Somerset 250 Top Events

THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE AT BRIDGEWATER LIBRARY, 1 VOGT DRIVE, BRIDGEWATER, NJ 08807 In his new book, “Winning the Ten Crucial Days: The Keys to Victory in George Washington’s Legendary Winter Campaign,” David Price examines this pivotal moment in the War of Independence through an interpretive framework that centers around five key factors: leadership, geography, weather, artillery, and contingency. His focus differs from earlier works that are largely a chronological account. The confluence of these overlapping factors seemingly conspired to frustrate British designs at a critical moment in their effort to overpower the American rebellion. Although each was important in its own right, their aggregate influence on the course of events reflected the mutually reinforcing nature of these elements. They enabled George Washington’s army to win the “Ten Crucial Days” and propel the revolutionary cause into a lengthy war of attrition that eventuated in American independence. According to the author and historian, Edward G. Lengel, Price has given us “a timely and intriguing reappraisal of George Washington’s most outstanding military campaign.” Author and historian Mark Edward Lender notes, “the approach is novel and revealing.” Jack Kelly, author of several books on the Revolution, calls this “a fascinating and insightful look

Historical musician and balladeer Linda Russell presents songs and stories of America’s past from 1776 to 1976! Linda sings love songs, humorous ditties, patriotic anthems, work songs and tunes from America’s wars as well as a hit or two from the 1950s. Included will be audience sing-alongs, like Yankee Doodle, O Susanna, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy, The Tennessee Waltz and This Land is Your Land. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets for this outdoors performance. The Rockingham Association, friends of Rockingham State Historic Site, sponsors this program. ? Revolution NJ is New Jersey’s official observance of the 250th anniversaries of New Jersey’s first Constitution July 2, 2026 and the American Revolution in New Jersey from 2024 – 2033.

THIS IS A SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM VIRTUAL EVENT. * Use this link to join our virtual program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86913311526 Prepare for the definitive story of Revolutionary betrayal! Trace the secret, desperate midnight meetings and coded correspondence between the two men. Explore André’s daring undercover mission and the agonizing moments of his capture—when the plans for the fortress were found hidden in his boot. This near-miss not only exposed Arnold as America’s most infamous traitor but directly sealed the tragic fate of the charismatic British spy. Discover how one man’s wounded pride and another’s dedication to duty led to an act of treason that almost crushed the American cause. This is the pulse-pounding, human drama behind the treason that shook George Washington to his core. Presenter: James Calaski completed his undergraduate studies at William Paterson University of New Jersey in 1998. He served with the Glen Rock New Jersey Police Department for over twenty years, receiving numerous awards and citations. He continued his studies and received a Master of Arts degree in History at William Paterson University of New Jersey in May 2013.

THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT MONTGOMERY LIBRARY, 100 COMMUNITY DRIVE, SKILLMAN, NJ 08558. Come learn about reading, writing and education in Colonial America with a hands-on display of original and reproduction books, newspapers, printing type, and more! Appropriate for ages 4+. Discover the science behind preserving historic documents, try your hand at creating your own document by writing with a hand-cut quill pen and ink made from an 18th century recipe, or fold and seal a letter to take home. Presenter: Ben Bartgis is a conservator based in Annapolis, MD who loves bringing conservation science out of the lab and into historic sites, schools, and more through living history demos and activities. They received their MA in Preventive Conservation from Northumbria University, a certificate from Rare Book School at the University of Virginia, and participated in the Revolution in Books NEH Summer Institute at Florida Atlantic University in 2022.

Game Highlight (2): Fireworks Don’t miss the best fireworks in New Jersey after the game. | Presented By RWJ University Hospital Somerset Game Highlight: Chance To Win $10K Fans (21+) will have the chance to win $10,000 at the ballpark during the game! | Presented By Heineken Silver

This event will take place at Warren Township Library, 42 Mountain Blvd, Warren, NJ 07059. **This is part 1 of a 3 part series at Warren Township Library.** Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) produced over one thousand portraits in his lifetime, working in eight cities: Newport, Rhode Island; Edinburgh; London; Dublin; New York; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C. and Boston. Renowned for the accuracy of his facial likenesses, Stuart painted the most important Americans of his time, including presidents. One of his portraits of George Washington, for instance, is reflected in the current one-dollar bill. A charming conversationalist, to draw out his sitters’ personality (though not every story he told was true), and sometimes, irascible, Stuart became the most preeminent art authority in America. Presenter: Dr. Michael Norris got his BA in classics from the University of California at San Diego and his MA in classics and Ph.D. in art history at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He spent twenty years at the Cloisters Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and has lectured on trips all over the world. He lives in Teaneck, New Jersey.

This event will take place at Hillsborough Library, 379 S Branch Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844. Jefferson and Adams were two of our Founding Fathers. But, they were close friends for much of their lives. Learn their story in this performance from the American Historical Theater. Ages 12 and up are welcome. Bitter political rivals and close personal friends: Adams (Peyton Dixon) and Jefferson (Steve Edenbo) discuss, debate, and sometimes decry the revolutionary storms they weathered throughout a relationship spanning fifty years. They recall their bumpy collaboration on the Declaration of Independence in 1776, parting ways on its final content and even on the most appropriate date for commemorating American independence. They clash on Constitutional issues such as term limits, freedom of speech, Presidential powers, the Tenth Amendment, the First Amendment, as well as the virtues and vexations of a two-party system. By means of this dialogue between their differing visions for The United States, their contrasting views of human nature, and their political careers that inter weaved collaboration and opposition, our 2nd and 3rd Presidents find the common ground that inspired Benjamin Rush to dub them “rival friends”. This is a debate, but not one fueled by party animosity

Join the Van Harlingen Historical Society for an interactive, family-friendly program celebrating Montgomery’s rich history at the Montgomery Library! Explore a hands-on “show and tell” experience featuring artifacts, maps, photographs, and postcards from Montgomery’s past. Families can move from table to table to examine historic objects up close and learn about the stories behind these pieces of local history. Made possible with funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the New Jersey Historical Commission.