Due to weather conditions, the Washington’s Birthday Celebration with the Bergen County Historical Society has been rescheduled to take place on March 8, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Historic New Bridge Landing.
The Tricorne Dance Ensemble, under the direction of dance mistress Denise Piccino, will perform an hour-long program celebrating General Washington through song and dance. Performances will take place at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the 1752 Steuben House. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Ridley and Anne Enslow on the fiddle and hammered dulcimer. Space is limited for each performance.
Also, on display in the Steuben House will be selections from the society’s Revolutionary War artifacts. Here is what else visitors should know:
- Activities for families include a Washington-themed scavenger hunt with a prize and the society’s QR Code History Challenge, a cell phone-based scavenger hunt where visitors can use their phones to scan QR codes throughout the site to watch videos and answer questions.
- Ticket reservations are encouraged: $12 adults, $7 students, BCHS members free.
- Free parking is available on site, or take the train to the “New Bridge Landing” station on the Pascack Valley Line.
- Visit the gift shop while you enjoy seasonal refreshments, available for purchase inside the tavern.
- Dogs are permitted on site on a leash, but not in the houses.
- HNBL is located at 1201 Main Street, River Edge, NJ. The event is subject to change.
- Email with questions: contactbchs@bergencountyhistory.org
About Historic New Bridge Landing
Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, New Jersey, is a preserved 18th-century Dutch-American site on the Hackensack River, renowned as a key Revolutionary War, “Retreat to Victory” location. The site features the Steuben House (a state historic site), the Campbell-Christie House (1774), the Demarest House (18th century), and the Westervelt Barn. The site is managed by the Bergen County Historical Society, which maintains a large collection of artifacts and hosts events.
The location served as a strategic crossing for George Washington and the Continental Army in 1776, a military headquarters, and a battleground. The current Pratt-type iron swing bridge, installed in 1889, is the oldest highway swing bridge in New Jersey and replaced the original 1744 bridge.
About George Washington
George Washington was born on Feb. 22, 1732, in Popes Creek, Virginia. He died at the age of 67 on Dec. 14, 1799, in Mount Vernon, Virginia, of a severe throat infection, likely acute epiglottitis, according to reports.
George married Martha Dandridge Custis on Jan. 6, 1759. She was widowed in July 1757 when her husband, Daniel Custis, died suddenly. Martha had four children by him in 8 years, but only two, Patsy and John, survived past infancy. Patsy died of epilepsy at 16, and John died at 28 of malaria. When John died, he left 2 grandchildren behind for his George and Martha to raise.
Martha Washington was the first First Lady of the United States and spent about half of the Revolutionary War at the front with General Washington. She helped manage and run her husband’s estates and raised her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Elected unanimously twice, President Washington established many crucial precedents and confronted domestic and foreign policy challenges.