Remembering the Revolution from New Jersey’s Suburbs.
In June 1780, the fate of the American Revolution hung in the balance once again. British forces marched into New Jersey, determined to crush General Washington’s Continental Army at Morristown. But standing in their way were determined American soldiers and local militia who refused to surrender. Two fierce confrontations followed, helping save the Revolution—and then, remarkably, fading from America’s memory.
Nearly 250 years later, a small group of New Jersey history enthusiasts is determined to change that. Enter the Forgotten Victory Trail Association, a nonprofit on a mission to resurrect this overlooked chapter of American history. Through historic markers, community partnerships, and education, they’re bringing the battlefields and forgotten heroes of 1780 back to life.
The Mr. Local History Project explores the people, passion, and perseverance behind a remarkable effort to ensure that one of New Jersey’s most important Revolutionary War victories is never forgotten again.
How a Forgotten Victory Sparked a Historical Movement
It all began in 2021, when a small group of New Jersey history enthusiasts asked a compelling question: How could two Revolutionary War battles that helped protect Washington’s Continental Army at Morristown be so widely forgotten?
The Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield, fought just 16 days apart in June 1780, had helped frustrate a major British offensive. Yet nearly two and a half centuries later, many New Jersey residents still found their story unfamiliar. Inspired by historian Thomas Fleming’s 1973 book The Forgotten Victory, the group formed the Forgotten Victory Trail Association, determined to give these overlooked events the recognition they deserved.
The name “Forgotten Victory Trail” comes from historian Thomas Fleming’s 1973 book, The Forgotten Victory: The Battle for New Jersey—1780, which brought renewed attention to the overlooked Revolutionary War battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield.
Led a group to create a Trail to honor the history. We found a digital version of this book (See Below).
Nearly half a century later, the Forgotten Victory Trail Association, established in 2021, adopted the name to commemorate the June 1780 campaign through historical markers, educational programs, and a developing heritage trail across New Jersey. The project carries forward Fleming’s mission of bringing a neglected but important chapter of American history back into public view.
Under the leadership of John Kieser, Bob Gula, and a dedicated team of researchers, preservation advocates, and volunteers, that original idea grew into something far more ambitious: a historical trail linking communities from Elizabeth to Clinton. Through historic markers, interpretive kiosks, educational programs, and partnerships with local historical organizations, the association works to ensure people remember the people, places, and sacrifices of New Jersey’s Revolutionary War history for generations to come.
Bringing New Jersey’s Revolutionary Past Back to Life
For nearly 30 years, Bob Gula has called Short Hills, New Jersey, home. A husband, father of five, and former mortgage and investment banker, Gula has traded the financial world for a passion that began during childhood family trips to Revolutionary War and Civil War battlefields.
His fascination deepened when genealogical research revealed that seven of his direct ancestors fought in the American Revolution, including five members of the Morris and Sussex County militias and a Hessian soldier captured at Saratoga. Today, you’re more likely to find Bob dressed in Revolutionary War attire than a business suit, captivating audiences with stories of America’s founding. He’s delivered more than 100 historical presentations to over 3,000 people throughout New Jersey, bringing history directly into classrooms, libraries, and historical societies.
But Gula’s mission goes well beyond telling stories. As a trustee and treasurer of the Forgotten Victory Trail Association, he’s helping preserve and promote one of New Jersey’s most overlooked Revolutionary War chapters: the Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield in June 1780.
These engagements helped stop a British offensive aimed at Washington’s Continental Army in Morristown, yet many New Jersey residents still don’t recognize their significance. Through historical research, educational presentations, interpretive kiosks, and commemorative markers, Gula and his fellow volunteers are working to reconnect communities with the places where history happened. For Bob, America’s 250th anniversary represents more than a celebration. It’s a chance to ensure that New Jersey’s Revolutionary War generation is remembered long after the fireworks fade.
Bringing History Together: The Power of Partnerships
The Forgotten Victory Trail Association understands that preserving New Jersey’s Revolutionary War history is not a mission accomplished alone. The organization has built relationships with some of the state’s most respected historical and preservation groups, including Crossroads of the American Revolution, the Washington Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey Historical Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, and RevolutionNJ. Together, these organizations contribute historical research, educational programming, preservation expertise, and public awareness to help bring the trail’s vision to life.
Equally important are the municipalities, local historical societies, museums, educators, and volunteers along the proposed route, stretching from Elizabeth through Union, Springfield, Millburn, Morristown, Pluckemin, and Clinton. These community connections are helping transform individual historic sites into a larger, connected story of New Jersey’s role in America’s fight for independence. Through interpretive markers, exhibits, walking tours, and educational initiatives, the Forgotten Victory Trail is demonstrating how collaboration can turn an ambitious historical vision into a lasting public legacy.
From Historical Research to a Trail You Can Visit
Bringing Forgotten History to Life: The Forgotten Victory Trail Kiosks
Through a growing network of outdoor interpretive kiosks and historical markers, the nonprofit connects visitors with the people, places, and pivotal events of the British campaign across New Jersey in June 1780. These permanent displays make history accessible to everyone, turning ordinary parks and historic locations into stops along a trail that tells how American forces helped thwart a British advance toward Washington’s Continental Army at Morristown.
Visitors can expect attractive, roofed informational kiosks featuring historical maps, illustrations, timelines, and explanations of the battles and their significance. Each location helps tell a different chapter of the larger story, from the British landings near Elizabeth and the Battle of Connecticut Farms to the fighting at Springfield and the defense of the approaches to Morristown. The association’s long-term vision is to connect these historic sites with additional interpretive displays, letting residents, families, students, and history enthusiasts explore the Revolutionary War in their own backyards. With America’s 250th anniversary underway, the trail offers an opportunity to discover why these often-overlooked events deserve a lasting place in New Jersey’s history.
- Connecticut Farms (Union) – June 7, 1780 (Dedication November 7, 2026)
- Millburn – British Advance (Dedicated)
- Clinton – Bonnell’s Tavern (Dedicated)
- Elizabeth – British Landings
- Springfield – June 23, 1780
- Morristown – Washington’s Headquarters
- Pluckemin – Artillery and Supply
The Forgotten Trail’s first interpretive kiosk was dedicated at Taylor Park in Millburn on June 22, 2025, commemorating the area’s role in the Battle of Springfield.
Milburn, New Jersey.
Source: Black River Journal.
The association’s larger vision stretches from Elizabeth through Union, Springfield, Millburn, and Morristown, westward to Pluckemin and Clinton, using historical markers, interpretive displays, educational programs, and a planned digital map to connect New Jersey’s Revolutionary War history with its people and places.
Join The Forgotten Victory Trail and Union Township for The Third Historic Marker Dedication on November 7, 2026
The Mr. Local History Project invites followers to a special Revolutionary War historic marker dedication on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Veterans Honor Roll & Memorial Park, 1000 Wewanna Avenue, Union, NJ.
The ceremony will commemorate the Battle of Connecticut Farms, fought on June 7, 1780, and celebrate the Forgotten Victory Trail Association’s ongoing work to preserve and share New Jersey’s important role in America’s fight for independence.
Hosted with the Union Township Historical Society, the program will feature remarks from Union Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier, historical presentations, a ceremonial wreath-laying by the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard, and the unveiling of a new Forgotten Victory Trail commemorative marker.
Join the community as we bring New Jersey’s forgotten Revolutionary War history back to life! This is a wonderful opportunity to meet local history enthusiasts and support the preservation of our state’s remarkable past.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM.
Where: Veterans Honor Roll & Memorial Park, 1000 Wewanna Avenue, Union, NJ
Looking Ahead: The Forgotten Victory Trail’s Vision
The Forgotten Victory Trail Association has ambitious plans to bring New Jersey’s Revolutionary War history to life for future generations. The mission includes installing seven interpretive signs at significant historic locations, launching an interactive educational website, producing historical webinars, and creating a digital archive of rare documents and stories from the 1780 campaign.
FVTA also hopes to establish a permanent stone memorial honoring New Jersey’s militia and Continental Army soldiers while expanding elementary school programs and opportunities for student researchers. Looking further ahead, the association envisions using augmented reality, animation, and cinematic storytelling to let visitors experience Revolutionary War history where it actually happened, transforming the Forgotten Victory Trail into an engaging historical destination.
Video Presentations: The Forgotten Victory Trail
The Forgotten Victory Trail Association also brings New Jersey’s Revolutionary War heritage to life through two YouTube videos, offering viewers another way to discover the history behind its growing network of interpretive kiosks and historic sites. These videos introduce the association’s educational mission and encourage residents, students, and history enthusiasts to explore the remarkable Revolutionary War stories throughout New Jersey. Whether you’re planning a trail visit or simply want to learn more about the state’s role in America’s fight for independence, these videos are a great place to start.
About the Presenter:
Bob Gula / Revolutionary War Historian and Preservation Advocate
Bob Gula has lived in Short Hills, New Jersey, with his wife, Shelley, for nearly 30 years and is the father of five. A former mortgage and investment banker, Gula developed a passion for history during childhood visits to Revolutionary War and Civil War battlefields. Genealogical research later revealed seven direct ancestors who served during the American Revolution. Today, he brings history to life through presentations at schools, libraries, and historical societies, having reached more than 3,000 people across New Jersey.
Gula serves as Vice President of Historical Engagement and Educational Programming for the Forgotten Victory Trail Association, helping preserve the history of the 1780 Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield. Through educational programs, historical research, and interpretive kiosks, he works to ensure these overlooked Revolutionary War events receive the recognition they deserve. His exact age has not been publicly verified.
Learn more: www.ForgottenVictory.com | www.UnionNJHis
Events and Related MLH Research
Create an account and log in. Click borrow to view the entire book for 14 days.
Instructions: Click Here.
