Crossroads of the Revolution

project advances in U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate has passed legislation to establish a National Heritage Area in New Jersey that recognizes the critical role the state played in the American Revolution. The legislation was introduced in July by Sen. Jon S. Corzine (D-NJ).

The bill, The Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area Act of 2002, is aimed at preserving New Jersey’s Revolutionary War sites and educating citizens about one of the most important chapters in the nation’s history, according to a press release from Corzine’s office.

The bill is identical to a measure introduced in the House of Representatives last summer by Congressmen Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11) and Rush Holt (D-12). The House version has the support of all New Jersey’s 13 representatives.

There are nearly 300 sites in New Jersey with direct ties to the American Revolution, including battlefields and historic headquarters. Among the landmarks are Washington’s Crossing, the Old Trenton Barracks and the Princeton, Monmouth and Red Bank battlefields.

"We are the nation that we are today because of the critical events that occurred in New Jersey during the American Revolution," Corzine said. "By enacting the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area Act of 2002, we pay tribute to the patriots who fought and died in New Jersey to establish a nation of individuals with inalienable rights free from tyranny."

Designating a Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area would allow $10 million in funding to assist preservation, recreational and educational efforts by state, county and local governments and private cultural and tourism groups, according to the press release.

National Heritage Areas also create significant economic opportunities, providing local communities with incentives and resources to work to increase regional tourism by highlighting historic sites and cultural events, according to Corzine’s press release.

Frelinghuysen said, "New Jerseyans should be proud of our state’s heritage and of our critical role in America’s Revolutionary War. National Heritage Areas not only help us preserve our history and create new educational opportunities, such designations also make it possible to increase our efforts to save open space and provide tourism-related economic benefits to municipalities within the region. And I congratulate Sen. Corzine for his work on our bill in the Senate."

Holt added, "I applaud Sen. Corzine and the Senate for passing this important legislation and I am hopeful that we can pass it soon here in the House. By designating Crossroads as a National Heritage Area we will preserve our state’s history, protect its vital open spaces, and bolster its tourism industry to the benefit of all New Jerseyans for generations to come."

The Crossroads of the American Revolution project will have impact across New Jersey. Sites proposed for a National Heritage Area are in Bergen, Morris, Essex, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Burlington and Gloucester counties.