Revisit Revolutionary War History at Fort Lee Historic Park in NJ

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On your next trip to New Jersey or New York City, spend some time learning about the Revolutionary War at Fort Lee Historic Park in Fort Lee, Bergen County, NJ. This is a 33-acre park featuring an historic section as well as an area for picnicking and enjoying a picturesque natural environment.

The southern end of Fort Lee Historic Park is the historic area. Here you can tour trails that lead through the grounds where the Continental Army placed its batteries during the Revolutionary War. You can see reproduction gun batteries as well as firing steps here, and there are several huts near the battery that have been reconstructed to authentic 18th century detail. An officer’s hut, blockhouse, woodshed and well are featured at the reconstruction site, as is a baking oven from the 1700s.

There is a Visitor Center at Fort Lee Historic Park that provides detailed information about Fort Lee and the roles it played in the American Revolution. This is a large building containing detailed information on General George Washington’s evacuation of Fort Lee in November, 1776.  General Washington’s “Retreat to Victory” across New Jersey which followed at the end of 1776 is also covered in the two floors of displays at the Visitor’s Center.

An auditorium and gift shop are located within the Visitor Center at Fort Lee Historic Park. If you wish to tour the Visitor Center, plan to visit the Park during the hours of 10 am to 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. The Visitor Center is only open during these times.     

A variety of special events are held at Fort Lee Historic Park seasonally and on weekends. These include interpretive programs as well as cultural and recreational events and activities. One popular annual event is Retreat Weekend, which is held to commemorate Fort Lee’s fall and the retreat that followed. Retreat Weekend is held on the weekend closest to November 20. Take advantage of these weekends and find a nice hotel in Fort Lee where you can enjoy the entire weekend events that take place at this historic park.

Members from more than a dozen Living History groups take part in Retreat Weekend, and re-enactors participate in a variety of field and camp activities at the Historic Park.  Marches, a parade to Monument Park and Artillery Demonstrations are just some of the activities scheduled during annual Retreat Weekends at Fort Lee Historic Park.

The north end of Fort Lee Historic Park is the area where picnicking is allowed. Two overlooks provide visitors with terrific views of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge as well as upper Manhattan’s skyline. Although picnicking and hiking are allowed at Fort Lee Historic Park, pets are not permitted. The Historic Park is a place for reflecting on and learning about history as well as having fun, but regulations prohibit playground or field-style recreational activities such as ball-playing.