Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage

Saturday, April 25, 2026, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 Hike the historic bounds of "Hope Farm" from the Wallace House in Somerville to the Raritan River Greenway. Learn about the building of the Wallace House 250 years ago, the historic preservation of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage underway today and the American Revolution on the Raritan River. The walk covers about 3.1 miles on flat surfaces on sidewalk and pavement. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy footgear and bring water and snacks. The walk takes about 1 ½ hours and begins and ends at Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites. Preview route on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VhcsUCjaA96eiCF37 “Liberty Lives Here” is presented by the Downtown Somerville Alliance, celebrating America 250 in Somerville, New Jersey, with the sponsorship of the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, supporters of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites and Proud Partners of Revolution NJ. ? The 4th Saturday of April is Celebrate Trails Day — @RailsToTrails’ annual celebration of America’s trails! 2026 marks #America250 and @railstotrails 40th, so it’s going to be an

Sunday, May 24, 2026, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites, N.J. 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 Join a jubilee of environmental protection and historic preservation commemorating the rehabilitation of the Wallace House for Revolution NJ. Reenactor Scott Lance practices historic carpentry “At the Sign of the Adze, Axe, and Chisel” and the Old Millstone Forge Association demonstrates blacksmithing from a mobile forge on the grounds of the Wallace House. Interactive exhibits introduce sustainable materials and traditional techniques including oak and pine, earth and flax, cedar and stone used in the construction of the Wallace House 250 years ago and in the rehabilitation of the Wallace House now underway. The Forest Service features New Jersey’s Big and Heritage Trees and discusses the conservation of New Jersey’s forests today. ? 2 p.m. Historical musician and balladeer Linda Russell presents Songs of Nature and the Land from the American Revolution to the environmental movement. “Liberty Lives Here” is presented by the Downtown Somerville Alliance, celebrating America 250 in Somerville, New Jersey, with the sponsorship of the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, supporters of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites

Portraying a licensed keeper of a public house, known as a publican, Michael Carver will capture the spirit of a tavern of the 1770s. Portraying a licensed keeper of a public house, known as a publican, Michael Carver will capture the spirit of a tavern on the eve of American independence with parlor games, competitive toasting and sharing of period news and events. Program is free, but donations are appreciated. Reservations are required as space is limited. Food and drink are available to purchase from Project P.U.B. Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites and Tapastre/Project P.U.B. are destinations for Sip & See Somerset, a passport to heritage tourism and craft drink in Somerset County: https://visitsomersetnj.org/see-central-somerset/ #SipSeeSomerset

250 years ago on July 2, 1776, Old Dutch Parsonage’s Frederick Frelinghuysen and Rev. Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh were among the delegates from Somerset County to the Provincial Congress of New Jersey in Burlington. They adopted New Jersey’s first Constitution, declaring New Jersey independent of Great Britain “for no other Cause than asserting their Just Rights.” Join a dramatic reading of New Jersey’s first Constitution of July 2, 1776 as the sun sets and the beacon is lit on the 250th anniversary of New Jersey’s Declaration of Independence. Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites are supported by the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, Proud Partner of Revolution NJ. ? The Revitalization of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites is underway “Down the Brook” for Revolution NJ. The historic rehabilitation of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage is supported in part by Semiquincentennial Grants from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. ? 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.

250 years ago on July 4, 1776, New Jersey was among the Thirteen Colonies to “solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.” Join a jubilee for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States at the Wallace House, a historic home built alongside the nation 250 years ago in 1776. Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites are supported by the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, Proud Partner of Revolution NJ. ? The Revitalization of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites is underway “Down the Brook” for Revolution NJ. The historic rehabilitation of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage is supported in part by Semiquincentennial Grants from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. ? 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.