Looking Forward to the Past July 26, 2010

Generations have come to know the stories of embattled New Bridge and its compelling associations with the American Revolution. Many have come to admire the Zabriskie-Steuben House as a paradigm of Jersey Dutch sandstone architecture. The unique artifact collections of the Bergen County Historical Society, first displayed at the Steuben House in 1939, have fascinated hundreds of thousands of visitors by opening a window onto one of America’s first multicultural communities. As evidenced by their distinctive folkways, the Jersey Dutch blended significant contributions from Indigenous Nations, Netherlanders, Africans, English, Germans, French Huguenots, Scots, Scots-Irish, Scandinavians, Polish Silesians, and others.

It is now evident to everyone driving past that great progress is being made. Remediation of the former auto salvage yard and the fall of its metal fence makes this Revolutionary War battleground visible to over 42,000 vehicles daily. Suddenly, people are stopping in, asking questions, and expressing interest and support.

Concerted efforts by many dedicated individuals have finally brought New Bridge to the threshold of becoming a heritage destination of large regional interest and attraction. It is a special place worthy of encapsulating Bergen County’s rich history with all the attendant economic and educational benefits. Now is your opportunity to learn what the future holds and to voice an opinion on plans for future amenities such as a proposed visitor center and battle monument, befitting what one County official called, in 2004, the “most important historic site in the County." The Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission will hold a special hearing at 7:00 PM on Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Steuben House, 1209 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 0766, to discuss alternatives in their draft Master Plan, which only covers state owned properties in River Edge that will come under direct administration of the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission. The priority of the Bergen County Historical Society, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer organization and largest landowner at Historic New Bridge Landing, is to raise funds to build a museum on their own land.

Alternatives for consideration include whether or not to raise the Zabriskie-Steuben House above supernormal tidal flooding, restoring it as an artifact of its period of significance and furnishing it with reproductions. Since the commission has discarded the idea of building a replica of the 1819 Courthouse, they are open to all suggestions regarding the design of a visitor center and possible inclusion of classrooms, meeting room, a gift shop, exhibit areas and food concessions. Everyone is also invited to comment on a proposal for a New Bridge Battle Monument, inscribed with the opening phrase of Thomas Paine’s American Crisis: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love, and thanks of man and woman.” Of course, the alternative of taking no action is also available. What do you think?

Anyone interested in reading the draft Master Plan and reviewing the alternatives for the Zabriskie-Steuben House, visitor facilities at the Hackensack Avenue Gateway and New Bridge Battle Monument are referred to http://www.bergencountyhistory.org/pdfs/HNBLPC_MasterPlan_2Draft_2.pdf
Anyone unable to attend may mail comments to the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission, PO Box 4131, New Bridge Landing Station, River Edge, NJ 07661.