LAST DAY TO POST COMMENTS

revised to May 15th

  Listening Sessions for Visitor Use Management Plan

One can comment online directly at

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=220&projectID=55912&documentID=64690

See related updated post from 4/10/15 - below.

Today is Patriot's Day
 April 20, 1775, the day that the "shot heard round the world" was fired in Lexington, MA.  That shot reverberated through New Jersey, where the Continental Army spent more time than in any other state.  

This area would serve a pivotal role, on the frontier -

"In the spring of 1779 a corps of men called nine months men were stationed at Fort Dewitt, and in the winter and spring of 1778 and 1779 others of these troops were at Fort Gumaer and Fort Depuy, which had been rebuilt, and still others at Fort Decker and perhaps at the other forts. At this time Count Pulaski's troop, under the command of Baron DeFrey, was located in Smithfleld Township, which is now Pike County, Pennsylvania, and there were New Jersey troops, under the command of Colonels Ogden and Spencer, near Fort Shimer, in what is now the township of Montague, In New Jersey. All of these troops were under the command of General Edward Hand, whose headquarters near Fort Shimer were designated Minisings, and whose commands extended from Warwarsing in the North, where Col. Van Cortland with his regiment was in winter quarters, to Fort Penn, now Stroudsburg, in the South, where Major Stroud commanded, and West to Wyoming, where Colonel Zebulon Butler was In command. All of these troops were removed in the spring of 1779 to take part in Sullivan's expedition against the Western Indians and that they might be located whom they could be conveniently used, for such a service may have been at least one of the purposes for which they were here temporarily stationed. At the time of the two Indian incursions into the Neversink Valley, however, there were no troops in this vicinity to defend the inhabltants."  

The Historical Record, Volumes 2-3 edited by Frederick Charles Johnson

April 15th is significant as more than TAX DAY...

April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 militiamen for three months service in the wake of the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter as the Civil War began. 
New Jersey’s quota was four regiments.

For a township with a population of about less than one thousand residents between 1860 and 1870, Montague would see many of its men volunteer, or get drafted, for military service. See link for draft compiled by the Sons of Sussex researchers, John and Lisa Rights.

Four years later, minus one day, would see Lincoln assassinated. 
One man, who was a pall-bearer at his funeral, Lt. Gov. William Bross of Illinois - originally was from Montague.  

LAST DAY TO POST COMMENTS

  Listening Sessions for Visitor Use Management Plan

The National Park Service (NPS) is undertaking a listening session process as an initial step in the development of a visitor use management plan (the plan) for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area  and Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River (the park) {aka DEWA} . The purpose of the plan is to maximize the ability of the National Park Service to encourage access and protect the park's natural and cultural resources. The planning process will examine current and potential visitor opportunities and develop long-term strategies for providing access, connecting visitors to important experiences, and managing visitor use. As an integral part of the planning process, the National Park Service is asking for your input so that we can gain a better understanding of our visitors and their needs, experiences, and preferences and to help us identify existing or new opportunities to meet those needs while also achieving our mission to preserve and protect resources.

We encourage you to get involved with the process and add your voice to the beginning of the visitor use planning for the park. The National Park Service will host two public listening sessions, and will be providing information on the park to spread the word about this important effort. In addition to the listening sessions, presentations will be posted online. This is the beginning of the input process, and there will be future opportunities to provide additional input. A formal comment period will begin in summer of 2015. 
You can find out more at: www.nps.gov/dewa/getinvolved/index.htm 
or 
www.facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS


One can comment online directly at
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=220&projectID=55912&documentID=64690


Please do so - especially if you have an interest in visiting any historic sites within DEWA, along with your other preferred uses. 




Currently the NPS retains full jurisdiction over four of their structures being utilized in town, via partnerships with their designated groups, that remain responsible for their use and for providing for the site's overall care and maintenance via individual agreements with the NPS:


The Minisink Reformed Church building  /  Minisink Reformed Congregation

http://minisinkreformed.nextmeta.com/welcome

Courtesy    Flickr image by Richard
at https://www.flickr.com/groups/2543685@N25/pool/7652577@N05/

Foster-Armstrong House 

Courtesy             NPS
http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/report.asp?STATE=&PARK=DEWA&STRUCTURE=&SORT=4&RECORDNO=82

       -  along with the
Nelden-Roberts Stonehouse [a former one room schoolhouse]      

   /    M.A.R.C.H.  - Montague's Historical Society  https://www.facebook.com/MontagueNJHistory

Courtesy         Jennie Sweetman
http://www.kwwl.com/story/22663047/2013/06/22/march-to-show-what-it-was-like-to-live-200-years-ago

Grange Building  /  Montague Grange - Patrons Of Husbandry # 140

The Montague Grange P. of H. No. 140 - was incorporated on June 27, 1905

There also remain 3 historic houses:

• DeRemer House near Shimer's Brook on CR 521
• Mabel Roberts House and its 3 barns on Rubin Hill Rd. 
• Nelden-Hornbeck Farmhouse off Route 206

         which should be preserved, as they represent aspects of our community's heritage. 

Anyone wishing to assist- contact the Township Historian via email : ab1759hist   at   gmail.com or the town office and leave your contact information.  NPS Vol. In Parks forms will be forwarded.

Celebrate Spring!