Artifacts Discovered
at Artillery Park

Theme Luncheon/Lecture May 6, 2007
  
Training of Continental soldiers at the Pluckemin Encampment during 1778 and 1779 on artillery captured from the British changed the course of the American Revolution.

Now, the encampment site, known as Artillery Park, is being considered for the National Register of Historical Places, and the Raritan-Millstone Heritage Alliance, Inc., a preservation group, will sponsor a lecture-slide show about the archeology of the site Sunday, May 6 at The Bernards Inn, Route 202, Bernardsville.

A luncheon at 1 p.m. will precede the lecture. Principal speaker is Clifford Sekel Jr. of Somerville, who was the chief researcher during an archaeological dig at Artillery Park nearly 30 years ago. Sekel is now part of the team that is cataloguing thousands of artifacts found at the site.

Jim Cline, new president of The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, will speak about restoration of JVH House and efforts to hunt down authentic colonial furniture and decorations for the interior. A tour of the Vanderveer House following the lecture is being arranged by the Alliance.

Donald Johnstone Peck, president of the Alliance, encouraged supporters of the Friends of JVH and those interested in promoting New Jersey’s growing importance in Revolutionary War history to attend the luncheon/lecture May 6. “As headquarters for Gen. Knox, the Pluckemin Encampment and Artillery Park provide an important link between war sites in Morristown and Somerville and continue to be at the center of Bedminster Township’s rich history,” said Peck.

The cost of the luncheon/lecture is $40. Reservations are required and can be made through Elyce Jennings, (732) 463-0767.