This is the BHS' first lecture for our RevWar 250 Lecture Series!
In December 1776, Count Carl Emil von Donop led a Hessian force on a mission to secure Burlington County—a strategic objective aimed at cutting off American resistance and consolidating British control in New Jersey. This lecture explores von Donop’s campaign, the American and local responses that disrupted it, and the key personalities who played pivotal roles in resisting Hessian occupation. By examining the clashes, skirmishes, and decisions made in this often-overlooked theater, Dr. Colin Zimmerman reveals how the failure to secure Burlington not only preserved a vital corridor for American forces but also helped lay the groundwork for Washington’s stunning victories at Trenton and Princeton.
Dr. Colin Zimmerman is a history professor at Union College of New Jersey, an Army veteran, and a respected scholar of early American military history. He serves as a director at the Armed Forces Heritage Museum in Burlington, New Jersey, where he helps lead public history initiatives and veteran-focused educational programming.
Dr. Zimmerman’s research centers on the military actions in Burlington County during the critical periods of the Winter of 1776 and the Summer of 1778, offering new insights into the strategic role this region played in the Revolutionary War. His work has been published in the Journal of the American Revolution, with several articles focusing specifically on overlooked or underappreciated campaigns and events in South Jersey.
With a passion for community engagement and historical preservation, Dr. Zimmerman continues to bridge academic scholarship and public education through lectures, museum work, and historical interpretation.
Tickets for this event can be purchased the day of the lecture, Saturday, Sept 27, starting at 12noon. Ticket prices: BHS Member: $5.00 Non-Member: $10.00 Please register for this event (but purchase your ticket at the door)