Video Depicting Pluckemin Cantonment Of Bedminster Debuts On Youtube

Provided by Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum 

“In Quarters Comfortable and Clever,” a video depicting Pluckemin’s Revolutionary War artillery cantonment, is now available for public viewing on YouTube and The Friends of Jacobus Vanderveer House website.  The video, in both nine-minute and 17-minute formats, was commissioned by the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House to tell the story of the nation’s first military academy and its pivotal role in the American Revolution.   

The Jacobus Vanderveer House served as the home and headquarters for General Henry Knox during the winter of 1778-79.  General Knox supervised the construction of the cantonment (now located in the Hills Development) and established a military training academy for the Continental Army. 

  “Lacking the presence of a physical site to visit, the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House felt it was important to use 21st century technology to tell the story of America’s first military academy, the remarkable leadership of General Henry Knox and Somerset County’s central role in the American Revolution,” remarked Sean Blinn, president of the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House Board of Trustees.  “It’s a significant piece of Revolutionary War history worth preserving for future generations.”    

Working with Dr. John Seidel, Director for the Center for the Environment & Society at Washington College in Chestertown, MD and lead archaeologist on the Pluckemin Archaeological Project in the 1970’s; historical geographer Stewart Bruce; historians; and students at Washington College, the Friends authorized the use of sophisticated mapping software to create a 3D visualization of the lost Pluckemin cantonment in a series of digital animations that is interpreted and narrated by scholars.  The animated visualization of the 1778-79 cantonment depicts buildings (officers’ quarters, armorers’ shop, artificers’ quarters, tin smith’s shop, etc.) as well as the physical materials, tools and daily activities of life on the site.   

“In Quarters Comfortable and Clever” complements the Friends’ more traditional interpretive programs, including authentic artifacts, period rooms, The Prich Matthews History Center, museum displays, artwork, maps and printed materials at the Jacobus Vanderveer House.  

A nine-minute version video can be viewed on YouTube by visiting:   http://youtu.be/EDinpcpS52w  

The complete 17-minute video can be viewed on the YouTube URL:   http://youtu.be/MWRIx6J8UOk  

“In Quarters Comfortable and Clever” can also be viewed at the Jacobus Vanderveer House, as well as on the museum’s website and Facebook page. The website URL is: http://jvanderveerhouse.org/videos.html
 
Funding support for the video was provided by grants from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. The project was also made possible with support from the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the Somerset County Open Space, Recreation, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust.  

The Jacobus Vanderveer House is located at 3055 River Road (in Bedminster’s River Road Park), Bedminster, NJ 07921.  For more information about the museum and upcoming events, phone (908) 396-6053 or visit www.jvanderveerhouse.org.