Views: 310 September 9, 1776 Two months after approving the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress took another important step in defining the new nation. On September 9, 1776, Congress ordered that the term “United Colonies” be replaced by “The… Read More »Congress Declares A New Nation: Call Us “United States” Not “United Colonies” September 9, 1776
Views: 552 Washington Didn’t Build His Fortress. New Jersey Did. So we start by coining a phrase, one that defines what we think Washington knew all along. A geological fortress is not an artificial fort of stone walls, towers, and… Read More »Washington’s Rev War Fortress – It Was New Jersey Itself
Views: 396 Yes, it’s true: to celebrate America 250, we have a great gift for you from our friends and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. Order anything from our fundraising gift shop or make a donation, then ask for… Read More »Free Declaration of Independence & Constitution Booklet for Supporting MLH
Views: 814 As Americans experience our 250th anniversary, historians are asking how this moment should be understood and remembered. The Mr. Local History Project is preparing an in-depth story that brings together perspectives from respected voices across our region. This… Read More »What America at 250 Means to Me Essay Series Open to All
Views: 1,503 Military protocol in the eighteenth century generally called for armies to suspend major campaigning during the winter months. Harsh weather, poor roads, limited food supplies, and the difficulty of moving men, horses, artillery, and wagons made large-scale operations… Read More »Middlebrook’s 1778-1779 Encampment – 10,000 Troops and Bridgewater’s Legacy
Views: 1,407 Long before telegraphs, radios, or cell phones, New Jersey’s mountaintops carried messages by fire. During the Revolutionary War, General William Livingston and Brigadier General William Alexander—better known as Lord Stirling—relied on a chain of signal beacons stretching across… Read More »Igniting New Jersey’s Revolutionary Signal Beacons for America 250 Effort
Views: 966 For centuries, historians have relied on books, letters, artifacts, and exhibits to tell the stories of the past. But what if visitors could do something more? What if they could actually sit down and have a conversation with… Read More »Meet HistOracle AI: New Jersey Team Brings History’s Voices Back to Life
Views: 1,456 As New Jersey commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American experience, the archaeological work at Lord Stirling Manor represents one of Somerset County’s most significant contributions to the America 250 effort. By uncovering the physical remains of William… Read More »Archaeological Dig – America’s Grandest Estate in Basking Ridge
Views: 1,819 The Statue of Liberty’s official name is “Liberty Enlightening the World”. In French:”La Liberté éclairant le monde” Her raised torch represents enlightenment, while the tablet in her left arm bears the date JULY IV MDCCLXXVI — July 4,… Read More »Statue of Liberty History, Then Some Facts – Jersey Style of Course
Views: 1,504 Perhaps you’ve heard that the US President wants an arch for Washington, DC, to honor America’s 250th anniversary. The Mr. Local History Project has another proposal: how about a nationally recognized monument for Morristown, New Jersey, America’s first… Read More »Why Morristown Deserves a Monument to Honor its Legacy
Views: 2,321 UPDATE: Yes, it happened. A NEW flagpole replaced the old, nasty, rusted version, and it finally happened on July 10, 2026. While America’s 250th birthday is underway, the Basking Ridge town green is about to get a major… Read More »Basking Ridge Town Green – The Town’s Smallest Park History & a New Flagpole
Views: 3,346 UPDATE:EXTENSION – Submissions to the program have been extended to give everyone a bit more time to complete and submit their thoughts, as well as to share their experiences over the July 4th period, providing additional retrospective in… Read More »What America at 250 Means To You as A New Jerseyian
Views: 1,923 UPDATE: Rumor has it that the new Visitor Center should open in September 2026. We’ll keep our fingers crossed! After over 250 years in the making, New Jersey has finally put its money where its mouth is and… Read More »Washington Crossing State Park’s New Visitor Center in New Jersey
Views: 477 We’re going to try to do our best to get out there and experience America’s 250th across New Jersey by attending what we can. The most fun has to be not only learning more about the history but… Read More »Documenting America’s 250th Across New Jersey
Views: 7,642 Plans for New Jersey’s 250th Anniversary include Somerset County Going Big to Back Local history in Central New Jersey 2026 marks 250 years of American Independence, and Somerset County is gearing up to participate in the national celebration. And YES, General… Read More »Somerset County Revs Up History for America’s 250th
