Step into the past and experience a vibrant celebration of spring at Pinkster: A Jersey Dutch Festival of Spring, hosted by the Bergen County Historical Society on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. This unique cultural event takes place at the storied Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, New Jersey—a site steeped in colonial history and rich Jersey Dutch heritage.
What Is Pinkster?
Pinkster, originally a Dutch holiday tied to Pentecost, evolved into a springtime festival in colonial America, blending Dutch traditions with African cultural influences. At Historic New Bridge Landing, Pinkster has been reimagined as a lively, educational, and family-friendly event that honors these early traditions while celebrating the arrival of spring with dance, food, music, crafts, and more.
Highlights of the Day
🕊️ Honoring Ancestors – Pouring Ceremonies
At 1:15 PM and 2:15 PM, join BCHS Trustee Muriel Roberts in a moving ancestral remembrance ceremony. This spiritual tradition acknowledges and honors the ancestors who came before us, weaving historical reflection into the day’s celebrations.
🌸 Maypole Dances & 18th Century Performances
Don’t miss the Tricorne Dance Ensemble, led by dance mistress Denise Piccino, as they bring history to life with traditional 18th-century dances and two lively Maypole dances at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. At 3:00 PM, children are invited to join in the joy of dancing around the maypole—a timeless symbol of spring renewal. Music will be provided by the talented Ridley and Anne Enslow, performing on fiddle and hammered dulcimer.
🧵 Samplers and Needlework: Stitching Together the Past
At 2:30 PM, historian and author Marty Campanelli presents a captivating lecture on schoolgirl needlework samplers from New Jersey dating back to the 1700s. Gain insight into regional styles, influential instructresses, and personal stories stitched into each piece. Her talk will complement a new exhibit in the 1752 Steuben House, featuring delicate, historic samplers crafted by young girls of the era.
🎨 Traditional Crafts & Demos
Explore colonial craftsmanship up close:
- Watch the Lost Art Lacers demonstrate the intricate art of lacemaking inside the Steuben House.
- Visit the Westervelt-Thomas Barn for a broom-making demonstration and see the blacksmith hard at work creating tools and treasures from fire and steel.
- Stop by the authentic Jersey Dutch out-kitchen, where BCHS interpreters will be firing up the outdoor bake oven (weather permitting). Taste homemade wheat bread, hand-churned butters, jumbles (early cookies), and a Spanish cake flavored with orange and almonds.
🍩 Food, Refreshments & Colonial Games
Need a break? Refreshments including donuts and lemonade will be available inside the tavern, and the gift shop will be open for unique, history-inspired items. Families can enjoy colonial-era games and take part in a fun, interactive QR code-based scavenger hunt around the site.
Event Details
- Date & Time: Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Location: Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge, NJ
- Admission:
- $12 for Adults
- $7 for Students
- Free for BCHS Members
- Tickets: Reservations are encouraged.
- Parking: Free on-site parking available
- Public Transit: Take NJ Transit’s Pascack Valley Line to “New Bridge Landing” station
- Pet Policy: Leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds but not inside historic houses
Plan Your Visit
Come for the history, stay for the festivities. Whether you’re a local history buff, a family looking for a fun weekend activity, or simply someone who appreciates rich cultural traditions, Pinkster at Historic New Bridge Landing offers an unforgettable way to welcome spring.
For tickets and more information:
🌐 Visit: www.bergencountyhistory.org
📧 Email: contactBCHS@bergencountyhistory.org
📞 Call: 201-343-9492 (leave a message)
Discover a New Side of New Jersey This Spring—Only at Pinkster.