We in Sussex County are preparing for a great event in the history of the United States.
That will be the 250th celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. It seems like a long time away, but we in the county are preparing for it this year.
We will ramp up next year with identifying, recognizing and describing the tension that built up during 1775, a time of increasing animosity with the British, a difference of opinion that culminated in the Declaration.
The state of New Jersey is providing the templates for us to announce that we are to begin our journey toward showing that we embrace our history, the heritage of the greatest country on Earth.
As the Sussex County historian, I encourage each town in the county to use this template to craft their support of the celebration of Revolutionary 250.
Several towns have taken this proclamation and accepted it, including Sparta, Sussex and Ogdensburg.
As president of the Hardyston Historical Society, I offered this to our town council and they readily made the Hardyston Township proclamation.
Much of what we will do is in conjunction with New Jersey Historical Commission. You may find out more about the proclamation online at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/628bc970e43c614f0e301a6d/t/63a09698615f060ac6a748ae/1671468696784/RevolutionNJ+Community+Draft+Resolution%5B51%5D.pdf
Here in Sussex County, our core team of the county’s esteemed historians are in the process of building a foundation on which an enjoyable recognition of the important time may be had.
We are working with organizations, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, finding veterans of the Revolutionary War in our cemeteries, the women that we can recognize who supported the cause, and a timeline.
We will be reaching out to each of the 18 historical societies for their support. I will be contacting the towns to encourage the proclamatio, and the schools to get students involved. We are building up the history page of the Sussex County website to show activity.
For information and to become involved, feel free to reach out to me at billt1425@gmail.com
Now that April is here, we can see the blessed spring with the yellow daffodils and forsythia, greening grass, buds appearing and the warmer weather embracing us.
Have a great Sussex County spring!
Bill Truran, Sussex County’s historian, may be contacted at billt1425@gmail.com