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

About GoElizabethNJ250
Meet the Committee

About GoElizabethNJ250

GoElizabethNJ250 is a citywide initiative honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States through the lens of Elizabeth, New Jersey—the state’s first capital. Led by a diverse committee of residents, businesses, and organizations, we’re celebrating our past, present, and future through community storytelling, local history, and civic pride.

Meet the Committee

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

Join the Elizabeth,NJ Historical Timeline

Elizabeth, NJ Interactive Timeline

Step into 250 years of Elizabeth’s story—one powerful moment at a time.

First Presybterian Church

Submit Your Story

Your voice is part of Elizabeth’s story—choose a topic or start your own chapter.

Featured Video

Featured Gallery Moments

Explore the story of Elizabeth’s 250th through recent events and community snapshots.

RNJ-AltColors-PROUD PARTNER 20230522-01 (1)

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

Revolutionary War Headquarters in Elizabethtown (1775–1783)
Gallery
Revolutionary War Headquarters in Elizabethtown (1775–1783)

Revolutionary War & Early American Republic (1775–1800)

Revolutionary War Headquarters in Elizabethtown (1775–1783)

admin2025-04-28T12:47:52-04:00Revolutionary War & Early American Republic (1775–1800)|

Elizabethtown’s homes, churches, and taverns became key Revolutionary War headquarters and encampments from 1775 to 1783.

The Dix Building: A Commercial Pillar of Broad Street

admin2025-04-28T10:33:06-04:00Industrial Growth & Immigration (1800–1900)|

Discover the rich history of Elizabeth's Dix Building, once a six-story hub of commerce and education on bustling Broad Street.

Rev. Joseph Garlic: Champion of Elizabethport’s Renewal

admin2025-04-25T12:12:10-04:00Civil Rights & Social Movements (1900–1970s)|

Discover how Rev. Joseph Garlic transformed Elizabethport through street patrols, Brand New Day housing projects and a pivotal 2000 town hall with Gov. Bush.

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

View GoElizabethNJ250 Event Calendar

Explore GoElizabethNJ Event Calendar

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

🎉 Join us in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in Elizabeth, NJ in 2026! #GoElizabethNJ250 🇺🇸

Stan Neron Welcomes the Crowd with Energy & Heart Serving as one of the event hosts, Stan Neron—Director of Recreation for the City of Elizabeth—helped kick off the 4th of July celebration with pride and connection. Click this slide to view the full photo gallery.

Stan Neron Welcomes the Crowd with Energy & Heart

Force Electrifies the Stage with Step Precision The step team Force had the crowd cheering and dancing at the 4th of July Celebration with a performance packed with power, rhythm, and unity. Click this slide to view the full photo gallery.

Force Electrifies the Stage with Step Precision

IlandMagic Wows at 4th of July Celebration Performing live for a packed and patriotic crowd, IlandMagic brought high energy to Elizabeth’s annual Independence Day celebration. Click this slide to view the full photo gallery.

IlandMagic Wows at 4th of July Celebration

New Jersey Militia: Heard’s Brigade

Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce Supports the FIFA Kickoff Local leaders show their pride and partnership as Elizabeth steps onto the global stage for the 2026 World Cup. Click this slide to view the full photo gallery.

Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce Supports the FIFA Kickoff

Champions of Character, Legends of Elizabeth The 2025 inductees into the Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame embody the spirit of leadership, excellence, and community that defines our city’s legacy.

A City That Moves with Purpose

Soundtrack of the City

Soundtrack of the City

Faces of the Game: Elizabeth Welcomes the World

FIFA Kick-Off: Elizabeth on the Global Stage

Meet the GoElizabethNJ250 Mascot

313+ Ancestors Speak Monument

FIFA Kick-Off: Elizabeth on the Global Stage

Where Patriots Rest and History Marches On

Stories that Shape America: Elizabeth, NJ

elizabeth 250th planning committee

About GoElizabethNJ250

Meet the Committee

About GoElizabethNJ250

Meet the Committee

Administrative Sub-Committee

Planning & Logistics Sub-Committee

History & Education Sub-Committee

Volunteer Management Sub-Committee

Evaluation Committee Sub-Committee

Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee

Marketing & Promotions Sub-Committee

Fundraising & Sponsorship Sub-Committee

Emergency Preparedness Sub-Committee

People, Place, or Thing of the day for Elizabeth, NJ

Hannah Caldwell

Elizabethtown

Join the Elizabeth,NJ Historical Timeline

Featured Video

Featured Gallery Moments

From the Timeline

250th Community & Statewide Events

July 23 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

July 26 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am

July 28 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Explore our volunteer opportunities by clicking on a category below. Follow the instructions to REGISTER for the info session.

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

AD-HOC

Stan Neron Welcomes the Crowd with Energy & Heart

Serving as one of the event hosts, Stan Neron—Director of Recreation for the City of Elizabeth—helped kick off the 4th of July celebration with pride and connection.

Click this slide to view the full photo gallery.

Force Electrifies the Stage with Step Precision

The step team Force had the crowd cheering and dancing at the 4th of July Celebration with a performance packed with power, rhythm, and unity.

Click this slide to view the full photo gallery.

IlandMagic Wows at 4th of July Celebration

Performing live for a packed and patriotic crowd, IlandMagic brought high energy to Elizabeth’s annual Independence Day celebration.

Click this slide to view the full photo gallery.

Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce Supports the FIFA Kickoff

Local leaders show their pride and partnership as Elizabeth steps onto the global stage for the 2026 World Cup.

Click this slide to view the full photo gallery.

Champions of Character, Legends of Elizabeth

The 2025 inductees into the Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame embody the spirit of leadership, excellence, and community that defines our city’s legacy.