Session 2 | Saturday, February 15, 2025

Painting by Victor Timpanaro (Courtesy of Bound Brook, NJ)

In our second session, we took a trip back in time to Somerset County during the 18th century. We met some of the people who lived, worked, and visited the region, and studied the terrain and geography. During our session, we practiced the living history and storytelling strategies that docents use to interpret history and learned about how New Jersey’s environment was so beneficial to General Washington and the Continental Army for two key revolutionary events that took place right in our own backyard: the Middlebrook Encampment during the spring of 1777, and the Middlebrook Cantonment during the winter of 1778-1779.

Scroll down to review activities from this session or complete these activities at home. Need help? Reach out to scdocent@ahaliconsulting.com.

What was Somerset County like during the late 18th Century? Why was Middlebrook so important?

How does a docent help visitors to the historical house museum step into 18th Century Somerset County, the literal crossroads of the Revolution? During this session, we learned how living history practices can help visitors connect with the past, discussed the different people of the area, and explored how Somerset County’s terrain made it an important location during the Revolutionary War.

During our session, many of you remembered that New Jersey in 1778 was actually two proprietorships: East Jersey and West Jersey (known collectively as “the Jerseys”). Even the shape of the area on a historical map may have looked slightly different. Download your copy of a blank map of modern day New Jersey and complete these steps to orient yourself to the past and test your knowledge about the environment that surrounds the Five Generals Houses where you will volunteer.

Check Your Knowledge: 18th Century New Jersey Geography

During our session, you met Private Jonathan Moore, a trusted member of Washington’s Life Guard stationed at the Wallace House (also known as Hope Farm) to protect the Commander-in-Chief and his important papers during the cantonment. Volunteer docent Brian Herkalo helped us to understand his process to research this historical figure and to determine which living history strategies align best for visitors to his historical site. Watch this video below to learn what inspired him to do research for an authentic portrayal of a private in the Continental Army.

Historical Interpretation: Living History & Storytelling

Watch & Reflect

Watch Preparing to Interpret Private Moore, recorded on site at the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage. If you would like some background information about Washington’s Life Guard, check out page 90 of your yellow Five Generals Houses toolkit. Follow Brian on his journey to become Private Moore by reading this article about the historical figure in an old issue of the Daughters of the American Revolution magazine. (Remember to follow Brian’s advice that not everything you read is true. It’s a good idea to write your notes and questions in the margins.) Download the article below.

Now It’s Your Turn!

Your toolkits are filled with historical figures who have lived, worked, or visited at one of the Five Generals Houses, and gives information about the identities, lifestyles, and trades of the many people who resided in Somerset County. Select a figure who you think would make an interesting person to bring to life and engage with visitors at one of the historical sites where you may volunteer. You may choose to select an actual person, such as Kitty Greene of General Knox from your yellow Five Generals Houses toolkit. Or you may choose to develop a persona based on their vocation or trade, such as a milliner or a blacksmith, as described in the red American Revolution & NJ History toolkit. Bringing historical figures to life is an effective living history and storytelling technique that you could use to engage visitors at one of the historical sites where you may volunteer.

Living History: Practice Your 1st Person & 3rd Person Interpretation Strategies

Watch the video below to practice your first and third person interpretation strategies using your selected historical figure or persona at home.

How Somerset County’s Environment Led to the Success of the Continental Army

During the Revolutionary War, both armies had to work with more or less the same mountains, hills, streams, and rivers we see today. Get ready to learn about the environmental and geographical features that made Middlebrook and the central Somerset County area an ideal location for the first encampment in 1777, and the cantonment in 1778-1779. Somerset County Historical Society’s resident historian Michael Beck will use primary resources to share his theories about why Somerset County became the center of the universe during this era. Complete the activities below to learn more:

Read & Review

From today’s perspective, it might seem unusual that two armies at war would take a “time out” for the winter. But, as you start to imagine life during the late 18th Century, perhaps you can begin to imagine why a winter encampment might have been necessary. We recommend that you review pages 66-71 of your red American Revolution & NJ History toolkit to become familiar with the Continental Army’s winter training and encampment in Somerset County. Then, check out pages 21-22 of your red American Revolution & NJ History toolkit to get a brief introduction to New Jersey’s Geological History and Environment. As you review these sections, consider why Somerset County may have been an ideal place for them to rest, repair equipment, replenish supplies, and prepare for battle.

Watch & Learn

Now, watch this recording of Michael Beck of the Somerset County Historical Society presenting his research on the various environmental features that made Middlebrook the ultimate strategic location from which George Washington and the Continental Army could defend the land, transportation routes, and the movement of British troops.