Come to Bound Brook and South Bound Brook (NJ) for a Weekend of Living History!

 The Battle of Bound Brook (April 13, 1777) was a surprise attack by British and Hessian forces against a Continental Army outpost at Bound Brook, New Jersey, during the American Revolutionary War. The British objective of capturing the entire garrison was not met, although prisoners were taken. The U.S. commander, Major General Benjamin Lincoln, left in great haste, abandoning papers and personal effects.

Late on the evening of April 12, 1777, four thousand British and Hessian troops under the command of Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis marched from the British stronghold of New Brunswick. All but one detachment reached positions surrounding the outpost before the battle began near daybreak the following day. During the battle, most of the 500-man garrison escaped by the unblocked route. U.S. reinforcements arrived in the afternoon, but not before the British plundered the outpost and began the return march to New Brunswick.

The Annual Battle of Bound Brook Living History Weekend is held each spring to commemorate the actual Battle of Bound Brook that took place April 13, 1777, during the American Revolution. The two-day event features 18th-century street battles, military drills and camp life, portrayed by living history reenactors as American and British troops, camp followers, sutlers (merchants selling goods) and others of that period.

Past Battle of Bound Brook programs have included a living history 18th century Soldier’s Camp, special lectures and exhibits, guided tours of the historic Abraham Staats House, Pasta Dinner, and SBB Firehouse Sunday Pancake Breakfast with the soldiers, and a Sunday afternoon battle on the grounds of the house, in South Bound Brook. In neighboring Bound Brook, activities include a reenactment of the Battle of Bound Brook, a memorial ceremony at the Old Presbyterian Cemetery, exhibits at the Bound Brook Library and a soldier’s lunch with the public. (Saturday only). Related activities have included an 18th century dance at the Van Horne House in Bridgewater on Saturday evening.

Whether you are looking for a family-fun experience, a history buff, a visitor to the area or searching for a new, interesting event to attend, each year’s living history weekend at the Battle of Bound Brook is unique, fun and exciting. Learn about and experience this important period in New Jersey and American history.

At the Abraham Staats House

Website:  www.staatshouse.org   Event Page:  https://www.staatshouse.org/events/battle-of-bound-brook/  Email:  info@staatshouse.org       Phone:  (732) 369-3583

SATURDAY: (grounds open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

• 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Battle of Bound Brook Encampment at Abraham Staats House

  • Grounds – Free

    • Camp Life – Soldiers of the American Revolution reenact drills & tacticals, camp life, open fire cooking, Sutlers

  • In-House – $10 per person, 18 and under Free    Order tickets via Eventbrite

    • House Tours

    • “Rug Hooking” by Hunterdon County Rug Artisan Guild New Jersey (hcrag.com)

    • American Revolution Surgeon display

• 10:30 a.m. Street Battle #1  reenactment at the Old Stone Arch Bridge/Queens Bridge into Bound Brook

• 11:30AM  Commemoration Ceremony at Old Presbyterian Graveyard, 402 East High St, Bound Brook, NJ  for The 248th “Battle of Bound Brook” NJ Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard  NJSSAR.org, & New Jersey Fifes and Drums

• 1:30 p.m. Street Battle #2 on Main Street, South Bound Brook, (Weston Canal Road to Maple Avenue) featuring American and British units portraying the soldiers of the American Revolution.

• 2:30 p.m.  Camp Life resumes

• 4:00 p.m. Encampment Closes

SUNDAY: (Abraham Staats House grounds open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

• 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Battle of Bound Brook Encampment at Abraham Staats House

  • Grounds – Free

    • Camp Life. Soldiers of the American Revolution reenact drills & tacticals, camp life, open fire cooking, Sutlers

  • In-House – $10 per person, 18 and under Free    Order tickets via Eventbrite

    • House Tours /Until Lecture at 12:30 p.m.

    • “Rug Hooking” by Hunterdon County Rug Artisan Guild New Jersey (hcrag.com)

    • American Revolution Surgeon display

    • Camp Middlebrook Chapter/DAR Member Laurel Grube’s Handmade Quilt w 358 names of Rev War Patriots

• 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Soldiers Drills on the grounds of the Abraham Staats House.

• 11:00 AM Abraham Staats House Parade Grounds. Sunday Morning Memorial Service for the Reenactors with Public invited. Officiating:  Chaplain Tim Platek, 6th PA Regiment,  7th VA Regiment, and of the Continental Line.  Join us for a 30 minute service conducted in the 18th Century mode.

• 12:30 p.m. – Presentation: Bob Gleason of American Historical Theatre as “General von Steuben.” $10 pp, 18 & under FREE Order tickets via Eventbrite

• 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Battle at the House #3 on the grounds of the Abraham Staats House featuring Patriotic and Loyalist units portraying the soldiers of the American Rev

• After lecture, the  General will be on the grounds to review the Troops before the Battle!

• olution (Free)

• 4:00 p.m. Encampment Closes

Parking for events in South Bound Brook is available along Main Street and along public streets in the area of the Soldiers Encampment.   Parking in Bound Brook is available throughout the town and in Billian Park. Intermittent street closings are expected during the weekend in South Bound Brook and Bound Brook to accommodate the march and battles by the soldiers.

Contributing Partner Events: Bound Brook, Bridgewater, South Bound Brook

• Friday, April 11, 6-8 p.m.: Please Join the Heritage Trail Association at the Van Horne House for our Annual Friend-Raiser!  Food, Music and frivolity!  Music by the wonderful Enslows, a specialty Cocktail created for this event along with additional libations and cocktails and catering by Mangia Buono. $50 admission includes 2 drink tickets. Must be 21 or older to attend.  ***Tickets***
  At Philip van Horne House, 941 E Main St, Bridgewater $50 Register: call Cindy  310-691-9388

• Saturday, April 12, 11:30 a.m.: Commemoration Ceremony of 248th “Battle of Bound Brook”, NJ Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard (NJSSAR.org), The Old Presbyterian Graveyard, 402 East High St, Bound Brook, NJ Free.

• Saturday, April 12, 7-11 p.m.:“Irish Tavern Night” A convivial evening for anyone over the age of 21.  Enjoy the Colonial Tavern honoring Philip Van Horn’s son-in law Colonel Stephen Moylan of Washington’s 4th Dragoons.  Ale, wine, and cocktails to wash down your delicious victuals.  $15 General Admission includes 2 drink tickets; $5 Reenactor Admission includes 2 drink tickets.    ***Tickets***
  At Philip van Horne House, 941 E Main St, Bridgewater  Register: call Cindy  310-691-9388.

• Sunday, April 13, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: Breakfast Buffet at South Bound Brook Fire Company #1 Firehouse, 83 Edgewood Terrace, South Bound Brook. Free to registered re-enactors. Adults: $14; Seniors: $12; under age ten: $9;  under age 5: free.   www.sbbfd.com

For more information, contact the Abraham Staats house at this link.