New Milford Historic Preservation Commission

10/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night's Lantern Tour. Our deepest appreciation to our readers, Darlene and John Minko. Also, "The Baron," himself, stopped by to tell his story. We are grateful for your interest and continued support.

10/16/2026

There's been a lot of activity lately at the French Burying Ground. We recently completed the first major restoration effort at the site since the first burial took place there nearly 350 years ago.

Grave markers were cleaned, reset and repaired. Most exciting was that two "lost" markers were discovered. The first, dated 1721, is the oldest surviving marker at the site. The other was the original marker for Peter (Petrus) Demarest, who enlisted in the Continental Army in 1778, when he was 13 years old.

The project was underwritten by a grant from the Bergen County Historic Preservation Trust and matching funds from the New Milford Mayor and Council.

10/05/2026

Some of the most prominent figures of the American Revolution spent significant time in New Jersey: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, the Marquis de Lafayette and Baron von Steuben, as well as Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre.

Join us at the French Burying Ground on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. for a lantern light tour and learn how Bergen County's oldest cemetery is connected to some of the most notable people and events of the American Revolution.

Admission is free. The rain date is Oct. 29. For more information, email: [email protected].

07/31/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for the reception marking the arrival of the "Revolutionary Lives" exhibit at the New Milford Public Library. The evening opened with an overview of New Jersey's role in the American Revolution by Joe Cook. His presentation can be viewed here:

https://youtu.be/PPHzdjZGhck?si=nfI9gH8MN7IrTU2t

The exhibit will be on display at the library until Aug. 12.

07/23/2026

Just a reminder to join us at the New Milford Public Library next Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for a reception marking the arrival of the "Revolutionary Lives" traveling exhibit.

Joseph Cook, an historian, history teacher and member of the New Milford Historic Preservation Commission, will open the event with a presentation on the American Revolution in New Jersey. Light refreshments and viewing of the exhibit will follow.

The exhibit will be on display from July 29-August. 12.

07/18/2026

07/09/2026

“Revolutionary Lives: Living the American Experiment Then and Now,” a traveling exhibit that highlights the stories of everyday New Jerseyans whose lives, labor, and choices shaped the Revolutionary era, will be on display in the main room of the New Milford Public Library from July 29 through Aug. 12.

A reception will be held Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Joseph Cook, an historian, history teacher and member of the New Milford Historic Preservation Commission, will open the event with a presentation on the American Revolution in New Jersey. Light refreshments and viewing of the exhibit will follow.

This free, interactive exhibit was created by RevolutionNJ, the state’s official 250th initiative. Among the topics explored are: “An Ordinary Soldier,” “Women at War,” and “A Child of the Revolution.”

06/08/2026

A big birthday is approaching… and it’s not the one you’re thinking about. One year from today, New Milford turns 350 years old! On June 8, 1677, David Demarest Sr., received the French Patent, a deed granting him several thousand acres of land along the Hackensack River. The settlement he established for French Huguenots in present-day New Milford became the first permanent one for people of European heritage in Bergen County.

The first house was built approximately where the Elks Club is located. It was probably a simple log cabin that provided shelter while Demarest and his family quickly built more houses and commercial buildings, including a gristmill, a dam and landings for boats. The Jacobus Demarest House, a stone house on River Road, still exists and is the oldest privately owned and continuously occupied house in New Milford.

Demarest chose this location for a reason: it was the farthest point that large merchant ships could sail upstream on river. He knew this would be ideal spot to transfer goods from ships to ground transportation and vice versa. Because of his vision, this area became a center of commerce.

What he may not have realized was that the infrastructure he built to support trade and commerce would make this area a strategic crossroad during the Revolution. In the first pamphlet of “The American Crisis,” an account of the Retreat of 1776, Thomas Paine wrote: "Our first object was to secure the bridge over the Hackensack, which laid up the river between the enemy and us.”

Happy 349th birthday, New Milford!

05/26/2026

It's time to show your patriotic pride! In honor of "America250," the New Milford Police Department is sponsoring a patriotic-themed outdoor decorating contest. Deck out your porch, front door or yard in red, white and blue! Winners to be announced July 6!

For more information and to register your home, visit:
https://www.newmilfordnjpd.org/page/america-250-home-decorating-contest

05/14/2026

May is designated as both “National Military Appreciation Month” and “National Historic Preservation Month.” In a year when our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, these observances take on additional meaning as we honor all those who serve and protect. Here are some significant dates:

May 15 is “National Peace Officers Memorial Day,” which honors all law enforcement officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. Benjamin Branch, a Revolutionary War veteran who later became sheriff of Chesterfield County, Va., is recognized as the first officer to be killed in the line of duty. He died in 1786 of injuries after being thrown from his horse.

May 16 is “Armed Forces Day.” Observed on the third Saturday every May, this is a day dedicated to paying tribute to those currently serving in all branches the U.S. Armed Forces.

May 25 is “Memorial Day.” Originally called “Decoration Day,” the first observance took place in May 1868 to honor the Civil War dead. After World War I, it became a day of remembrance for all members of the U.S. military who died in service.

New Milford will begin its observance of Memorial Day weekend with a tour of the historic French Burying Ground on May 22 at 6 pm. Flags will be placed at the graves of the Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers.