2005 will be a big year for celebration in Springfield.  June 2005 will mark the 225^th Anniversary of the Battle of Springfield, which took place June 23, 1780.

This battle significantly impacted upon the outcome of the Revolutionary War.  British troops invaded from Staten Island to Elizabeth(town) intending to capture Morristown by seizing the Hobart Gap in the Watchung Mountains (Today’s Route 24).  They were confronted with significant, unanticipated resistance from American Continental and local Militia and were driven back to Staten Island.  It was “The Final Invasion”, the British were never to fight another Revolutionary War Battle in New Jersey

The Township celebration will be large.

• A two day Revolutionary War Encampment consisting of several hundred American and British Revolutionary war re-enactors will be staged on the high school grounds.
• The Third New Jersey Regiment, “The Jersey Blues,” (www.jerseyblues.org ) is our lead group of re-enactors. They will be hosting the nationally renowned Brigade of the American Revolution (www.brigade.org).
• Their camp will be opened to the public for displays of life in the late eighteenth century.
• Two battle re-enactments will be staged. We hope to win again!
• There will also be a rededication ceremony of the “Battle Monument” located in front of the 1^st Presbyterian Church on Morris Avenue to mark its 100^th Anniversary.
• Saturday morning will also have rides and games for children at Jonathan Dayton High School.
• The annual July 4^th fireworks display will be held on Saturday night, June 25, 2005, in lieu of July 4^th.  This will feature a special finale synchronizing fireworks to music. 
• There will be a giant parade on Sunday, June 26.
• A commemorative journal incorporating then and now photos of Springfield will be published.
• Thomas Fleming, author of  The Forgotten Victory, the story of the Battle of Springfield will be a guest speaker at a pre-celebration event on June 5th, which is the anticipated date for the public unveiling of the restored John Ward Dunsmore painting, depicting the Battle Of Springfield, titled "Give 'em Watts Boys."
• Commemorative posters, T-shirts, hats, booklets and pins will be sold.

   

   

An event of this magnitude will attract thousands of visitors.