County Events
Click each flyer to learn more
Dr. Daisy Century as Phillis Wheatley
April 30, 2026 in Plainfield
New Jersey’s Revolutionary Rivalry: The Untold Story of Colonel Tye and Captain Huddy
May 13th in Elizabeth
Municipal and Local Events
Events below are provided to Union County, and may be subject to change.
April 25 – 250 Years of Music with Lyrica Chamber Music
- April 25th 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
- Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Ave Union, NJ 07083
- Free
Wine, cheese, and chamber music! Join Liberty Hall in collaboration with Lyrica Chamber Music for an America250 concert social! We invite you to listen to music, converse with the musicians and your friends, and enjoy some light refreshments. Together with Lyrica, we are thrilled to showcase a trio of acclaimed artists: clarinetist Moran Katz, cellist Ani Kalayjian, and pianist David Kaplan, who will curate and perform a special program celebrating American music.
Light Refreshments. Reservation suggested.
May 2 – Colonial Taverns (Cranford)
- Saturday, May 2, at 1 p.m.
- Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford
- Free
Michael Gabriel presents Colonial Taverns.
Co-sponsored with Cranford’s 250 RevolutionNJ Committee and the Crane’s Ford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
May 2 – Native American Heritage Program (Elizabeth)
- 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
- 11 S. Broad St., Elizabeth, NJ
- Free
Native American Heritage Programs celebrate the local Lenape (Delaware Indian) culture & contributions of Native Americans.
This event includes both a lecture and demonstration, as well as hands-on interactive exhibits and craft projects for children.
This program will be presented by Carla Messinger who is a cultural educator born in Pennsylvania who has resided there all her life. She is descended from the Lenape people who remained in Pennsylvania while other Lenape migrated West.
No photography or recording is allowed during this program
May 9 – A Tour of Notable Homes (Westfield)
- 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Various Addresses in Westfield
- $50
Step inside Westfield’s most storied homes and celebrate 250 years of American history with A Tour of Notable Homes. In partnership with the Westfield Historic Preservation Commission, this special anniversary edition invites you to explore four beautifully preserved residences, each with its own unique charm and character. Enjoy live music, light refreshments, and delightful surprises along the way as you wander at your own pace through this one-of-a-kind community tradition.
May 14 – Florian Schantz Jazz Combo (Cranford)
- Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m.
- Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford
- Free
Co-sponsored with Cranford’s 250 RevolutionNJ Committee and the Friends of the Cranford Public Library.
May 17 – The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Early American Women and their Kitchen Gardens (Union Twp)
- May 17th 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Ave Union, NJ 07083
- Free
Lesley Parness, “The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Early American Women and their Kitchen Gardens” at Liberty Hall. As one of our many America 250th anniversary events, learn the role women played as horticulturists and healers in early America. Discover the importance of gardens in early America through Lesley’s pictures, presentation, and unique teaching style. This is a lecture-style event with a Q&A session at the end. Guests will also have time to wander the herb and formal gardens after the light refreshments are served.
Light refreshments served.
May 17 – Summit Chorale – “Liberty & Justice for All” (Summit)
- Where – Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 587 Springfield Ave., Summit
- When – May 17th, 5pm to 7pm
- Tickets: $25 In Advance, $30 At the Door, $15 Student
Summit Chorale performs works by Florence Price, John Adams and Randall Thompson. These choral works related to events that shaped the course of American History and the leaders who chose the path, from Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln to Richard Nixon — reflecting the tragedy and triumph of American History.
Your advance ticket purchase includes access to the post-concert video, made available to all ticket purchasers after the concert, so you can enjoy the concert in the comfort of your home.
May 28 – America 250: A Musical Journey (Elizabeth)
- 10:15 am to 11:45 am
- 740 W. Grand St., Elizabeth, NJ
- Free
America 250: A Musical Journey is a joyful musical celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary presented by Dan Furnald. Through songs and styles from many eras and cultures, the program explores how music has helped tell America’s story—from its earliest roots to today. Along the way, audiences will hear familiar sounds, discover new ones, and experience how music brings people together, reflects our shared history, and celebrates the spirit of the nation.
Registration is required. Patrons can register on our event calendar at elizpl.org or call 908-353-4820 for assistance.
May 21 – Pre-Memorial Day Encampment (Union Twp)
- May 24th 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Union Township Hall
- Free
Residents are also encouraged to stop by Friberger Park, behind Town Hall, on Sunday, May 24th, from 1-4 pm to experience the Pre-Memorial Day Revolutionary War Encampment, featuring American and British Crown Forces and historical demonstrations.
May 30 – 250th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser (Union Twp)
- May 30th 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Liberty Hall Museum
More information coming soon
May 31 – Happy 250th, America! Free Concert (Westfield)
- Where – St. Paul’s, 414 E. Broad St., Westfield
- When – May 31st, 4pm to 6pm
- Free
The Society of Musical Arts presents a free symphonic concert celebrating the semiquincentennial of America, including Gould’s American Salute and Locklair’s Independence Day, along with Aaron Copland’s stirring Lincoln Portrait for narrator and orchestra. Presented on Sunday, May 31 from 4 to 6 pm at beautiful St. Paul’s Church in Westfield; conducted by Stephen Culbertson.
June 2 – Revolution Journey (Cranford)
- Tuesday, June 2, at 7 p.m.
- Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford
- Free
Speaker Joel Farkas take us on a journey from the Magna Carta (1215) to the French and Indian War to the Declaration of Independence to the Revolutionary War to the French Revolution (and Napoleon) to the War of 1812 to Today.
Co-sponsored with Cranford’s 250 RevolutionNJ Committee and the Friends of the Cranford Public Library.
June 25 – The Declaration of Independence: America’s Birth Certificate (New Providence)
- Where – New Providence Memorial Library, 377 Elkwood Ave
- When – June 25th, 7pm to 8pm
- Free
Joel Farkas presents the Declaration of Independence: America’s Birth Certificate in this fun, brisk presentation. Topics include the Magna Carta (1215), The French and Indian War, The Declaration of Independence, The Revolutionary War, Independence, The French Revolution, Napoleon, and The War of 1812. Fasten your saddles and your seatbelts – this is going to be quite a ride!
Joel Farkas has lectured extensively on the American Revolution. He is a Lecturer at the Lifelong Learning Institute at Fairleigh Dickinson University and as a volunteer docent at Washington’s Headquarters in Morristown, he received the National Park Service Centennial Volunteer Challenge Award. A collector of original historical autographs, Joel Farkas is a graduate of the Ohio State University and served as an officer in the United States Army.
This event is held in partnership with America 250 New Providence.
July 11 – Colonial Olympic Games & Ice Cream Social (Union Twp)
- July 11th 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Ave Union, NJ 07083
- Free
Who doesn’t enjoy a good old-fashioned family fun day? Join us for our Colonial Olympic Games and Ice Cream Social Day! Colonial Games were widely enjoyed by children and inspired some of the toys and games we play today. Explore and learn about what children played with, and enjoy a family-friendly competition in the lovely gardens of Liberty Hall. Afterward, to celebrate your victory, join us for a yummy good time at our Ice Cream Social! I scream, you scream…we all scream for Ice Cream!
Recommended for all ages! No experience necessary.
August 7 – Music in the Garden (Union Twp)
- August 7th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Ave Union, NJ 07083
- Free
The Livingstons and Keans have always had musicians in their families, and music has been an integral part of society since the late 1700s. Join Liberty Hall as we listen to a live band perform music from sheet music in the museum’s collection, featuring a mix of modern favorites. This special concert will take place in our beautiful gardens, so sit back, relax, and enjoy a themed cocktail with some light refreshments as you listen.
Light refreshments will be served. Reservations required.
October 10 – Colonial Beer Making Class (Union Twp)
- October 10th 10am to 5pm
- Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Ave Union, NJ 07083
- Free
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” said Benjamin Franklin. Join Liberty Hall to discover if Mr. Franklin was right! This classroom-style event offers an in-depth look at how colonists made beer. Included are a colonial-style boxed lunch, a chance to play colonial games, a tour of Liberty Hall’s first floor, and a take-home beer-making kit!
Reservations are required. Space is limited.
Local History
Battles
Welcome from Vice Chair Williams
On behalf of the Union County Board of County Commissioners, I am proud to welcome you to the County of Union’s commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.
Union County holds a unique and meaningful place in our nation’s founding. From pivotal Revolutionary War encampments and battle sites to the everyday courage of residents who shaped history, our communities were instrumental in the fight for independence and the ideals that continue to define our democracy.
As Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners and Chair of the Union County America 250 Committee, I am honored to help lead this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reflect on our past while engaging residents of all ages in meaningful ways. Through educational programming, cultural events, historical preservation, and community partnerships, our America 250 initiatives are designed not only to remember history—but to bring it to life.
This commemoration is about more than milestones and dates. It is about honoring the values of freedom, service, resilience, and civic participation that continue to shape Union County today. We invite you to explore, participate, and celebrate alongside us as we commemorate our shared history and look ahead to the future we are building together.
Thank you for joining us in honoring 250 years of American history—rooted right here in Union County. Stay tuned for all of our wonderful events throughout the year!
Rebecca Williams
Vice Chair, Union County Board of County Commissioners
Chair, Union County America 250 Committee
The 250th
Across the country, the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, marking the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the nation.
This historic milestone—formally known as the Semiquincentennial—commemorates 250 years of American history, much like the Bicentennial celebration in 1976.
