Monmouth Battlefield State Park facts for kids
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Monmouth Battlefield Historic District
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The Craig House, used as a hospital for British troops during the Battle of Monmouth
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 Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Manalapan Township / Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey |
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| Nearest city | Freehold Borough |
| Area | 1,819 acres (736 ha) |
| Built | 1778 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000467 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | January 20, 1961 |
Monmouth Battlefield State Park is a large state park in New Jersey, covering about 1,818 acres. It's located in Monmouth County, right between Manalapan and Freehold Township. This park protects the historic land where the Battle of Monmouth happened in 1778 during the American Revolutionary War. It's a really important place for understanding military history.
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Explore Monmouth Battlefield State Park
Monmouth Battlefield State Park looks much like it did in the 1700s. You can see old orchards, open fields, thick woods, and wetlands. The park has many miles of trails perfect for hiking and horseback riding. There are also nice spots for picnics. A special feature is the Craig House, a restored farmhouse from the Revolutionary War era.
Visitor Center and Exhibits
The park's visitor center sits on top of Combs Hill. This hill was an important spot for the Continental Army's artillery during the battle. Inside the visitor center, you can see many cool artifacts that were dug up from the battlefield. These items help tell the story of what happened here. The visitor center was updated and reopened in June 2013.
Annual Battle Reenactment
Every year, usually on the second weekend of June, the park hosts a big event. People dress up in old uniforms and act out the 1778 Battle of Monmouth. This annual reenactment has been happening for decades. It's a great way to see history come alive!
The Story of the Battle of Monmouth
On June 28, 1778, a major battle took place here. Sir Henry Clinton and his British Army troops were leaving Monmouth Court House. George Washington and his Continental Army planned to surprise the British soldiers from behind. This fight became one of the biggest battles of the American Revolutionary War. It happened in the fields and forests that are now part of Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The battle ended in a standoff, meaning neither side truly won.
Molly Pitcher: A Heroic Legend
The Battle of Monmouth is famous for a legend about a brave woman named Molly Pitcher. The story says she was a housewife who brought water to soldiers. When her husband fell during the battle, she bravely took his place at a cannon. A white monument, called a cenotaph, stands near the battlefield in her honor.
Historic Homes of the Battlefield
Many old farmhouses from the colonial era once stood on the battlefield. Sadly, most of them were lost as the area grew in the 1900s. However, three of the original seven farmhouses from the time of the battle are still standing in the park today.
- The Sutfin Farmhouse, built in 1731.
- The Rhea-Applegate House, built in 1745.
- The Craig House, built in 1746.
Other homes were built on the battlefield later. The Conover-Perrine House, built in 1832, is north of the park. It stands where an older 18th-century house once was. The Cobb House, built in 1872, is an Italianate style home near the Conover-Perrine House.
Images for kids
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Old Tennent Church
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1872 Cobb House, Monmouth Battlefield
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Molly Pitcher Spring Marker
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Molly Pitcher Spring
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Abandoned barn near the Craig House
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Field facing the Sutfin Farmhouse
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Sutfin House
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General Von Steuben Memorial
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Rhea Applegate House
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