Cranbury Hosts Civil War Ceremonies

In the years after the Civil War, many states, in both the North and the South, began remembering those soldiers who lost their lives in that war. The tradition of decorating the graves of the fallen gave rise to the term “Decoration Day.” This evolved into what we know today as Memorial Day. This summer, Cranbury will be honoring those who died in two significant ways.

On Friday and Saturday, Cranbury will dedicate a new Civil War monument donated by the New Jersey Civil War Historical Association. Reenactors, portraying New Jersey’s 14th Regiment, Company H, will set up camp overnight on Friday adjacent to the and will remain there until 5 p.m. on Saturday. This group of reenactors also marched in and held their annual rededication ceremony that day at the 1866 Civil War Soldiers’ Monument in behind the .

Beck’s Band will provide Civil War period music before and after the new monument is dedicated at 11 a.m. at . The will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers and cold drinks and the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society will offer a walking tour of the town’s historical sights highlighting the special Civil War Exhibit at the on Park Place from 1 to 4 p.m. The museum features a collection of Civil War letters and photos. Those living in the Cranbury-Hightstown area during the Civil War donated flags and uniforms as well as medical supplies to support the Union cause. This Civil War exhibit at the Cranbury Museum runs through July 17 and  is open Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.  

The year 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War’s beginning, and Cranbury played a large part in that critical period in our nation’s history. Audrey Smith, the president of the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society, noted how the community has come together to help with this project. “The first 50 people who come into the museum on June 11 will receive a certificate for a free ice cream cone, compliments of on Main,” Smith pointed out.

She also said that after the ceremony, Gil & Bert’s will continue supporting Saturday’s event. “From 2 to 5 p.m., the Historical Society will hold a fundraiser at Gil & Bert’s to help with the repair and cleaning of the original 1866 Civil War Soldiers’ Monument, one of the oldest in New Jersey,” Smith added. If you are a history buff or would like to travel back to the mid-19th century and experience the lives of soldiers or perhaps those local residents who supported the troops during the war, this may be a day to circle on your calendar.

For more information, visit www.cranburyhistory.org.