Raritan River History on Display During Independence Day Celebration

By Anthony Bellano 

Changes in the use of the centuries-old Lower Raritan River will be the focal point of a presentation given by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) this holiday weekend.

“Days of Fun Along the Raritan River,” to be held on Sunday, July 7, at Boyd Park in New Brunswick, will explore the river’s rich history, from its role in the Revolutionary War to its use as a hub for industry and recreational activities, MCIA announced.

It’s part of the City of New Brunswick’s Independence Day Affair, an event spanning more than six hours and presented alongside the Crossroads of the American Revolution and the MCIA.

It begins at 4 p.m. The Crossroads of the American Revolution, an organization based out of Trenton that helps communities, organizations and citizens preserve New Jersey’s Revolutionary legacy, will make a presentation at 8 p.m.

The event will include a reenactment, a concert, a film, a boat show, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and fireworks at 9:20 p.m., organizers said.

Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission Assistant Curator Douglas Aumack will present the “Days of Fun” event. He will discuss the Raritan in the late 18th Century, when British soldiers foraged its shores, Continental fighters were embedded in the nearby Watching Mountains and General George Washington led a retreat through bordering New Brunswick.

He will also discuss its use as a modern day sports venue, backdrop for festivals and its artistic uses.

“The Lower Raritan is such an asset in so many ways; it has the ability to unite all different walks of life, promote healthy living and holds several clues to the rich history we pride ourselves on here in New Jersey,” Middlesex County Freeholder Charles E. Tomaro said.

The Independence Day Affair allowed New Brunswick to obtain a New York/ New Jersey Harbor Estuary grant, awarded to the MCIA last fall for general estuary use and care.

The MCIA shared that grant money with Highland Park, Piscataway, Edison, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, East Brunswick, Sayreville and South Amboy, providing those municipalities with the opportunity to hold their own events along the Raritan.

“One of our main objectives with this grant is to bring public awareness to the river’s access points,” said Denise Nickel, a Senior Project Manager for the MCIA’s Economic Development Department.