The Central NJ house where Washington first celebrated Fourth of July is getting a revamp

PISCATAWAY - Every day will be the Fourth of July at the Metlar-Bodine House Museum, thanks to a $500,000 federal grant.

The grant, announced Thursday by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-District 6), will help complete an extensive restoration of the museum, including construction of the Forever the 4th gallery featuring the Ross Hall Wall.

"This event is New Jersey's best kept secret," said Junelynn Sadlowski, executive director of the Metlar-Bodine House Museum, who joined Pallone, Mayor Brian Wahler, Township Council members and others at a press conference at the museum at 1281 River Road.

Ross Hall served as headquarters for Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It's where Washington wrote the first order in 1778 for the United States Army to celebrate the 4th of July.

The troops were ordered to march across the Raritan River on Landing Lane Bridge, line the banks of the river in New Brunswick, and shoot their rifles in the first organized salute to the nation's independence.

That evening Washington held a party at Ross Hall for officers including Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette, and Baron Von Steuben. The Ross Hall Wall is the only part of the original building that exists today.

The wall has been recognized as an "American Treasure" by the National Park Service. The museum is also listed on the state and national registered historic sites and highlights the rich history of Middlesex County through a collection of local memorabilia and architecture.

"I wanted to come because it's July 4 and I think, as you all know, this was the place where Washington announced that July 4 would be henceforth celebrated as the nation's Independence Day," Pallone said.

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Pallone spoke about New Jersey being the crossroads of so many Revolutionary War battles, but many people are not aware of that history.

The Forever the 4th gallery featuring the Ross Hall Wall will be housed in a new educational wing at the museum, Sadlowski said.

Pallone said the Rose Hall wall will educate the community not only about the Revolution and the Fourth of July, but also Piscataway and Central Jersey.

“As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, I'm proud that the Metlar-Bodine House Museum will receive federal funding to help complete construction of the new Forever the 4th educational wing," Pallone said. "New Jersey holds an important place in the founding of our country. It’s more critical now than ever to preserve our state’s connection to the past as we countdown to the 250th anniversary of our independence in 2026. We are lucky to have a museum right here in Middlesex County so that future generations can continue to learn about New Jersey’s important role in our country’s fight for independence.”

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At the press conference Sadlowski presented a history of the wall.

At the end of July 1777, Congress decided Independence Day would be celebrated July 4, she said.

"That's the first national holiday," she said.

The following year, Washington and his troops marched to Middlesex County after the successful Battle of Monmouth. Washington had his headquarters at Ross Hall, about a quarter-mile up the road, she said.

That's where he wrote the order on July 3, 1778 to celebrate the holiday.

"It was the first time that the fourth of July was officially Independence Day and it happened right here in Piscataway and New Brunswick along the river and it's the most phenomenal thing," she said. "When you see the wall when it comes back I know that you're going to absolutely feel its presence. It's the only physical link to this incredible event."

"It's a beautiful, beautiful piece of Colonial architecture," she said.

“The Township of Piscataway and the Fellowship for Metlar House have been waiting 22 years to give this Revolutionary War relic a home," Sadlowski said. "The funding Congressman Pallone has helped to secure will soon make this a reality. Some have said that the Ross Hall Wall is just as historically significant as the Liberty Bell. These funds will make this happen. Museum volunteers, staff, and members of the fellowship are overjoyed and thankful for Congressman Pallone's efforts.”

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Metlar-Bodine House Museum in Piscataway, where George Washington celebrated July 4, is getting a revamp