The Bergen County Historical Society is launching an initiative to honor America’s founding values by building a 3,750-square-foot museum at Historic New Bridge Landing, a site of pivotal importance to the American Revolution.
Located where George Washington led a retreat following the Continental Army’s defeat in Brooklyn at the hands of the British and rallied the army in 1776, Historic New Bridge Landing is widely known as “The Bridge that Saved a Nation.”
The bridge crossed over the Hackensack River and allowed Washington’s army to retreat through New Jersey and eventually into Pennsylvania. The historical society seeks to preserve and amplify that legacy as America approaches its 250th birthday in 2026.
Martha Morley, a spokeswoman for the historical society, said “our goal is to cover the cost of the new building and is being raised in phases. We have met our goals for phase 1 (the building foundation) and we are looking to raise an additional $1.8 million to complete the building and educational build-out.” She added that no state or federal funding is supporting this project, which is dependent on foundations, corporate sponsors and individual donors to support the Bergen County Historical Society’s mission to complete the project.
“There is no better moment in time to invest in preserving the history of the site that saw more of the American Revolution than any other site in the 13 colonies” said Deborah Powell, Building Chairperson for the Bergen County Historical Society. “This new museum will serve as both a sanctuary for truth and a launching pad for understanding our history.”
The capital campaign, launched in advance of the July 4th holiday, aims to raise the final funds needed to construct a modern, climate-controlled museum space that will house rare artifacts, host educational programs, and welcome thousands of school children and visitors annually. The historical society is calling on supporters throughout the region and across the nation to help bring this vision to life.
The new museum will not only commemorate the site’s Revolutionary War legacy but also engage the public in understanding the enduring value of democratic governance.
“This project is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Powell. “It’s about ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices made for freedom — and the ongoing responsibility of safe-guarding it.”
The society also has scheduled a walking tour of historic New Bridge Landing from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4. The tour takes visitors to three historic Jersey Dutch sandstone homes, the bridge itself, and the landmark Steuben House, named after Major General Baron von Steuben and given to him in 1783 in gratitude for his service during the War for Independence. Complimentary iced tea and cookies are included with general admission ($12.50; free for BCHS members).
Founded in 1902, the Bergen County Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of Bergen County. The historical society stewards the Historic New Bridge Landing site and offers educational programming throughout the year.
