‘Revolutionary Days’ return
M
onmouth County will once again become the scene of Revolu-tionary activities during June as programs and events celebrate the region’s role during the trying days of the Amer-ican Revolution.
"Revolutionary Days in Monmouth County" will commemorate the unique role played by Monmouth during the war, especially in the critical summer of 1778.
Beginning on June 3 and ending on July 2, each weekend will feature a special program or event highlighting a unique aspect of the war in Monmouth County.
The 222nd anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth will take place June 23-25 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan.
This year’s event pays special honor to the more than 50 Native American soldiers who fought in the American Army at Monmouth and who later served in the Indian Company in Westchester County. This special unit of Indian warriors, ordered formed by Washington, was destroyed in an ambush just two months after the Battle of Monmouth. The role of these men will be commemorated at the annual re-enactment and at a special conference one week later on July 1.
"Revolutionary Days in Monmouth County" will start in conjunction with National Trails Day on June 3 with guided walking tours of Monmouth Battlefield conducted by the site’s Friends group. Leaving at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the visitors center, the walk will last about an hour.
The Trails Day program on June 4 will begin from the Craig House, on Schib-anoff Road near Route 9, Freehold Town-ship, at 12:30 p.m. This self-guided tour is keyed to a brochure of the park.
One week later, the Monmouth County Historical Association will host its annual General Clinton Dinner at the Covenhoven House in Freehold Borough. This house served as headquarters for British commanding general Sir Henry Clinton for two days. For tickets and reservation information, call MCHA, (732) 462-1466.
June 18 will feature "The Search for Robbins Tavern," a special presentation at the park’s visitors center at 1 p.m. The discussion will focus on the colonial Robbins Tavern, used by both British and American officers during the Monmouth Campaign.
At 2 p.m., John Pepe, park interpreter, will present a program on topics related to the battle. The Robbins Tavern program will be repeated at 7 p.m. June 23.
The annual Battle of Monmouth weekend will follow on June 24-25. The park will be filled with living historians of the colonial era demonstrating the lifeways and history of the Revolutionary generation.
The re-enactment will begin at 3 p.m. June 24 and at 1:30 p.m. June 25. Visitors are encouraged to arrive at least one hour before the re-enactments.
The annual Battle of Monmouth weekend is co-sponsored by the Friends group and the New Jersey State Park Service. Gates will open both days at 10 a.m. and there will be an $8 per vehicle donation collected by the Friends for historic preservation activities they undertake at the park.
For more information about these programs, call the Friends, (732) 390-6154; Monmouth Battlefield State Park, (732) 462-9616; the Monmouth County Historical Association, (732) 462-1466; or e-mail, [email protected].

