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Washington, D.C. -- Today, the Senate passed S. 203, the National Heritage Areas Act of 2005, which would designate the Crossroads of the American Revolution in New Jersey as a National Heritage Area. A previous bill, the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Act, was first introduced in the House by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) and Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) in the 107th Congress, and later in the Senate, where it subsequently passed.
“From Washington’s crossing the Delaware to the battles in Trenton, Princeton, and Monmouth, New Jersey was truly the Crossroads of the American Revolution,” said Holt. “This area will encompasses hundreds of sites—from bridges to battlefields—across 14 counties. It will serve as a magnet for scholars, educators, tourists, and all those interested in the history of the Revolution. By tying these places and events together and protecting and preserving this sacred land, we can ensure that future generations are able to appreciate its meaning, and current generations are able to benefit from its history, beauty, and potential to attract tourists from around the world.”
“This news is most welcome,” said Rep. Frelinghuysen. “As I have said since I started this effort five years ago, New Jersey quite literally was the crossroads of America’s Revolutionary War. Now that the Senate and the House have passed S.203, New Jersey’s Revolutionary history will receive the recognition it so richly deserves. Along with the many advocates who have laid the groundwork for this effort, I eagerly await the President’s signature.”
The Heritage Area, a unit of the National Park Service, will be based at Morristown National Historical Park and in Trenton. In 2000, Frelinghuysen and Holt directed the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study on the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. The plan will link New Jersey's Revolutionary War national, state and municipal historic sites and parks from Bergen and Passaic in the north, through Morris and Somerset, to Camden and Gloucester counties in the south.
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