Bringing New Jersey's History To Life

On a mild and breezy Thursday afternoon, students, faculty members, and visitors, gathered in the Liberty Hall Museum Carriage House to hear a speech by Pulitzer-Prize winning historian and author of Washington's Crossing, Dr. David Hackett Fischer. The speech provided detailed information about the central role of New Jersey in the American Revolution and was in conjunction with Oh Freedom! Blacks on the Battlefront in the American Revolutionary War in New Jersey. The exhibit, which features manuscripts from Liberty Hall Museum's archive, is a collection that provides first hand accounts of slave owners and African American slaves during the American Revolutionary War. The exhibit is free for the public to view and is on display at the Carriage House until March 31, 2010. Fischer's speech was broadcasted live on the internet as space was limited at the Carriage House.History Professor and Director of the Oh Freedom! Exhibit, Dr. John Mercantini, welcomed the audience and gave thanks to colleagues, Kean University, the National Jersey Council for the Humanities, and all of whom helped to make the event possible. Dr. Mark Lender, Professor and Chair of the history department, introduced Dr. Fischer and expressed his joy of the event and having the prize winning author speak. Dr. Fischer entertained the crowd with jokes and throughout his speech, provided vivid details of historic events which occurred within the state of New Jersey during the American Revolutionary War. "I begin with images," he stated. Fischer spoke about the many historic battle sites located New Jersey in cities such as Trenton, Princeton and New Brunswick, which are becoming more endangered, and emphasized the importance of teaching younger generations about the battle sites as well as visiting them. "What we have to do now is to teach history to young people," he proclaimed.

Fischer discussed selected chapters of his award-winning book and the events surrounding George Washington and his army's travel across the Delaware River. He stated some of the struggles and triumphs of the first president and the challenge of leading his diverse army, quoting, "People under restraint can not be drove, they must be lived." Fischer also spoke about two campaigns that were held in New Jersey by Washington, which are expanded further upon in his book. Dr. Lender elaborated on New Jersey's history in the American Revolution, stating that at one time every man of military age from every county in the state was mobilized to serve in the war.

Throughout his speech Fischer reflected upon the attributes of Washington, stating Washington's style of leadership which incorporated humanity to the public as well as the prisoners. "There is much to learn from the campaigns in New Jersey," Fischer stated and added, "Learn from leaders in past." After the speech, Dr. Fischer answered questions from the audience and was available for a book-signing. He also provided information about his upcoming books, and one about fairness and freedom, is currently under review and is scheduled to be released at the end of the year.