RevolutionaryNJ.org has been recognized by Juggle as one of the top national heritage sites on the web. Below you'll find an interview with Cate Litvack, Executive Director of the Crossroads of the American Revolution Association.
- Can you give us some background on the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area?
In 2006, the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area in New Jersey was established by the U.S. Congress. Heritage areas offer frameworks for partnerships and collaboration within a region of thematically related, locally managed sites. New Jersey's heritage area comprises 14 counties: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union.
The Crossroads Association founded in 2002 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation has been appointed by the federal government to work with heritage area residents, local and state governments and other interested organizations to unify and promote our heritage area.
- What features of the site best represent the historical importance of the Crossroads?
Our state of New Jersey has more than 500 farmlands, hillsides and homesteads that played some part, saw some action in the American Revolution. Our Revolutionary War heritage – perhaps more significant than that of any other state – has been federally recognized by the designation of the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area in New Jersey – one of America’s 50 National Heritage Areas.
Comprising the heritage area are 213 cities and towns within 14 counties, 13 National Historic Landmarks and more than 250 buildings and landscapes on the National Register of Historic Places. The heritage area brings together classic schoolbook sites like the Old Barracks at Trenton, which Washington captured on December 26, 1776, and other essential sites like the Monmouth Battlefield State Park, where the largest artillery battle of the Revolutionary War was fought and Morristown National Historical Park where Washington and the Continental Army endured two winters—including the harshest one of the 18th Century.
- In general, what role does the Board of Directors play to foster the development of the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area and Association?
The board works to further the Crossroads mission of encouraging the conservation and interpretation of New Jersey's Revolutionary War natural and historic resources in ways that will enhance public understanding about the people, places and events that transformed the course of American history.
- Have they collaborated on the website?
Yes.
- Why are online newsletters a beneficial resource to your visitors to deliver them pertinent information?
Online newsletters allow us to communicate easily and regularly in a format our visitors enjoy.
- In what other ways do you disseminate information about new association events or important announcements?
We also post information on our website and send emails to our distribution list and ask others to distribute our information through their online networks.
- What are some ways visitors can aid in the preservation and development of the heritage area?
We encourage visitors to travel through the heritage area, to visit the sites and to spread the word about them to others. Donations to support the individual sites and the heritage area are a great way to help preserve the sites and enhance the heritage area.
- What can we expect with the digital image library that will launch in 2011?
The image library will present the initial story lines of the Revolutionary War in New Jersey – the Retreat Across the Jerseys, the Ten Crucial Days and the Retreat to Morristown – through both narrative and photographs. The narrative will place the images within the cultural context of the era.
- What went into to the development of the library?
We received a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities to develop the library that will present the sites and stories of the Revolutionary War through images of existing Revolutionary War sites and landscapes. Our photographer is currently photographing the images we selected and our web developer is working with us to create the online image library gallery on our website.
- How would the Historic Property Reinvestment Act benefit the Crossroads of the American Revolution and promote economic development in conjunction with the state?
The Historic Property Reinvestment Act could encourage the restoration and preservation of eighteenth century buildings that exist in New Jersey. These restoration projects employ skilled craftsmen, and can create adaptive reuse of buildings to house businesses thus offering opportunities for a variety of jobs.
- What is the connection between historic preservation and the potential economic development?
The preservation of historic sites offers heritage travelers unique opportunities to enjoy authentic experiences of the culture and history of American. Heritage tourists spend more than other travelers; in fact, a study of five east coast heritage areas by the Alliance of National Heritage Areas found that visitors generated $5.4 billion in sales, mainly at hotels, restaurants, amusement centers and local shops. As mentioned above, the construction industry also benefits from historic preservation as numerous highly skilled craftsmen can be employed in the rehabilitation of historic properties.
- What have you done to make the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area and Association a recognizable brand on the Internet through your website and other off-line marketing strategies?
We continue the development of our website to make it more robust and cross-link our website with others. We also continue to develop social media for Crossroads, including a Facebook page and a presence on Twitter. We feature our Crossroads of the American Revolution—A Guide to New Jersey’s Revolutionary War Sites on our website and offer a printed version of the Guide for sale through us as well as in numerous visitors centers and gift shops at historic sites throughout New Jersey.
- What else would you like to share with us about the Crossroads of the American Revolution or your web portal?
By helping preserve, unite and promote these sites, Crossroads is expanding the public’s knowledge about the people, places and events that transformed American history. We at Crossroads believe that by telling the stories of the significant role New Jersey played in the American Revolution, we are also creating a sense of pride about New Jersey’s role in the birth of the United States of America.