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National (DE) – Battle of Cooch’s Bridge Commemoration
September 3 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
DESSAR State Meeting – “The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge” Annual Ceremony
When: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Where: Pencader Heritage Museum, 2029 Sunset Lake Rd., Newark, DE 19702. The battlefield is a flat, grassy site adjacent to the museum on Rt. 72, just south of Old Baltimore Pike. Parking on gravel.
Description: On September 3, 1777, at Cooch’s Bridge, the first battle of the Philadelphia Campaign — the only battle fought on Delaware soil during the Revolutionary War — took place. At least two-dozen Continental soldiers were killed. They are believed to be buried in forgotten, unmarked graves somewhere on the battlefield.
The National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) at their Fall 2023 Trustees Meeting designated the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge a National Historic Site.
This ceremony will include histories, dedications, color guards from multiple SAR state societies, period musket firing, plus exhibits from DESSAR and DSSDAR with light refreshments. Please join us in honoring these fallen soldiers. Period costumes are welcome.
Times: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Ceremony. Museum open throughout.
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.: Lunch offsite at Jessop’s Tavern for DESSAR members and guests.
Lunch: Jessop’s Tavern, 114 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720 – a 20-minute drive from the ceremony.
Cost / Cutoff: This ceremony, museum admission, and parking are all free. Participants for lunch will order and pay separately from the tavern’s menu. Please complete and return the RSVP form below to hobokenpete@gmail.com. Reservations must be received by Saturday, September 1, 2024.
RSVP Form
Your name:
Your email address: Your phone:
Number of guests:
Name(s) of guests:
Questions: Peter Kenneth Moller, DESSAR Director-at-Large, hobokenpete@gmail.com.
Participating Organizations:
Pencader Heritage Area Association; Friends of Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site; Delaware Division of Historic and Cultural Affairs; NSSAR; Delaware Society, Sons of the American Revolution (DESSAR); Delaware State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DSSDAR); 1st Delaware Regiment; W3R (Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Assoc.)