My family and I made it out to the “History On The Green” event in Somerville, NJ this past Saturday. The event featured a pop-up encampment site featuring George Washington and his valet, Billy Lee. The event also featured the New Jersey regiment- Heard’s Brigade, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, and the NJ Fifes and Drums.
We arrived to Somerville a little early to eat brunch across the street at Turf Surf and Earth which was quite convenient and really delicious. We arrived to the event at about 11:30. There were tables set up from a few historical organizations in the region including the Heritage Trail Association, the Somerset County Historical Society, and the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission. Our kids had a great time as soon as we arrived because there were many activities set up for them. My children did crafts with the Cultural and Heritage Commission, and they played colonial games with Liberty Hall Museum, including cup-and-ball. They also made their own clay marbles. We were instructed on how the colonials such as Washington and Jefferson would have made their own ice cream, which was demonstrated by Heart to Hearth Cookery. The kids also saw a display of colonial basketweaving.
We moved on to the colonial pop-up encampment with displays by reenactors of weaponry/ artifacts, which were from the Revolution era. The reenactors took us back in time: cooking meals, doing chores, and preparing for battle.
At about 12pm, George Washington and his entourage made their way down Main Street to the Courthouse Green. They were accompanied by members of New Jersey Fifes and Drums. The members of the New Jersey Militia- Heard’s Brigade, as well as the First Rhode Island Regiment stood in line and received orders from their commander. George Washington inspected the troops before they fired their muskets.
At about 12:30, Somerset County Commissioner Director, Shanel Y. Robinson addressed the crowd, and discussed how Somerset County was preparing for the 250th Anniversary of Independence.
My children took another round of the many colonial games. They also took part in 18th century reading and writing, including writing with an 18th century ink and quill. We made our way over to George Washington on top of his horse, Penny, which the kids were able to pet.
We had a great day in Somerville. This event was the most kid-friendly event that we’ve been to lately. History On The Green was another reminder of the tremendous impact that New Jersey had on the American Revolution. This region in Somerset County was home to the Middlebrook encampments throughout the war. Many houses still stand in the area that served as headquarters to Continental generals including Washington, Nathanael Greene, Henry Knox, Lord Stirling, and Friedrich von Steuben. I’m looking forward to going next year and also excited for what they have planned for 250!
Follow my Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts for videos of the event.
For more information on the organizations who were present at the event, check out the links below:
Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission
Somerset County Historical Society
New Jersey Militia- Heard’s Brigade
Check out related blog posts below:
Benevento's History Blog 