From the American Revolution
to the Industrial Revolution
History Abounds in New Jersey

The path to America's independence from British rule can literally be found in New Jersey at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville.

After crossing the ice-filled Delaware River on the night of Dec. 25, 1776, Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army landed at Johnson's Ferry, which is now part of the park.

Monmouth Battlefield

Once assembled on shore, Washington's army began the nine-mile march to Trenton and the first American Revolutionary War victory over Hessian troops. Visitors to the park can see the actual trail that led to Trenton and marked the beginning of America's successful quest for freedom and independence.

Washington Crossing State Park is located in the Delaware River Region, which has been called the Crossroads of the American Revolution. The region has many distinctive historic sites like the Red Bank Battlefield and Princeton Battlefield State Park.

This region also is known as the Military Capital of the Revolution, the perfect place to trace the movement of Gen. Washington and his troops, beginning at the Morristown National Historic Park.

Beyond Revolutionary War sites, the region is also steeped in the American character at sites like the Walt Whitman House and at The Battleship New Jersey Memorial and Museum, where visitors can step aboard the nation's most decorated battleship.

Rankokus Reservation

The region also hosts the Rankokus Indian Reservation where Native American history comes to life with festivals and cultural events and the Native American Indian heritage museum.

Visitors to the Skylands Region can view Native American life first-hand at Waterloo's Lenape Indian Village or explore pre-Revolutionary War artifacts at places like The Boonton Historic District, which has the New Jersey Firemen's Home and Museum (1875) and a wealth of antique shops.

The Gateway Region is the proud home of Liberty State Park, which offers easy access to the Statue of Liberty and the nearby Ellis Island. New Jersey's history also includes one of America's greatest inventors, Thomas A. Edison. Visit the Edison National Historic Site in West Orange and see Edison's laboratory and library, exhibits of the first light bulb, phonograph and the dawn of early movie making.

In the Shore Region lovers of the sea can tour historic lighthouses and revel in the recreated maritime village at Tuckerton Seaport. For more Revolutionary history Monmouth Battlefield State Park features an annual reenactment of the key Battle of Monmouth. And Allaire Village faithfully displays the trades and treasures of a 19th-century ironworks village.

The Victorian era comes to life in the Southern Shore Region where visitors can travel back and walk the gas-lit streets of Cape May or ride a horse drawn carriage to some of the most beautiful inns anywhere.

Antiques, seafood, boardwalks and specialty shops all add to the charm. There are lighthouses and seafaring museums galore plus an entire 1800s village populated with craftspeople and country shops at Historic Cold Spring Village.

So, no matter where visitors travel in New Jersey a piece of American history will be right at hand.