:

Phone: 732-356-8856
732-356-8856


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Sunday, January 10, 2010

18th century Tea and Music

An afternoon tea featuring 18th century music will be held on Feburary 28th at St. Mark's Episcopal Church Hall, 140 South Finley Ave. in Basking Ridge 2-4pm. The tea marks the kick off of 250th Anniversary of Berndards township, which received its charter from our last king (George II). In addition to displays of the township's history, attendees will receive a copy of the book, "Notable 18th Century Women of Bernards Township. Tickets ($20) went on sale this weekend and may be limited. Call 908-647-6029 to confirm availability.
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