About This Place
The Green is the historic central common of Hackensack, a public open space that has served as the town's civic, commercial, and military gathering point since the colonial period. During the Revolution, it functioned as the primary mustering ground for Bergen County militia, where local men assembled under arms before marching to defend the region against British and Loyalist incursions. The Green witnessed the passage of Washington's retreating army in November 1776 and served as a staging area for foraging expeditions, militia drills, and public announcements throughout the war years.
Today the Green remains a public park at the center of Hackensack, surrounded by commercial buildings and accessible to visitors. Markers and monuments on or near the Green commemorate the town's Revolutionary heritage.
Revolutionary Significance
The Green was the military and civic heart of Hackensack during the Revolution. Militia companies mustered here before marching to defend against British raids. Washington's retreating army passed through the Green in November 1776 after the fall of Fort Lee, and the space witnessed the full arc of the war in Bergen County — from the initial organizing of resistance to the final withdrawal of British forces.
Location
The Green, Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
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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