Monday, June 14, 2010

Flag Day


This American Flag was photographed at the Middlebrook Campground, a 20-acre historic site in Bridgewater, NJ.

In April, 1777, General Washington and 8,298 Continental Army soldiers camped there.

According to Wikipedia:
"...Tradition holds that it was at the Middlebrook encampment that the first official flag of the United States was unfurled, after a law to adopt a national flag had been passed by Congress on June 14, 1777. This event is commemorated annually since 1889 on July 4 with a changing of the flag, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and the delivery of an historical address at the Washington Camp Ground. Also, by special order of Congress, a Thirteen Star Flag is flown 24 hours a day at the Washington Camp Ground..."


During the winter of 1778-1779 Washington and 8,000-10,000 troops again stayed there.
"...Washington himself rented the Wallace House (now converted to a museum) in Somerville for four months and paid Wallace $1,000. General von Steuben lived at the Staats House in South Bound Brook. General Henry Knox lived at the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Pluckemin with the Continental Army Artillery known as the Pluckemin Artillery Park..."

Living in Central Jersey It's easy to forget how much history surrounds us. Please take the time to visit such historic sites as the Middlebrook Campground, Staats House, Jacobus Vanderveer House, and Wallace House.

No comments: