Stories that Shape America: Elizabeth, NJ
elizabeth 250th planning committee

MAYOR J. CHRISTIAN BOLLWAGE, THE CITY OF ELIZABETH, CO-CHAIR
REV. DR. WANDA M. LUNDY, CO-CHAIR
AIMEE FERNANDEZ-PUENTE, CO-CHAIR
Administrative Sub-Committee
To Be Determined
Planning & Logistics Sub-Committee
DOn Treich
History & Education Sub-Committee
Elliot Johnson
Volunteer Management Sub-Committee
Miguel Carvalho
Evaluation Committee Sub-Committee
To Be Determined
Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee
To Be Determined
Marketing & Promotions Sub-Committee
Jason ‘Remeoner’ Ellington
Fundraising & Sponsorship Sub-Committee
To Be Determined
Emergency Preparedness Sub-Committee
To Be Determined
People, Place, or Thing of the day for Elizabeth, NJ
William Livingston
First Governor of NJ, lived at Liberty Hall.
Rev. James Caldwell
Patriot preacher, martyr of the Revolution
Aaron Ogden
NJ Governor, U.S. Senator, and steamboat entrepreneur
Elizabethtown
Original name of the city
1800s
Railroads and immigration boom
Mayor J. Christian Bollwage
Longest-serving mayor in Elizabeth
Hannah Caldwell
Wife of Rev. James Caldwell, famously killed by British troops
Jonathan Dayton
Youngest signer of the U.S. Constitution
1664
Elizabethtown founded.
1775
Revolutionary War begins
Join the Elizabeth,NJ Historical Timeline
Featured Video
Featured Gallery Moments
Explore the story of Elizabeth’s 250th through recent events and community snapshots.

Elizabeth 4th of July Celebration 2025

2024 Info Session – GoElizabethNJ250 Community Kickoff

Elizabeth Tourism’s 10th Anniversary Kick-Off

Union County Kickoff – 250th Anniversary Awareness Walk

Elizabeth, New Jersey, has been a cornerstone of American history since the nation’s founding. As we approach America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026, we are proud to commemorate our city’s role in shaping the American experience. Through stories of resilience, innovation, and community, we honor the past while looking toward the future.
As an official partner of RevolutionNJ, the state’s lead organization for New Jersey’s 250th commemoration, Elizabeth at 250 will engage residents, visitors, and historians through events, storytelling, and historical reflections that highlight our city’s rich contributions to the nation’s founding and growth.
Join us in celebrating Elizabeth at 250: Stories That Shape America—a campaign that connects our city’s legacy with the next generation.
From the Timeline
Birth of Elizabeth: The Breakup of Elizabethtown, 1855
GoElizabethNJ250_Admin2025-07-15T11:24:07-04:00Industrial Growth & Immigration (1800–1900)|
From township to city: how Elizabethtown’s split gave rise to Elizabeth and its Union County neighbors.
2025 Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Honors City Legends
admin2025-06-10T12:24:55-04:00Elizabeth Today & The Road to 250 (2000–Present)|
Eight standout athletes and the 1990 Minutemen were honored at the 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Dinner in Elizabeth.
Rev. James & Hannah Caldwell: Elizabeth’s Patriots
admin2025-05-23T12:26:52-04:00Revolutionary War & Early American Republic (1775–1800)|
Explore the story of Rev. James and Hannah Caldwell, Revolutionary heroes whose sacrifice helped define Elizabeth, NJ’s path to independence.
250th Community & Statewide Events
Fifty Latinas Speak – Elizabeth NJ Leadership Event
July 23 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
313+ Ancestors Speak Project: Intro Panel
July 26 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Maker Mondays: Summertime Science at Liberty Hall Museum
July 28 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Elizabeth 250th Planning Committee extends a heartfelt invitation to you, our esteemed guest, to be a part of history. As we stand on the cusp of celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, we seek your presence to pay homage to the storied past of Elizabethtown, NJ. This land, steeped in the echoes of the Revolutionary War, was not just a backdrop for battle but a forge for the liberties and values that define our nation today.
Explore our volunteer opportunities by clicking on a category below. Follow the instructions to REGISTER for the info session.
Your involvement places you amidst the tapestry of time, connecting you to the pivotal events and the valorous spirit that influenced the course of our collective future. Let us come together to acknowledge Elizabeth’s indelible impact and to ensure that the legacies left behind continue to inspire truth, freedom, and a path forward for all Americans. Your participation is not just a gesture; it is a celebration of the strides we’ve made and an invitation to the creation of our tomorrow.
Discover the myriad of ways to volunteer and celebrate Elizabeth’s revolutionary spirit. Tap into the categories below to explore the diverse sub-committees awaiting your involvement. Your presence is the bridge between past and future—join us in this historic undertaking.