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
Elizabethtown
Original name of the city
William Livingston
First Governor of NJ, lived at Liberty Hall.
Rev. James Caldwell
Patriot preacher, martyr of the Revolution
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
Founding Capital
First Capital of New Jersey
Elias Boudinot
President of the Continental Congress
1664
Elizabethtown founded.
1775
Revolutionary War begins
Our City: Stories That Shape America
“Heart of a Nation: Elizabeth at 250” is a 52-week broadcast mini-series airing on CableVision Channel 18 during the GoElizabethNJ250 Celebration (October 1, 2025 – October 31, 2026). Hosted by Mayor Christian J. Bollwage, each episode of Our City explores a unique dimension of Elizabeth, New Jersey — its people, history, resilience, innovation, and future — through interviews, storytelling, and community segments.
The series celebrates the spirit of Elizabeth as the birthplace of New Jersey and a cornerstone of America’s story, connecting past and present through the voices of those who continue to shape the city’s legacy.
Airing weekly on CableVision Channel 18 • Produced in partnership with GoElizabethNJ250.
GoElizabethNJ250 Partners & Sponsors
250th Community & Statewide Events
Homecoming 250
October 1 @ 4:00 pm - November 30 @ 5:00 pm
Mini Exhibit: Continental Navy | Oct 2025
October 2 - October 31
Old Homes Week Exhibit | Elizabeth NJ Oct 2025
October 2 - October 30
Featured Gallery Moments
Explore the story of Elizabeth’s 250th through recent events and community snapshots.
Annual Midtown Car Show – September 2025
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
From Our Timeline
Elizabeth’s Revolutionary Role — Boxwood Hall’s Founding Story
admin2025-10-08T11:35:21-04:00Revolutionary War & Early American Republic (1775–1800)|
Mayor Bollwage’s Our City explores Elizabeth, NJ’s Revolutionary War roots through Boxwood Hall and the city’s fight for independence.
Elizabeth Ambassador Tourism Certification (Free)
admin2025-10-07T18:51:38-04:00Elizabeth Today & The Road to 250 (2000–Present)|
A free, self-paced course certifying Elizabeth Ambassadors to welcome visitors for America 250 and beyond.
Elizabeth Students Set Human Submarine Record
admin2025-10-07T18:51:38-04:00Elizabeth Today & The Road to 250 (2000–Present)|
Elizabeth sets world record with largest human submarine image—uniting thousands of students in a bold visual celebration.
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.
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.
explore our volunteer opportunities by clicking on a category below. Follow the instructions to register
ADMINISTRATIVE
PLANNING & LOGISTICS
FUNDRAISING
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT
MARKETING
EVALUATION COMMITTEE
HISTORY & EDUCATION
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
