Residents and visitors from all over the world recognize Trenton as a powerhouse of the Revolutionary War. A colonial community with roots in the very beginnings of our nation, Trenton has no doubt played an integral role in influencing what we now call home.
Trenton’s role in the Revolution has made this community a staple of learning in history textbooks all throughout the country. However, the perspectives shared in these traditional narratives often leave out the experiences of groups like women, African Americans, Indigenous peoples, and Loyalists, offering a limited view of the vast perspectives that lived through this critical moment in time. To help illuminate the full story of the American Revolution, you are invited to join the New Jersey Historical Commission for their upcoming conference, “Unfinished Revolution: New Perspectives on the American Revolution”.
This year’s NJHC conference will be held on Friday, November 17th from 7:30am to 5pm at Trenton’s War Memorial, located at 1 Memorial Drive Trenton, NJ 08608. Admission for the conference is available at the following tiers:
- $5 for students
- $85 for general admission
- $100 for exhibitors
Please note that the prices listed above do not reflect any applicable taxes or fees. You can purchase tickets in advanced on Eventbrite, linked here: NJHC- Tickets. In order to further advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, free admission is available to those experiencing economic hardship. Please email rachel.thimke@sos.nj.gov for a promotional code to register for the conference free of charge. Admission includes access to all speeches, discussions, and workshops, as well as a delicious catered lunch courtesy of Trenton’s 1911 Smokehouse BBQ. Conference admission also includes access to the Old Barracks museum from 11:30am to 3:00pm, where guests can go and explore at their leisure.
This conference comes on the heels of America’s 250th anniversary, which will be here before we know it in 2026. At the conference, leading experts in the field will share new research to help scholars, public historians, and members of the public prepare for this major milestone in our nation’s history. A special emphasis has been placed on highlighting the stories of those historically left out of the typical narratives.
The keynote speaker for this event is Dr. Ned Blackhawk (Western Shoshone), Howard R. Lamar Professor of History and American Studies at Yale University. Mr. Blackhawk is also author of The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History, for which he has been named a 2023 National Book Award Finalist.
Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy a number of panel sessions, including:
- “All the horrors of a Civil War” Loyalist Interpretations in New Jersey
- Reframing Revolutionary Women
- Buried Revolution: Land and Sea
- Which Flag does Freedom Fly? African American Experiences of the American Revolution
The day will close out with workshops, including:
- Old Barracks Museum (3:30-5:00pm): Interpreters from the Old Barracks will share advice on how to bring diverse stories into living history experiences using their exhibition Soldiers of Color as a case study.
- New Jersey State Archives (3:30-5:00pm): Archivists at the New Jersey State Archives will share under-researched documents pertaining to the American Revolution. Attendees will have the chance to review primary sources and brainstorm ideas for future research.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the conference prior to attending, please contact the New Jersey Historical Commission at (609) 292-6062 for additional information. This day of education and exploration will be no doubt be an enlightening day for any history buff, so be sure to secure your spot today.
