Monmouth Battlefield State Park
Monmouth Battlefield | |
The Craig House | |
| |
Location | Manalapan Township / Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey |
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Coordinates | 40°16′23″N 74°18′50″W / 40.27306°N 74.31389°WCoordinates: 40°16′23″N 74°18′50″W / 40.27306°N 74.31389°W |
Built | 1778 |
NRHP Reference # | 66000467[1] |
NJRHP # | 2013[2] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Designated NHLD | January 20, 1961[3] |
Designated NJRHP | May 27, 1971 |
Monmouth Battlefield State Park is a 1,818-acre (7.36 km2)[4] New Jersey state park located on the border of Manalapan and Freehold Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. This park preserves the historical battlefield on which the American Revolutionary War's Battle of Monmouth was waged.
Appearance and information
Monmouth Battlefield State Park preserves a rural, eighteenth century landscape of orchards, fields, woods and wetlands encompassing miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding; picnic areas, and a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse called the Craig House.
The park's visitor center rests atop Combs Hill, a hill once commanded by the Continental Army artillery. Within the park's visitor's center one may observe an array of excavated artifacts from the notable eighteenth century battle. On December 5, 2011, the Monmouth Battlefield Visitor Center was closed for renovations through Spring 2013.[4] The renovated Visitors Center was officially reopened on June 13, 2013.[5]
During the final weekend in June (or the weekend nearest to 28 June), an annual reenactment of the 1778 American Revolutionary War battle is performed.
History of the battlefield
On June 28, 1778, as Sir Henry Clinton and his troops departed from the Monmouth Court House, George Washington and his Continental Army troops plotted an ambush on the rear column of Clinton's British Army soldiers. It became one of the largest battles of the American Revolution. It took place in the fields and forests that now make up Monmouth Battlefield State Park, though the battle soon ended in a standoff.[6]
The Battle of Monmouth is notable for creating the American legend of Molly Pitcher, a housewife who boldly took her husband's place at the cannon only moments after his peril. In honor of Pitcher, an aging white cenotaph was erected near the property of the battlefield.
- Cobb House, Monmouth Battlefield
- Molly Pitcher Spring Marker
- Molly Pitcher Spring
- Sutfin House
- General Von Steuben Memorial
References
- ↑ National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- ↑ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Monmouth County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. March 1, 2011. p. 5. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- ↑ "Monmouth Battlefield". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. 2008-06-23.
- 1 2 "Monmouth Battlefield State Park". NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
- ↑ Re-Opening of Monmouth Battlefield! Battlefield and Visitor Center Rededication and 235th Anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Monmouth a Great Success, revolutionarynj.org, accessed 6/2/6/13.
- ↑ http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/virtual_tours/monmouth_battlefield.html
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Monmouth Battlefield State Park. |
- Official Site
- Visitation details
- Streaming video of the Battle of Monmouth reenactment (RealPlayer required)
- Photo gallery
- Friends of Monmouth Battlefield