Bridgewater's Washington encampment is site of Declaration of Independence reading July 4

BRIDGEWATER – You don't need fireworks to celebrate the true significance of Independence Day.

For more than a century the Washington Camp Ground Association has held a ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Middle Brook Camp Ground, at 1761 Middlebrook Road on the north side of Route 22 on the Bridgewater-Bound Brook border between Vosseller and Mountain avenues.

This year's celebration, the 130th, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday with a flag ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem.

Somerset County historian Jesse Havens will deliver the keynote address on "New Jersey's Historical Contribution."

Following the address, the Declaration will be read by the high school awardees of the Washington Camp Ground Association scholarships from Bound Brook, Bridgewater-Raritan, Middlesex and Somerset County Vo-Tech high schools.

Parking is limited so attendees should carpool or walk to the site. Attendees are also advised to bring lawn chairs or blankets and water.

The event will also be livestreamed at the Washington Camp Ground Association's Facebook page.

The site is where Gen. George Washington's Continental Army was encamped twice during the Revolutionary War from May 28 to July 2, 1777 and from December 1778 to June 1779.

The camp ground is also where the first official American flag, the 13-star flag designed by Francis Hopkinson, was initially flown over American troops in 1777.

A special act of Congress allows the flag to be flown at the camp ground for 24 hours a day without lighting.

Local lore says the property was donated to the Washington Camp Ground Association by Bound Brook resident George LaMonte on the condition that the Declaration of Independence be read on every July 4 or the land would revert to the heirs of the LaMonte family.

In 1907 more than 2,000 people marched in a parade from Bound Brook to the camp ground to celebrate Independence Day.

That was the first reported parade in the United States that included a procession of automobiles.

Those attending this year's ceremony will have a chance to receive a Washington Camp Ground Association commemorative coin marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by becoming a member of the organization.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.