Why Freedom's Battleground?

New Jersey is known as “the crossroads of the American Revolution”, and Monmouth County has a rich history integral to the fight for our Nation’s independence.

The Battle of Monmouth was pivotal in the American Revolution. It was the biggest and longest one day battle of the Revolutionary War, with General George Washington leading the Continental Army in the attack on the British. But Monmouth County’s Revolutionary War story is much more than that – it’s the story of families and loyalties divided, and individuals from different backgrounds attempting to navigate uncertain times. It’s a story of strife and skirmish over many years of the Revolution that pitted neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend. Those loyal to the British organized and fought against freedom for the Colonies more than in any other county in New Jersey. At the time, Governor William Livingston called Monmouth a "theatre of spoil and destruction!"

Monmouth County was truly a battleground in the cause of freedom. And when the War had been won, the people of Monmouth County gradually transitioned over to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, commerce, and industry.

2026 may seem like a long way off, but we are excited to embark on the journey toward this momentous event. Join us as we look back on the people, places, and events that have carved Monmouth County’s history over the past 250 years, and as we plan our celebrations for the birth of the greatest nation on Earth.