Bergen250

The Baylor Massacre unfolded on September 28th, 1778, in present‑day River Vale, when Colonel George Baylor’s 3rd Light Dragoons were caught in a stealth nighttime assault by British General Sir Charles “No Flint” Grey. Both armies were scattered across Bergen County as the British foraged for supplies, and Baylor’s men—quartered in local homes and barns—were tasked with scouting and harassing these forces. Grey, known for silent bayonet attacks, advanced under darkness and quickly overwhelmed the American sentries.
As the surviving dragoons retreated, they hastily buried their dead in nearby tanning vats before fleeing the area. By the end of the attack, at least 69 Americans were killed, wounded, or captured, while the British suffered only one casualty. In 1967, local residents alerted the County about the importance of the site, which was threatened by development. An archaeological dig uncovered the remains of six soldiers, who were discovered in those same abandoned vats near the Hackensack River, later confirmed as victims of the massacre. The site became a Bergen County park in 1972, preserving the memory of the men lost during the surprise raid.
The digitized 1968 report of the history of the site and the archaeological dig can be read on the Bergen250 website here:https://bergen250.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Baylor-Massacre-1968-Publication.pdf

This weekend's concert at the Wortendyke Barn Museum has been cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. This unfortunately will not be rescheduled. We hope to see you at our next concert on Sunday, October 25th, when we have the C***r Barn Band return for their 16th year!

Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather forecast this weekend, our Baylor Massacre Commemoration Ceremony has been POSTPONED to Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 1:30PM at the Baylor Massacre Burial Site in River Vale.

Meet historical reenactors, explore the story of the events of September 1778, and celebrate the enduring legacy of the soldiers who stood for our nation's independence.

This event is hosted and sponsored by Bergen County through the Bergen250 Initiative, a program of the Bergen County Parks System Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs, with support from the Township of River Vale, New Jersey.

The 3rd Annual Bergen All-Star Jazz Blast is returning to Wortendyke! Enjoy an afternoon with Bergen County's most reputed and notable musicians with your family and friends!

Reminder! The commemoration ceremony for the 248th Anniversary of the Baylor Massacre is this Sunday, September 27th. Join us for a day of remembrance, learning, and community. This event is free and open to the public.

This Sunday, Sept. 27, the Oakland Library is partnering with reputed local historian and quilter, Peggy W. Norris for a discussion on the history of American quilts using examples from Bergen County museums. This event, as of Sept. 21, has 51 spots left, and is completely free to register.

Norris will also have a limited number of copies of Stitched and Woven: Bergen County Quilts and Coverlets, 1800-1976, compiled by her Norris and Key Yeomans with the Bergen County Quilt and Coverlet Committee. Published in 2021, the 160-page full-color hardcover book costs $25 and features regional textiles, maker histories, and private collections.

Register at the link: https://buff.ly/yFVrXSY

Join the Palisades Interstate Park Commission as history comes to life at Fort Lee Historic Park! The Brigade of the American Revolution will present a Revolutionary War 250th Living History Program on Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 10 AM to 1 PM. Experience an exciting day featuring approximately 70–100 Revolutionary War reenactors as they bring the past to life with military drills, marching, tactical demonstration, and musket-firing demonstrations.

‼️UPDATE as of 7:35pm‼️

Shuttle service is now suspended due to the incoming storm. We apologize for the inconvenience.