The Veterans Administration’s XC Files are often overlooked by researchers, despite holding over a million boxes of records on 20th-century U.S. veterans. Detailed service, medical, and personal documents are included in these files, offering rich insights into veterans’ lives. Their creation, contents, and storage system will be explained, and guidance will be provided on how access can be requested through the VA’s complex procedures. Examples will be shown, and practical tips will be shared.

Alec Ferretti is a New York City based professional genealogist who has worked for the Wells Fargo Family & Business History Center researching family histories. Alec specializes in the genealogy of 20th century immigrants to the United States. He is a regular lecturer at genealogical societies and conferences. He serves as the President of the New York Genealogy & Technology Group, serves actively on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists and on the Board of Reclaim the Records, a nonprofit dedicated to wrangling public records from obstinate government agencies.

Meeting registration will close Friday, July 18, handout and meeting link will be emailed to registrants on Saturday July 19

Register online here:

Educator Ron Rinaldi, a reenactor who specializes in portraying Generals George Washington & Nathaniel Greene, will speak on Washington’s Leadership at the First Presbyterian Church on River Drive in Titusville, NJ.

Rinaldi will examine Washington’s military development, including his growth from a militia colonel in the French and Indian War, to Commander in Chief and victor in the American Revolution. It will examine his personal and professional military growth, lessons he learned, and how he attempted to navigate his personal military beliefs and needs to win independence, and establish the Revolution's values against a standing army and reliance on citizen soldiers.

Step back into the past and experience Revolutionary-era New Jersey at Somerset County’s free living history event for the whole family – History on the Green! Visit the Historic Somerset County Courthouse Green in Somerville on Saturday, July 19th, from 10:00AM-4:00PM to see history come to life! Explore a pop-up encampment and visit with Revolutionary War soldiers, meet General George Washington and his wife Martha Washington, see colonial-era artisans in action, experience cannon and musket firing demonstrations, play with colonial toys and games, listen to period music, and more! Visit our website for the most updated activity schedule for the day of the event.

www.somersetcountynj.gov/historyonthegreen

Led by expert Historical Interpreters, our battlefield tours include an in-depth walk through the historic Thomas Clarke House and an immersive look at the pivotal Battle of Princeton.

Registration required at https://pbs1777.org/battlefield-tours/

Get the latest details on each date at:

www.revolutionarycrawlsandevents.com/upcoming-events

This is not just a pub crawl; it's an experience!

Join us for a spirited adventure into America's past where history comes alive as you journey through historic towns, stopping at four unique pubs. Led by fife and drum, you'll be accompanied by iconic figures like George Washington, Ben Franklin, John & Abigail Adams, Benedict Arnold, as well as unsung heroes of the Revolution for Freedom. At each stop, crawlers will enjoy a captivating historical presentation by professional reenactors and discounted drinks and fare.

Event details are at www.revolutionarycrawlsandevents.com/upcoming-events

Love baseball and history? Then bring your chair and sunscreen to Historic New Bridge Landing as the Bergen County Historical Society hosts Vintage Baseball on Saturday, July 12th 11 am -2 pm 1201 Main Street River Edge, NJ 07661

Dressed in authentic uniforms, the Flemington Neshanocks and the Enterprise Club of New Bridge will play against each other with 19th-century rules and equipment in a doubleheader game.

In between games enjoy a special performance by the Blue Chip Chorus barbershop quartet as they sing nostalgic songs of the past.

Take a tour of the Campbell-Christie house while you cool off and stop by the gift shop to find a unique souvenir from the day.

Hot dogs, snacks, and drinks will be available for purchase and an ice cream truck will also be on site.

Ticket reservations are encouraged: $12 adults, $7 students, BCHS members free.

Free parking available on site or take the train to the “New Bridge Landing” station on the Pascack Valley Line.

Dogs are permitted on site on a leash but not in the houses.

For ticket reservations and additional information visit the society’s website www.bergencountyhistory.org, Email: contactBCHS@bergencountyhistory.org , or call 201-343-9492 and leave a message.

250 years ago the summer of 1775 saw the First Provincial Congress of New Jersey, offering New Jersey an alternative legislature to the General Assembly called by the Royal Governor. Frederick Frelinghuysen, father of the Gen. Frelinghuysen whose historic home is now the Raritan Public Library, represented Somerset County and served this Congress as an assistant secretary.

Follow Frederick Frelinghuysen from the Old Dutch Parsonage of Somerville and Gen. Frelinghuysen House of Raritan to the Provincial Congress of New Jersey at Trenton in 1775.

The Raritan Historic & Cultural Committee host this program at Raritan Public Library.

The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills invites you to "The March to Yorktown Day" Panel Discussion and Exhibit, June 6, 2025 from 1 -3 pm at the Brick Academy, 15 West Oak St., Basking Ridge, NJ.

$15 for members; $20 for non-members, cash only to be collected at the door. Registration required, sign up at THSSH.org/Programs

For details contact Cynthia Crosson, Trustee, The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills, Phone: 908-217-9667.

Bergen County’s 2nd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular will return this July 4th at Overpeck County Park. All are invited to attend this patriotic afternoon of family fun which will include children’s activities, two-dozen food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and stunning fireworks to conclude the evening over Overpeck Creek.

The evening will also feature the triumphant return of the New Jersey Wind Symphony with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with live artillery from Howitzer cannons.

Festivities are set to begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Ridgefield Park section of Overpeck County Park.

Music and festivities will start at 2:30 p.m. on July 4th. The New Jersey Wind Symphony will perform at 8:00 p.m. For event updates and additional performance announcements, follow the Bergen County Parks System on Facebook and Instagram or visit BergenJuly4th.org. 

A rain date for Bergen County’s Star-Spangled Spectacular is scheduled for July 5th in the event poor weather.

Bergen County’s Star-Spangled Spectacular is an official event of Bergen250, an initiative spearheaded by the Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs within the Bergen County Department of Parks aimed at commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution through Bergen County’s diverse lens of people, places, and culture.

On July 4, 1778, General George Washington ordered the Continental Army to perform a fue de joie (fire of joy) on the banks of the Raritan River. Celebrate that historic event and Independence Day at the Village.

Join General George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Baron von Steuben for a commemoration of the feu de joie (fire of joy) that took place on the banks of the Raritan River on July 4th, 1778. The day begins with the inaugural Revolutionary Celebration Run.  Register here for this free 5k in Johnson Park. Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy a concert of patriotic-themed music on the front lawn. Listen to 18th-century music and hear stories from General George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Baron von Steuben at the Indian Queen Tavern. Lady Kettle Corn, The Craft Caffe, and The Mexi-Boys will serve up savory eats and sweet treats. For your convenience, RIDE, the County’s shuttle service, will provide FREE, accessible, on-demand transportation between East Jersey Old Town Village and The Cornelius Low House. Park in one spot and experience multiple historic sites.

Every year, Morven is the host of a free, family-friendly celebration of Independence Day! Stop by our beautiful gardens in the early-to-mid-afternoon for patriotic activities, food trucks, live entertainment, and so much more!

Classic American Tales (CAT) presents THE DIARY OF MARGARET MORRIS, who witnessed Hessians coming into her New Jersey town during the American Revolution, performed by professional actor and artistic director of CAT, Gayle Stahlhuth. Along with the performance, tasty treats and lemonade will be served, all for only $12, cash or check at the door.  Reservations are appreciated and may be made by contacting CAT at 609-884-5898 or classicamericantales@aol.com

https://www.classicamericantales.org/schedule.html

Dive into the American Revolutionary War times with John Ryan of Historic Cold Spring Village as he brings the Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet to life with fascinating stories and insights. Don’t miss this chance to explore a pivotal moment from the Revolutionary War that took place off the coast of Cape May! Perfect for history buffs and curious minds alike, this event offers a unique look at a lesser known yet significant battle.

One of the most highly anticipated events in South Jersey, with over 10,000 attending.

Visit https://www.hammontonnj.us/red-white-blueberry-festival for more information.

The Museum will be open to visitors on the same day as the fireworks! There will be a Special Revolution Talk at 3PM. Come learn about Bloomingdale during the Revolution.

On June 23rd, 1778, the Continental Army entered the Hopewell Valley and camped on John Hart’s farm. In the following few days, Washington would make plans to attack the British as they marched through New Jersey, trying to get back to New York City. But what was life like for the soldiers of Washington’s army camped on John Hart's farm? How had recent campaigns forced the army to change? Who were these soldiers, and why was this army camped at Hopewell in the early Summer of 1778 different from the army that had marched defeated into Valley Forge in December 1777? On June 25th, Asher Lurie will explain the experiences of these soldiers, clothed and equipped as a soldier of the New Jersey line as they would have looked during the Monmouth Campaign.

This program is in memory of Cate Litvack, who spent decades promoting New Jersey's role in the American Revolution.

Please enjoy an early preview of the D&R Greenway Land Trust’s future park at Hillside Farm. This is a special opportunity at Hillside Farm, a property donated to D&R Greenway Land Trust by the family of Betty Wold Johnson. The property is not open to the public at this time; D&R Greenway will be opening a public preserve on this land in the fall of 2026.

About the speaker:

Asher Lurie has been the Executive Director at the Hopewell Museum since January 2024. Before that, Asher worked at the Old Barracks from 2009 to 2022 as the Chief of Historical Interpretation. Mr. Lurie’s area of study is politics, society, and the military in Great Britain and Colonial America in the 18th Century.

This program is sponsored by The Hopewell Museum, the Hopewell Valley Historical Society, the D&R Greenway Land Trust, the Hopewell Public Library, and Crossroads of the American Revolution.

To attend, register using the link below.
https://www.hopewellvalleyhistory.org/event-details/washingtons-army-at-hopewell-the-new-continental-army-of-1778/form

Join the Friends of Millstone Township Historic Registered Properties as we unveil a new commemorative sign honoring the historic African American community of Woodville, New Jersey. The unveiling will be partnered with a ceremony led by the St. James A.M.E. Church, including remarks from distinguished guests, music, a Libation Ceremony, and refreshments.

The event is free and will be held at Wagner Farm Park at 4 Baird Road on June 19th at 5:30 pm. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot no later than June 15 using the link below!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-looking-back-to-look-forward-tickets-1321483636129?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us for a series of fascinating talks with author Larry Kidder, exploring the untold human stories and military events surrounding the Battle of Princeton

Tavern Talks returns, with a visit to Wild Air Beerworks in Asbury Park.

In this interactive event, attendees will get the chance to talk with reenactors and draw their own conclusions about the past.

Wild Air Beerworks hosts RevolutionNJ and friends to explore the aftermath of the Revolution in New Jersey. Participants are invited to imagine that you are in a colonial tavern after the Treaty of Paris was signed. The tavern air smells like beer and fresh government. Reenactors and participants will come up with new and exciting ways to fill the British Empire-shaped hole left behind by the War. What kind of government do we want? What will representation look like? Who will have a say in how things are done? What exactly should this new constitution consider?

Participants will explore the questions faced by everyday people in the wake of the American Revolution and decide the fate of our young republic. You might find that the past is closer than you think.

Click here to sign up. 

Stanley Saperstein will perform a presentation as Francis Hopkinson, New Jersey Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Hopkinson, a member of the Congressional Marine Committee, claimed that he had created the Stars and Stripes. The presentation will be held in the Visitor Center Museum’s auditorium at 2:00 PM.

The Visitor Center Museum will be open from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. featuring The Swan Historical Foundation’s Collection of 500+ Colonial and Revolutionary War artifacts.

For more information call (609) 737-0623

Well, "Heavens to Betsy!" The Millville Historical Society is thrilled to welcome the famous flagmaker herself, Betsy Ross, on Saturday, June 14th. Festivities for this year’s MHS Ice Cream Social begin at 1:00 pm at the 1814 David C. Wood Mansion House located at 821 Columbia Avenue, Millville, New Jersey, and continue until 4:00 pm.

At 2:00 pm, enjoy a special performance by Jill Lawrence of the American Historical Theatre , portraying Elizabeth Griscom Ross Ashburn Claypoole, better known as Betsy Ross.

During this engaging presentation, attendees will meet the lady behind the legends, discover the true history of the flag, and have the opportunity to master Betsy’s “famous” trick: cutting a five-pointed star with a single snip of the scissors.

"Jill earned her BFA with honors in Musical Theater from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and her high school diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. She has performed with the Ziggaraut Theater in Los Angeles, The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, American Family Theaters and The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, just to name a few. For many years she welcomed visitors from all over the world as Betsy Ross at the Betsy Ross house…." (From American Historical Theatre)

Guests are invited to indulge in more than just historical tidbits: they can also enjoy a scoop of delicious ice cream. There will be a build-your-own sundae bar and a demonstration on how to make ice cream the old-fashioned way using a hand crank. There will also be a display of vintage ice cream utensils.

Adding to the patriotic atmosphere of the day, Cynthia Smith will be playing the dulcimer, flute and whistle. Cynthia has been researching, performing and recording her music from the 1700s for over 15 years.

Topping off the day’s activities, the Millville Historical Society will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed shed built to house the 1886 Whitaker Ice Wagon! While the wagon itself has not yet been restored, "she" will proudly take her place in her new home as she awaits a future facelift. Vintage photos of the historic wagon will also be on display.

A special thank you to the Cumberland County Cultural & Heritage Commission for their help with the day. The event is free and open to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted.

As a proud partner of Revolution NJ, the Millville Historical Society continues to present programs relating to the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.

Parking is available behind the Mansion House, accessible from Church Street.

Sign up for a FREE online “Peek” and Virtual Talk about the new Museum and Visitor’s Center coming to Washington Crossing State Park (NJ) presented by Clay Craighead and Mark Sirak, Lead Historians at WCSP

Mark and Clay will present the $28 million improvements underway at Hopewell Township's nationally-known historic landmark.

Register and send in any question that Mark and Clay can answer for you about:
· Immersive "Experience the Crossing" feature
· Swan Foundation’s remarkable artifacts
· Improvements to the Park's 13 miles of trails
· Restoration of the Park’s 1932 Arboretum
· Preparations for 2026’s 250th Birthday Celebration
· Return of the Harding Mural

Sign up at https://www.penningtonlibrary.org/WCSP

This free webinar is a partnership between the Washington Crossing Park Association and the Pennington Library. If you're unable to attend live, registered participants will be able to ask questions and receive a recording after the event.

Acclaimed author Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize winner, and author of, The British Are Coming and The Liberation Trilogy, is returning to Washington Crossing Historic Park to discuss the 2nd entry in his ongoing Revolution Trilogy, *The Fate of the Day*. Atkinson’s newest work picks up the history of the Revolution where he left off, and covers the years of 1777-1780, where the Continental army went through some of its toughest challenges.

This Lecture will take place on June 10th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. It will feature a lecture by Rick Atkinson on his new book, as well as time for him to sign purchased books. Tickets are $40 to attend, $65 to attend and get a copy of the book, and $90 for two attendees and one copy of the book. Tickets can be purchased here, they will not be sold “at the door”.

This lecture is presented in Partnership with the Princeton Battlefield Society as part of their Cadwalader Lecture Series and sponsored in part by the Sons of the American Revolution.

Rick Geffken returns to discuss the Garden State’s evolving attitudes after New Jersey was the last northern state to ratify the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery everywhere. Jim Crow laws and attitudes legalized racial segregation. How did New Jersey “white wash” its history of slavery from books and the public educational system?