‘Jersey Blues’ return to Maplewood for re-enactment

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Back by popular demand, the Third New Jersey Regiment re-enactment group returns to Grasmere Park surrounding the Durand-Hedden house on Sunday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to set up a living history camp for visitors. The well-known reenactors will accurately demonstrate 18th-century military and civilian life activities, including tent building, military drills, musket firing, natural dyeing and weaving. They will also offer the opportunity to examine military and domestic accoutrements and equipment. The event is free, though donations are appreciated.

The historic Third New Jersey Regiment, also called the “Jersey Blues,” because members’ coats were blue with red lapels, was mustered during the American Revolution and has a claim to be part of the longest history of any U.S. military unit. Locally in 1780, during the War of Independence, the regiment assumed defensive positions around Elizabethtown. In June of that year it was the first to engage the British and Hessian invasions from Staten Island. Joined by local militia and the rest of the Jersey Brigade, the regiment fought a delaying action at Connecticut Farms in Union. A few days later, on June 23, it was engaged again and fought valiantly as a leading element in the Battle of Springfield. A year later the “Jersey Blues” also participated in the siege and victory at Yorktown.

The Durand-Hedden House is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood. For more information, call 973-763-7712 or visit www.durandhedden.org.

  Durand-Hedden