Third New Jersey Regiment Reenactment at Durand-Hedden

Mark 250 years since the Revolution at Durand-Hedden on Saturday, April 25 from 10 am to 4 pm

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – April 2026 – No Revolutionary War battles were fought on Maplewood’s soil. But this small outpost of Newark below the First Watchung Mountain was at the doorstep of conflict. Located in the so called “no man’s land” of Essex County, it likely was subject to raids by the British in New York and skirmishes with them by the Americans blocking their advancement toward Morristown. The men in Maplewood chose the patriot path, joining the Continental army and local militias, and fighting in the Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield, others in New Jersey and ultimately Yorktown. Some were part of the critical delaying action slowing the British which took place at the Vauxhall Bridge a half mile from today’s south boundary.

In 1780, General Washington’s top mapmaker featured several Maplewood roads and

houses below strategic First Mountain. On top stood Beacon Signal Station 9, which

was set ablaze in June 1780 to notify the Americans of British troop incursions.

What was life like for Maplewood soldiers and their families during the seven-year War

of Independence?

Find out by joining us at Durand-Hedden on Saturday, April 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm to experience an engaging interactive living history encampment presented by the 3rd New Jersey Regiment reenactment group. The 3rd New Jersey, also known as the “Jersey Blues,” formed in 1776, was one of the most distinguished Continental Army units during the Revolution. Visitors will be able to meet Continental soldiers and officers and civilian Camp followers and learn about their daily life. Demonstrations throughout the day will include 18th-century food preparation, tentage, musket firing, and traditional crafts and trades. Historic firearms expert John Rountree will be on hand to demonstrate and explain the weapons of the time.

At 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Millburn Historian Bob Gula, who is a member of the

Forgotten Victory Trail Association will present a fascinating 18th-century account of the significance of the nearby Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield in 1780, the role of local soldiers, and his own ancestor Juniah Beach of Maplewood.

Durand-Hedden House is proud to partner with RevolutionNJ, RevolutionNJ is a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association to plan the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in New Jersey.

Tickets are available on the event page.

About the Third New Jersey Regiment

The "Jersey Blues" of the Third New Jersey Regiment is a member of the Brigade of the American Revolution, a national organization dedicated to portraying the lives and times of people from 1775 to 1783. The Brigade consists of living history groups that represent various military units, including American Continentals, Militia, Native Americans, British, French, German, and Loyalistiments, as well as a large civilian contingent that portrays the daily lives of common people from the period.

About Durand-Hedden House and Garden

The Durand-Hedden House and Garden Association is Maplewood’s historic house museum, dedicated to creating engaging and informative educational programs and materials about the local history of Maplewood and surrounding communities, natural history, and other related topics. The House, at 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, is open once a month between September and June. For more information, visit our website at durandhedden.org. To arrange group tours, write to info@durandhedden.org. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.