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Ahead of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, New Jersey is helping businesses and nonprofits get ready for the July 2026 celebration.

RevolutionNJ is a partnership by the New Jersey Historical Commission and Crossroads of the American Revolution Association. It offers organizations from all sectors tools, resources and connections to help them leverage the unique moment in New Jersey history.

Launched in 2023, the “Proud Partners” program has now accepted more than 100 businesses and organizations from across the state. Members represent a wide array of sectors, including arts, history, education, consulting and leisure.

Besides getting official recognition by RevolutionNJ, participating entities receive a branding kit, events calendar, and access to exclusive networking events and planning resources. There is also an option to take part in cooperative advertising and marketing opportunities.

The program is open to:

• Historic sites
• Re-enactment groups
• Higher education & K-12 schools
• Historical societies
• Performing arts and cultural groups
• State, county and local government entities
• State, regional and local chambers of commerce
• Destination marketing organizations
• Philanthropic groups
• Corporations
• Small businesses
• Nonprofits

More information about RevolutionNJ’s Proud Partners program is available here.

Getting involved

Sara Cureton is executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission. She said the initiative aims to “create a statewide experience that invites participation from New Jersey businesses and organizations of all sizes and scale.”

“The upcoming 250th is a unique opportunity for us all to recommit to the revolutionary ideals of liberty, justice, and equality,” said New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, who oversees the Historical Commission and its RevolutionNJ work in her capacity as secretary of state. “In this endeavor, New Jersey’s business and non-profit communities will play a vital role.”

Way added, “We hope they will utilize the tools and resources provided by the RevolutionNJ Proud Partner program to prepare for this special moment in our nation’s history and join us in building that ‘more perfect union’ that Americans have striven for since 1776.”

Building a nation

New Jersey hosted nearly 300 significant military engagements and hundreds of lesser-known skirmishes during the American Revolutionary War. However, its contributions to the country’s founding aren’t as widely recognized as places such as Boston or Philadelphia.

Beyond helping New Jersey claim its role in the birth of America, the state believes the Semiquincentennial could establish it as a leading destination for heritage tourism and model for teaching about American history.

Though the historic milestone is still two years away, planning efforts have been underway for quite some time to ensure the Garden State can handle the expected influx of interest leading up to July 4, 2026, and beyond.

As part of the many preparations, RevolutionNJ is working with partners in state and local government, academia, the business community, historic and destination marketing organizations and diverse communities. The efforts aim to drive research, build content, develop programming and events and enhance historical assets.

According to officials, events related to the 250th birthday will begin as early as 2024. They’re expected to continue through 2033, marking the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris. The agreement ended the Revolutionary War and recognized U.S. independence.