New Jersey's Declaration of Independence: "In the Reign of Charles II" A dramatic reading of "New Jersey's Declarations of Independence" features passages from June 24, 1664's Charter establishing New Jersey as an English colony; June 22, 1776's instructions to delegates to the Continental Congress; and July 2, 1776's first Constitution of New Jersey. This year's special subject "In the Reign of Charles the Second" considers the establishment of New Jersey as an English colony under the reign of King Charles II in the Old Carolean Era as the Coronation of King Charles III earlier this spring opened a New Carolean Era. Consider bringing your own lawn chairs or blankets for this outdoors presentation.

BrassWorks - Patriotic Concert Sunday, July 2 @ 3pm outside on the patio (if weather is unfavorable, the concert will take place inside the English barn) Free Registration Suggested donation $20 at the door A patio concert featuring BrassWorks Quintet in an entertaining program of patriotic favorites suitable for the whole family.  Concert includes traditional American tunes and a variety of pop favorites. There will be a reception with light refreshments following the concert and the opportunity to meet and speak with the artists. A Farmstead favorite, BrassWorks is a professional brass quintet performing at public venues, retirement communities, schools, houses of worship, corporate functions, weddings, reunions, and private parties. The group has played to audiences in the New York City, North Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania area since 2002. The BrassWorks music library contains almost six hundred arrangements of popular, Broadway, jazz, ragtime, folk, classical, international, holiday, patriotic, and traditional American music.

Phillis Wheatley in London, Summer 1773 This mini-lecture introduces the itinerary of early Black American woman poet Phillis Wheatley's six weeks in London 250 years ago in the summer of 1773, sharing the sights and scenes she toured and considering her perspectives in prose and poetry on Great Britain and America unknowingly on the verge of the American Revolution. The State Park Service offers this program as part of a series "Early Black American Women in Words" supported by New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, for the 250th anniversary of Phillis Wheatley's journey to England in 1773 and publication of Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.

Franklin Fireworks This free family friendly celebration will include food trucks, exhibitors from local township businesses, organizations, and children’s activities. Musical performances will be at the gazebo by the newly formed Township Jazz band (comprised of Franklin musicians), the Villagers Theatre and the featured band, Total Soul.