On November 20, 1776, General George Washington led his troops across the Hackensack River at New Bridge. Throughout the Revolutionary War, eleven key engagements took place at this strategic bridge crossing, often referred to as “the bridge that saved a nation.” Today, a new museum is rising on this historic spot to showcase the rich history of Bergen County.
Recently, elected officials, Bergen County Historical Society (BCHS) leaders and donors came together in River Edge to celebrate the groundbreaking for a 3,750-square-foot museum at Historic New Bridge Landing. The ceremony kicked off Phase I of a large-scale project spearheaded by BCHS to build a modern, accessible facility that will exhibit and preserve Bergen County history, plus provide educational programs for students and visitors.
“This building will finally give our history a permanent home—space to present exhibits, welcome school groups, and connect visitors with the extraordinary Revolutionary War stories that unfolded on these very grounds,” commented BCHS President Beverly Hashimoto. “But it will go far beyond the Revolution. The museum will tell the broader story of Bergen County life, from the Indigenous people who lived along the Hackensack River to the early Dutch settlers and the generations that followed.”
The new museum will feature state-of-the-art galleries and provide crucial climate-controlled storage for the BCHS’ vast collection. The building will welcome rotating exhibits, community events and school programs. Additionally, the facility will be fully ADA accessible
Paul Gross of Teaneck, a major donor and lifelong Bergen County resident, discussed his family’s support for the project. “Our family is proud to support a museum that tells the full story of Bergen County—from its earliest inhabitants to the industrial innovators and suburban communities that helped define modern America. It will be a place where students and families can learn, reflect, and take pride in the history that shaped our region.”
BCHS plans to make Historic New Bridge Landing a year-round destination. Ongoing fundraising efforts will provide funding for the next phases of the project, including additional exhibit areas and an orientation pavilion. The goal is to complete all work in time for the country’s 250th birthday next year.
