It’s time New Jersey – America is 250, and Our Jersey History helped make America the free country it is today.
Join The Mr Local History Project as we celebrate all year long.
New Jersey holds a central place in the story of American independence, earning its nickname “The Crossroads of the American Revolution” due to the pivotal events that unfolded across its towns and countryside. Between 1775 and 1783, New Jersey experienced over 600 battles, skirmishes, and troop movements, making it one of the most militarily active regions during the Revolutionary War. Key moments, such as the Battles of Trenton, Princeton, and Monmouth, took place on New Jersey soil. The state’s strategic location between New York and Philadelphia made it a crucial corridor for both the Continental and British armies. Its people contributed significantly—through military service, supplies, intelligence, and political leadership—to the broader fight for independence.
In the years that followed, New Jersey continued to shape the young nation, becoming the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and playing a crucial role in America’s early political and economic development. The state’s commitment to civic engagement and local governance took root during the Revolution and has endured ever since. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, New Jersey is commemorating its legacy with multi-year celebrations, educational initiatives, and community programs. These efforts not only honor the state’s revolutionary past but also aim to inspire future generations to appreciate the enduring values of liberty, resilience, and democratic participation.
Honoring America 250 The Mr. Local History Way
New Jersey America 250 Events Calendar
Views: 325 “It’s the most extensive America 250 Events Calendar we’ve seen for New Jersey.Thanks for putting this together. “ Over 225 Events and Growing Daily….. Plus America’s Top 10 We’ve also added key NYC, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, DC…
What Might Have Happened if General Lee Wasn’t Captured in Basking Ridge
Views: 320 In December 1776 the American rebellion was close to collapse. The Continental Army was shrinking as enlistments expired and morale sank to its lowest point of the war. British forces held New York and expected the uprising to…
1776 Delaware Crossing – Did You Know There were Three Crossings?
Views: 177 Watch a great video that shares the history of the Christmas Day crossing of the Continental Army and the surprise wins at Trenton and Princeton that built the confidence of men who would free the colonies from the…
Ring In America 250 with Jersey History Flair
Views: 345 Ring in America’s 250th anniversary with Jersey style, a bold new collection created exclusively for New Jersey’s Mr. Local History Project. Honor the state’s deep roots, iconic places, and proud role in the nation’s 250th anniversary. Over 60…
America’s 250th Anniversary is Coming – Looking Back at the Bicentennial… Jersey Style
Views: 3,460 It’s hard to believe the United States is beginning its 250th anniversary. That means it’s also been 50 years since the Bicentennial, and hopefully, almost everyone remembers that one. As this researcher was just 14 years old back…
Wreaths Across America – Saturday, December 13
Views: 82 The Mr. Local History Project Volunteers will be at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and the Somerset Hills Cemetery in Basking Ridge this Saturday, December 13, 2025. If you’re in the area and would like to help, please…
The Flagship American Eagle & America’s 250
Views: 14,955 To a sailor, one of the most impressive sights is to see a classic tall ship under sail. It has to be one of the most remarkable sights ever. And if you want to take a trip aboard…
America 250: The Pluckemin Series – Now Go Tell America About This
Views: 1,274 “Pluck-em-in” and America 250 – Perfect Together. Get to know this Great American History Story Pluckemin, New Jersey, pronounced “PLUCK um in“, carries three enduring name stories. Some trace it to a Lenape word for persimmon tied to…
Operation Honor Roll To Indentify Bernards Twp. Armed Services Active Duty & Veterans
Views: 2,577 UPDATE: Volunteer as a researcher to help validate the list. Draft letters are being prepared to send to veteran organizations, and validation of the Bernards Township Honor Roll is underway. The initial list is now available online for…
Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes and Drums Corp Marches thru Morristown and Somerville
Views: 764 It’s been on our radar to prepare a post and video since one of the nation’s top fife and drum units made their march into New Jersey during a warm spell in July 2023. First in Morristown at…
Honoring our Bernards Township Armed Service Veterans this Veterans Day
Views: 13,402 Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Bernards Township and Bernardsville honor our military veterans with a banner salute around the Bernards Township Municipal building and in the downtown Bernardsville area. The banners usually stay up between the two…
Bernardsville Honors Local Military
Views: 5,731 The borough of Bernardsville, New Jersey, in conjunction with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Memorial Post 7858 and Downtown Bernardsville, honors local soldiers with a program entitled “Bernardsville honors our soldiers.” Bernardsville was once part of Bernards…
Honoring WW2 Veterans Book In Service – 1941-1944 Now Online
Views: 1,045 Mr. Local History’s “Operation Honor Roll” Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, honoring ALL those Bernards Township residents who have served in our military. We’re seeking volunteers to undertake this ambitious endeavor “In Service 1941-1944”: The Somerset Hills Military Service…
Share Bedminster Cantonment History With A Pocket Park – America 250 Ideas
Views: 836 With America’s 250th anniversary just around the corner, there’s no better time to recognize great American history about what we’ve coined “The Greatest Story Never Told” about the American Revolution – The Academy that came 24 years before…
Historic Moment at the Pluckemin Cantonment – Archeologist Finds His Mark
Views: 1,947 It was a cold, winterish April afternoon at the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster, New Jersey, as a very special guest came to tell his story about what has become a signature event in the history of the…
Basking Ridge’s Historic Rushmore 5 in American History
Views: 2,092 MLH Mini-Series: The Basking Ridge Rushmore 5 in American History What better way to preserve local history than by writing about people who have made Basking Ridge one of the most historic places in America to live? I’ve…
Independence Day – Kudos to New Jersey Signers #jersey5
Views: 17,031 The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment, and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. Jefferson drafted the statement between June 11 and 28, submitted drafts to…
New Jersey’s Gift to America 250 – A July 4 Celebration You Must See
Views: 3,346 RAIN or SHINE – EVERY July 4th at 10:30 am – Join friends and family on Independence Day as the Washington Camp Ground Association honors the American flag, the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, and the reading…
The American Flag Means Liberty Corner’s Annin Family
Views: 14,913 Flag Day is celebrated on June 14 to commemorate the adoption of the American flag by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. The flag was immediately couriered to General Washington’s camp in a field just north of…
Rev War in Somerset County Means Middlebrook
Views: 6,786 Middlebrook is a know area in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater, Somerset County, New Jersey. We call it “Jersey’s Gift to America.” New Jersey is known as the “cockpit of the American revolution.” More battles were fought in…
Why EVERYONE Should Fly THIS American Flag & Don’t Ask Betsy Ross
Views: 10,135 Meet Francis Hopkinson – New Jersey signer #Jersey5 signer of the Declaration of Independence, who also designed, presented, and received the Continental Congress’s Approval as America’s First official flag on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia. The Francis Hopkinson…
History of The Official Bernards Township Flag
Views: 7,238 Bernards Township has an impressive history that dates back to the early 1600s. The Mr. Local History Project started investigating the origins of the Bernards Township official flag. Let’s see what we’ve found. Bernards Township Flag Design A…
Lord Stirling’s Rev War Beacon Signal Towers
Views: 16,155 General Washington, the Continental Army, and General Lord Stirling of Basking Ridge drew inspiration from history and created a sophisticated communications network to track the British movement. They were called the “Beacons.” We start off with a classic…
Bedminster Township’s Vanderveer Knox House
Views: 12,074 UPDATE: July 31, 2025: A new Bedminster Township-led commission has taken over the property and its contents, creating a new mission to preserve and promote the Vanderveer House and Museum in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. Learn More Bedminster’s…
Before the West Point Military Academy (USMA) There was Pluckemin
Views: 197,403 America’s First Military Academy, the Pluckemin Academy (Dec.1778) was 24 Years BEFORE West Point (Mar. 16, 1802). One of the greatest untold stories of the American Revolution.The Pluckemin Winter Cantonment, part of the overall Middlebrook Encampment of 1778-1779.…
1779 – Grand Alliance Ball – Pluckemin New Jersey
Views: 17,522 “The entertainment began with a discharge of 13 cannons at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.” The Grand Alliance Ball – Sunday, February 18, 1779 , Pluckemin, New Jersey Sunday, February 18, 1779 , Pluckemin, New Jersey One of…