RevolutionNJ, the State’s official initiative to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026, has announced that over 100 New Jersey communities and 200 New Jersey organizations have officially joined in the 250thpreparations.
In 2018 the New Jersey State Legislature charged the New Jersey Historical Commission with planning the State’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. With Crossroads of the American Revolution Association as its non-profit partner, RevolutionNJ was formed. Over the past six years, RevolutionNJ has worked steadily to build a commemoration that capitalizes on New Jersey’s unique history and re-engages its residents with the American ideals of freedom, liberty, and equality.
To help all New Jerseyans participate in this once-in-a-generation commemoration, RevolutionNJ created the RevolutionNJ Community and Proud Partner programs in 2023. Since then, over 100 communities from around the state and 200 organizations representing a wide range of sectors have joined the initiative.
“Participating in the 250th commemoration is an excellent opportunity to unite New Jerseyans while building a better future for the next generation,” said Sara Cureton, executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission. “As seen during the 1976 bicentennial, milestone anniversaries can serve as a catalyst to build heritage tourism, strengthen history education in public schools, encourage civic engagement, generate funding for local organizations, and bring together various groups of people around a common cause. Through the RevolutionNJ Community and Proud Partner programs, we aim to provide New Jersey with the tools and resources necessary to achieve these goals in 2026 and beyond.”
“New Jersey is a diverse state in many ways, so we know there will be no one-size-fits-all commemoration,” said Carrie Fellows, executive director of the non-profit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association. “Our goal is to empower New Jersey communities, organizations, and businesses to find their own connection to America’s 250th whether that be through a community clean-up event, the creation of a new symphony, or a fireworks display.”
Organizations that join the RevolutionNJ Community and Proud Partner programs receive official recognition by RevolutionNJ, use of the RevolutionNJ Community and Proud Partner branding kits, ability to add their programs to statewide and nation event calendars, and invitations to exclusive networking events and planning resources. This is in addition to the option to participate in cooperative advertising and marketing opportunities as well as nationally organized programs.
“2026 will be a unique opportunity for all New Jerseyans to assess the last 250 years of our history and to look forward to the next 250 years,” said New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way who oversees the New Jersey Historical Commission in her role as New Jersey Secretary of State. “In this endeavor, New Jersey’s businesses, municipalities, counties, and community groups will play an essential role. We hope they will take advantage of the free tools and resources provided by the RevolutionNJ Proud Partner and Community programs to prepare for this special moment in our nation’s and state’s history.”
To learn more about RevolutionNJ Communities and Proud Partners program, visit https://revnj.org/join-us.
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