Winter Hours - Open Weekends from 10 am - 4 pm
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|
THEÂ FORT BEDFORD MUSEUM
Our Fort Bedford Museum features unique historical exhibits that highlight our role in the French and Indian War, the Whiskey Rebellion, and the evolution of the local landscape from "Cave to Empire."
Built in 1958 by Bedford residents to commemorate construction of the original French & Indian War fort in 1758, Fort Bedford Museum houses over 4,000 objects from Bedford’s past.
For 57 years, the Museum displayed its entire collection as many museums once did: in rows of wood and glass cases. In 2015, the Bedford Heritage Trust began a five-year plan to renovate and update Fort Bedford’s exhibits, collections management practices, and educational programming.
If you haven’t visited us lately, come see what we’ve done!! Two new interpretive exhibits—Becoming Bedford and Cave to Empire—were opened in 2016 and 2017. In 2019, we opened our latest exhibition of The Story of "Indian Eve" Ernst.
​
For the summer of 2023 we are pleased to share the first phase of our Fort Era exhibit devoted to Bedford's role in the French & Indian War. Some of our Blockhouse is under construction at the moment while our professional team of curators and designers create the latest exhibit surrounding Bedford's role in the Whiskey Rebellion.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to M&T Bank for their generous $1,000 donation to the Fort Bedford Museum. Your support helps preserve local history and enrich our community's cultural heritage!
Fort Bedford Museum Historic Donation Finds New Home in New Jersey
Earlier this year, while sorting through our collection at Fort Bedford Museum, we uncovered a unique document titled “A General Return of Waggons [sic] and Horses…” The historical piece dates back to the winter of 1777, after the Battle of Princeton, when the American army was stationed at Morristown, New Jersey. At that time, General George Washington ordered General Nathanael Greene to move his division to Basking Ridge, NJ, to challenge British forces stationed in New Brunswick and Perth Amboy.
After reviewing this document’s historical significance, we received permission from the Bedford Borough to donate it to the Somerset Hills Historical Society, which covers that region in New Jersey. Since then, it has become a part of their display at the Brick Academy, enriching their understanding of the American Revolution’s local impact.
The document, titled A General Return of Waggons and Horses in the Service of the United States at Basking Ridge, details twelve wagons and fifty horses under the command of Capt. Jones and Lieut. Gamble. The piece includes names of individuals like Patrick Cerny, employed to transport General Greene’s baggage, and Hector, an African American also responsible for moving Greene’s supplies. Others, such as Stephen Vail, provided their own horses to the American army, preventing them from aiding British forces.
In a letter dated February 20, 1777, from “Baskenridge,” Greene reported to General Washington, saying, “We sent down forty Waggons after forage Yesterday… They were within a mile of the Enemies Quarters.” This document provides evidence of the critical role local resources and individuals played in supporting the Continental Army during those challenging winter months.
We’re honored to have played a part in preserving this piece of history and are grateful to the Somerset Hills Historical Society for making it accessible to the public. You can read more about the document’s history and its connection to New Jersey’s Revolutionary story in their article:https://somersethillshistoricalsociety.org/2024/10/10/general-nathanael-greene-at-basking-ridge/
2024 Excellence In Tourism
The Fort Bedford Museum, in partnership with the Bedford County Visitors Bureau, is proud to announce that we are the winners of the 2024 Excellence in Tourism Award from the Bedford Chamber of Commerce. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported the museum throughout its nearly 70 years of preserving and sharing our local history. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in helping us achieve this honor.
​
