To the Editor:
The American Battlefield Trust (ABT) just released a 66-page study that shows Heritage Tourism — visiting historic sites — is an economic engine for the states fortunate enough to have them.
ABT found visits to the National Park System’s 31 military sites generated $1.5 billion in visitor spending annually, supported 15,000 jobs, and produced an economic output of $2.2 billion.
Heritage tourism in New Jersey generates nearly 10 million visits annually, yields more than $3.6 billion in visitor spending, produces 7 percent of the state’s GDP, and supports 50,000 jobs statewide.
New Jersey is not capitalizing on one of the state’s most important American Revolution sites, the Princeton Battlefield, where on Jan. 3, 1777, the American army saved the Independence declared July 4, 1776.
Princeton Battlefield, the Forgotten Battlefield, is the only Revolutionary War battle site in the state park system without a visitors center. It is the only major Revolutionary War battlefield in the nation without a proper visitors center.
During the 250th Anniversary of the nation’s birth, New Jersey’s birth, and the 250th anniversary of the battle itself, it is time to right this wrong and capitalize on one of our greatest assets by finally building a visitors center on the site.
The existing Clarke House packs a big punch as a museum and park administration offices, but it is a tiny space, a 260-year-old space not up to modern demands.
ABT’s study found the average visit length to the Battlefield is about a half-hour. A visitors center would lengthen the visit, because it would have exhibits and educational programs like PBS’ ground-breaking Men Without Shoes research program, which focuses on the enlisted men — including the Black enlisted men — who fought at Princeton.
A visitors center draws more diverse visitors and will keep visitors around longer — in the town, the region, and the state — pumping money into local restaurants, hotels, and shops and the state’s economy.
The Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) has invested with ABT and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to return the Battlefield to look more like it did in 1777. The Trace Road, the secret back route Washington used, has been restored. We are replanting the orchard where the hottest fighting in the battle took place. We have restored the memorial pillars that mark the soldier’s mass grave. New signage makes the fight come alive.
We have worked together to preserve this sacred place. Now we must preserve its proper place in history.
PBS is working with ABT and State Sen. Andrew Zwicker to remedy this oversight. Gov. Sherrill cited the Battlefield in her Inaugural Address. Lt. Gov. Caldwell is a supporter.
We need state investment to get this project moving. PBS is already raising money for it. We cannot afford to shortchange our heritage — or the revenues it will generate.
None of the Revolutionary battle sites were more important than Princeton. Independence was declared in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, but Independence was saved in Princeton on January 3, 1777.