With More Revolutionary Activity than Any Other State,
New Jersey is Preparing to Tell a
Robust and Inclusive Story About Its Past, and Establish a Course
for the Future
TRENTON,
N.J., June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- When people
around the world think about the American Revolution and the
origins of modern democracy, New
Jersey may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But
perhaps it should be. That's why, with the approach of the
250th Anniversary of the
United States in 2026, New
Jersey has established RevolutionNJ – a unique partnership
between the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) and the
non-profit Crossroads of the American Revolution – to elevate the
history of the state's central role in the fight for independence,
and highlight that contribution to state residents and visitors
from around the world.
Through an extensive series of initiatives that explores the
history of the American Revolution, its context, and its legacy,
RevolutionNJ will advance the role that history plays in public
discourse, community engagement, education, and scholarship in
New Jersey, and beyond.
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor, Tahesha
Way, who oversees NJHC in her capacity as Secretary of
State, said, "The nation's 250th anniversary is a
once-in-a-generation opportunity for New
Jersey to be widely recognized and visited for its
significance during the American Revolution and how the events,
challenges, and ideas of that time continue to shape our nation and
can help us form a more perfect union. RevolutionNJ will galvanize
diverse audiences statewide into embracing the enduring value and
relevance of history. We consider this New Jersey's chance to leave a meaningful
legacy in the State for future generations."
Thought-Provoking Themes in Strategy and Programming
Underlying all its activity, RevolutionNJ has developed an
Interpretive Framework that guides those interested in
developing programs or content for the 250th. It
provides a foundation for creating inclusive, goal-driven,
audience-centered programs, events, and activities that can be
tailored to the needs of an individual or organization. The
initiative addresses six themes that reflect the collective history
of New Jersey and the nation,
including:
- Inclusion / Exclusion: The commemoration will reflect
the diversity of New Jersey, both
past and present.
- Property / Sovereignty: The commemoration examines the
concept of nationhood and independence.
- Revolutionary Ideals: Key revolutionary ideals animated
the American Revolution, including liberty, equality, and justice.
These ideals continue to be fought for as part of the unfinished
Revolution.
- Political Participation: Exploring the nature of
government, representation, democracy, and civic engagement.
- Movement of People: Identifying the factors that made
New Jersey a tapestry of
cultures.
- The Historical Process: Reflecting upon the work of
historians, collective memory, and community memorialization.
Sara Cureton, Executive Director
of the NJHC, said, "We are telling a diverse and inclusive story
that invites participation from all New Jerseyans, elevating the
value placed on history education in our K-12 schools and
universities, and demonstrating how understanding the complexity of
our history helps us to respond to the present and prepare for the
future."
Readying for Increased Visitation
Preparations are also underway to help RevolutionNJ establish
New Jersey as a must-see
historical destination, and to gain long-deserved recognition for
its role as the "Crossroads of the American Revolution," where more
than 600 battles, skirmishes and acts of war were fought, including
three landmark battles – in Trenton, Princeton, and Monmouth – that historians consider to have
changed the course of the war by igniting the belief that American
independence could be achieved. Capital improvements are underway
across dozens of sites throughout the state that will transform
heritage tourism in New Jersey,
during the Anniversary period and into the future.
According to Carrie Fellows,
Executive Director of Crossroads of the American Revolution, "We
are highlighting the places where people and the underlying ideals
of an emerging nation intersected and clashed. From the first tea
burnings of 1774, through six years of war, to the announcement of
the Treaty of Paris before
Congress at Princeton in 1783,
New Jersey's role in the American
Revolution is unparalleled."
Powerful Partners and Programs
RevolutionNJ is facilitating partnerships, programs, and events
to engage New Jersey's counties
and municipalities, local businesses, non-profits, artists,
scholars, schools, universities, libraries, civic organizations,
historic sites, community members, and visitors from across the
nation and the globe. To date, seven New
Jersey counties and 64 municipalities have joined as
Community Partners, and more than 100 public and private
organizations have joined as Proud Partners.
Activities either underway or planned include a range of
interactive events, history tours, traveling exhibits, educational
curricula, artistic expressions, genealogy, fun runs, and themed
events. A full list of programs can be found at
https://www.revnj.org/programs.
About RevolutionNJ
RevolutionNJ is a partnership between the New Jersey Historical
Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of
State, and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution
Association to plan the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of
the American Revolution in New
Jersey. RevolutionNJ will advance the role that history
plays in public discourse, community engagement, education,
tourism, and scholarship in New
Jersey. Through a series of initiatives that explore the
history of the American Revolution, its context, and its legacy,
RevolutionNJ will galvanize diverse audiences statewide into
embracing the enduring value and relevance of history. Learn more
at https://www.revnj.org/
Additional information on RevolutionNJ is available at
https://revnj.org/press.
Media Contact:
Michael
Keeler
609-439-6271
379173@email4pr.com
https://revnj.org/press
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SOURCE RevolutionNJ