Revolutionary War Markers Bring Colonial New Brunswick to Life

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (June 25, 2026) - While historic buildings anchor the colonial heritage of New Brunswick, a series of plaques scattered throughout the City helps bring a physical connection to the front-line drama of the American Revolution.

As we soon celebrate the country's 250th anniversary, an America 250 Patriots Marker was dedicated at the historic Buccleuch Mansion, commemorating the City's significant role in the American Revolution.

• Washington Route Plaque: Located at 78 Albany St., this marker traces the path General George Washington traveled from Philadelphia to Cambridge, Mass., in 1775 to assume supreme command of the Continental Army.
• Cochrane's Tavern Marker: Affixed to the same Albany Street structure, this plaque designates the site of a colonial inn where Washington established his temporary military headquarters from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 1776, during the army's harrowing retreat across New Jersey.
• The Declaration of Independence Reading: On July 9, 1776, New Brunswick citizens gathered to hear Col. John Neilson read the newly-signed document atop a table outside the adjacent White Hall Tavern. This was the third public reading of the document. Today, this historic event is marked by two local monuments: The Col. Neilson Statue at Monument Square Park, which depicts Neilson standing atop the tavern table as he proclaimed independence to the crowd, and The First Readings Plaque, mounted at the base of the Christ Church tower on Paterson Street. The areas are near each other.
• Alexander Hamilton Battery Monument: Standing on the historic Old Queens hill, 81 Somerset St., at Rutgers University, this Class of 1899 gift marks where Hamilton's company trained their cannons on the Raritan River, slowing British pursuit.
• Men of Rutgers College Tablet: Located directly beside the front door of the Old Queens building, this 1916 tablet honors the early colonial students and faculty who abandoned their studies to pick up muskets for the cause of independence.