About This Place
New Bridge Landing, located at the historic crossing of the Hackensack River between present-day River Edge and New Milford, is one of the most significant Revolutionary War sites in Bergen County. The bridge here was the point where Washington's retreating army crossed the Hackensack River on November 20-21, 1776, in the desperate withdrawal from Fort Lee that nearly ended the Revolution. The site includes the Steuben House, a colonial Dutch sandstone house that served as Washington's headquarters during the crossing and was later confiscated from its Loyalist owner and presented to Baron von Steuben by the State of New Jersey after the war.
The park encompasses several historic buildings, a reconstructed bridge, and interpretive trails along the Hackensack River. It is managed by the Bergen County Historical Society and is open to the public.
Revolutionary Significance
New Bridge Landing was the critical crossing point during Washington's November 1776 retreat from Fort Lee. The Continental Army's passage over the Hackensack River at this point preserved the army from destruction and allowed the retreat to continue south toward Trenton. The Steuben House at the site was confiscated from Loyalist Jan Zabriskie and awarded to Baron Friedrich von Steuben after the war, symbolizing the transfer of property and power that accompanied the Revolution in Bergen County.
Location
1201-1209 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661
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Events at This Location
1774
Bergen County Divided: Loyalties SplitReverend Dirck Romeyn, Judge John Fell, Sam of Hackensack
1775
Formation of the Bergen County Committee of SafetyJudge John Fell, Sam of Hackensack
1775
Militia Musters on the GreenMajor John Mauritius Goetschius, Reverend Dirck Romeyn, Sam of Hackensack
1775
Enslaved People Seek Freedom During the RevolutionSam of Hackensack
1776
Fall of Fort LeeSam of Hackensack
1776
Washington's Retreat Through HackensackReverend Dirck Romeyn, Sam of Hackensack
1776
British Occupation of Bergen CountyReverend Dirck Romeyn, Sam of Hackensack
1776
Desecration of the First Dutch Reformed ChurchReverend Dirck Romeyn, Sam of Hackensack
1776
Loyalist Raids and Partisan Warfare in Bergen CountyMajor John Mauritius Goetschius, Sam of Hackensack
1777
Capture of Judge John Fell by Loyalist RaidersJudge John Fell, Sam of Hackensack
1777
Oath of Allegiance ControversiesJudge John Fell
1778
Continental Army Foraging Expeditions in Bergen CountyBrigadier General Anthony Wayne, Major John Mauritius Goetschius, Sam of Hackensack
1778
Confiscation of Loyalist PropertyJudge John Fell, Sam of Hackensack
1778
Washington's Headquarters at the HermitageTheodosia Prevost Burr
1778
Baylor Massacre at River ValeMajor John Mauritius Goetschius, Sam of Hackensack
1783
End of the War and Return of the DisplacedReverend Dirck Romeyn, Judge John Fell, Sam of Hackensack