New Jersey
New Jersey was one of the original thirteen colonies and became the third state to ratify the United States Constitution on December 18, 1787. Known as the Garden State, it has Trenton as its capital and Newark as its largest city. Its varied landscape includes the Atlantic shoreline, the Pine Barrens, fertile farmland, the Delaware River Valley, and the forested hills of the northwestern region.
New Jersey’s location between New York and Philadelphia made it a strategic crossroads during the American Revolution. The battles of Trenton, Princeton, and Monmouth were fought there, while George Washington and the Continental Army established winter encampments at Morristown. During the nineteenth century, canals, railroads, factories, and cities transformed New Jersey into an important center of transportation, manufacturing, and innovation.
Recent Articles
Remembering First Responders
Along Atlantic City’s Boardwalk, a memorial brings the work and sacrifice of first responders into a setting usually associated with entertainment and recreation. A standing police officer, a kneeling firefighter, and a police dog form one sculptural group. Nearby, two granite towers recall the World Trade Center. Dedicated on December 5, 2014, the memorial honors […]
New Jersey Korean War Memorial
Near the Atlantic City Boardwalk, amid the hotels, casinos and attractions associated with the resort city, stands the New Jersey Korean War Memorial. Its setting creates an unexpected place of reflection within one of the state’s busiest entertainment districts. The Korean War began in June 1950 when North Korean forces invaded South Korea. American troops […]
The Knife & Fork Inn
After watching the HBO series, Broadway Empire, about Atlantic City’s Prohibition era and the colorful characters who shaped its history, Marty and I decided to spend a weekend exploring the city for ourselves. We had planned to wander the streets on a walking tour, imagining the world of politicians, bootleggers, entertainers, and entrepreneurs who transformed Atlantic […]
The Black Maria Motion Picture Studeo
While exploring the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, one exhibit immediately caught my attention. This unassuming black building is a replica of the Black Maria, the world’s first motion picture production studio. Although simple in appearance, it represents the birthplace of an industry that would forever change entertainment, communication, and popular culture. The original Black […]
Atlanta City Boardwalk
Maybe it wasn’t the best time of year to explore the boardwalk in Atlantic City, but we had just finished watching “Boardwalk Empire” and found ourselves with a free weekend. It felt like the perfect opportunity to step into that world, if only for a weekend, and experience the place where so much of that history unfolded. […]
Chicken Bone Beach
There are layers of history in Atlantic City, and one I was not familiar with was Chicken Bone Beach. Located near Missouri Avenue, the stretch of shoreline carries a story that is not immediately visible when you first arrive. In the early 20th century, during a time when segregation shaped daily life, African American visitors were […]
