RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Hunterdon County officials announced plans to establish a permanent 9/11 memorial at Hilltop Preserve in Raritan Township, aiming to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Sheriff Fred W. Brown said the memorial will provide a place for reflection and remembrance while honoring county residents who lost their lives.
“Hunterdon County will always remember where we were on September 11, 2001, and the profound impact that day had on our nation and our communities,” said Sheriff Brown. “As we approach the 25th anniversary, it is important that we create a lasting place where residents can reflect, remember, and ensure that the stories of that day are never forgotten. This memorial is being approached with great care to honor those we lost while preserving the character of this special place.”
Hilltop Preserve, a 58.5-acre property formerly known as the Ewing farm, was preserved in 2012 through a partnership between Hunterdon County and Raritan Township using county open space funds and New Jersey Green Acres grants. Officials said the site holds particular significance because residents could see smoke rising from the World Trade Center from the property on the morning of the attacks.
Plans for the memorial include a pavilion, a central monument framed by two trees symbolizing the World Trade Center towers and a sitting area flanked by a Pentagon-shaped flower box system. An open field planted with native vegetation will serve as a tribute to Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. A walking trail is also planned to improve access and enhance the visitor experience.
County officials said active farming at the site will continue, with only a small portion of the land designated for the memorial. The remainder of the preserve will remain in agricultural use.
The county is targeting a dedication in September 2026 to coincide with the 25th anniversary, pending completion of planning and review processes. The project has been discussed with Raritan Township officials and is supported by the Hunterdon County Board of County Commissioners.
Additional details about the project are expected to be announced in the coming months.
