Explore Elizabeth’s History
Journey through more than 350 years of Elizabeth history. Discover the people, places, events and stories that shaped one of New Jersey’s oldest cities — and continue to shape it today.
Explore Elizabeth’s History
Journey through more than 350 years of Elizabeth history. Discover the people, places, events and stories that shaped one of New Jersey’s oldest cities — and continue to shape it today.
From Our Timeline
1668: New Jersey’s First General Assembly Meets in Elizabethtown
GoElizabethNJ250_api2026-09-04T14:21:55-04:00Founding & Colonial Era (1664–1775)|
On May 26, 1668, New Jersey's first colonial General Assembly convened in Elizabethtown's original meetinghouse, a shared setting for worship and public business. The church visible today is a later successor, not the 1668 building.
2026 Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
admin2026-06-15T11:34:42-04:00Elizabeth Today & The Road to 250 (2000–Present)|
Elizabeth’s 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony honored athletes, teams, scholarship recipients, and a proud tradition of local excellence.
Welcome Station Opens in Elizabeth NJ
admin2026-06-03T12:26:54-04:00Elizabeth Today & The Road to 250 (2000–Present)|
Elizabeth celebrates the Welcome Station grand opening with speeches, music, community leaders, and Tour Ambassadors.
You’ve explored Elizabeth’s hitory. Now explore Elizabeth
Self-Guided Experience
Boxwood Hall in Elizabeth, NJ
Boxwood Hall invites visitors into a pivotal moment in American history — the place where George Washington stopped on his way to the presidency.
⏱️:
15-25 MinutesSelf-Guided Experience
313+ Ancestors Speak Monument
Honor the lives behind Elizabeth’s early story at the 313+ Ancestors Speak Monument — a tribute to those whose contributions shaped the city and the nation.
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5-25 minutesSelf-Guided Experience
Minuteman Statue – Elizabeth, NJ
Revolutionary pride cast in stone. Meet Elizabeth’s Minuteman — a symbol of liberty in the Historic Midtown District.
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10-15 minutes
Featured Gallery Moments
Explore the story of Elizabeth’s 250th through recent events and community snapshots.
Annual Midtown Car Show – September 2025
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.
