History Day

Learn about the history in your backyard from local, state, and national historical organizations. Visit Revolutionary War and Civil War camps, see historical weapons demonstrations, and meet Generals George Washington, Rochambeau, Anthony Wayne, and Colonel Stephen Moylan.

Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy live music with a special performance by the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band. This event features wheelchair-accessible wagon rides, crafts, skilled artisans, and more. From the 18th century to the 20th century, there is something for everyone at History Day.

Food vendors include: 5star food shuttle, BEASTRO (serving savory BBQ), Damnpanadas (signature empanadas), and Flirty Desserts (serving sweet treats).

RUN OF SHOW: Historical Weapons Demonstrations – Witness historical musket fire demonstrations. History Tents and Garden Tents – A collection of visiting groups with information about the local history they work in. Expect kids’ crafts and paper crafts for all ages.

Hurdy-Gurdy and Dancers on a String – Robert Mouland will be playing popular music of the 18th century on period instruments (replicas of baroque violin, baroque flute, flageolet, and hurdy-gurdy). As an added treat, he will be accompanied by small marionettes dancing on a board that is a tradition going back to at least the 17th century!

Forbes Road Frolic – Colonial-era tavern musicians, performing instrumental and vocal music that has been documented to the 18th century or earlier. Their goal is to give listeners a taste of the everyday secular music of the 18th century.

Anne & Ridley Enslow – Songs of Spring. For History Day, they will perform songs of spring. In the American colonies, as in Europe at the time, there were many traditions associated with the first of May and the coming of spring—from traditional Maying songs to dances around the Maypole. For the Dutch settlers, it was Pinkster, celebrated in a weeklong festival throughout the Hudson Valley and wherever the Dutch settled.

Libby Prison Band – Their music will cover the period from the Revolutionary War to early America. As always, the music is presented from a historical perspective, helping the listener understand its context and meaning.

Founder & Volunteer Recognition Ceremony and Middlesex College Student Recognition – Final Presentation and small ceremony for students who attended the Middlesex College History class at EJOT.

Wandering Interpreting Historical Soldiers – Speak with interpreters to understand what it was like in 18th-century medicine, farm life, the military, stone carving, and more!

The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band – a 70+ member group of amateur and professional musicians from the northern and central New Jersey area – will be performing at the East Jersey Old Town History Day celebration on May 16th. The concert will feature a diverse selection of American music, including Broadway show medleys, modern and historical popular songs, marches, and, of course, patriotic music.  Highlights will include music from “Wicked” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Taylor Swift on Tour,” “Kentucky 1800,” and an “Armed Forces Salute.” For more information about the band, including upcoming concert dates, please visit www.rvsb.org.

Children’s craft by Kate Eggleston (ongoing throughout the day) – Craft with goose quill pens (feather pen). Experience what it was like to share correspondence between soldiers and loved ones by writing messages using these historic and elegant pens.  Kate will provide folded note cards from cardstock and envelopes for children to seal their messages and take home.

Cornelius Low House Museum Tour -Join us for a special tour of our newest exhibit, Caught in the Crossfire: Divided Loyalties in Middlesex County, in honor of America’s 250th birthday with Dr. Maxine N. Lurie! Dr. Lurie is a key member of our 250th Advisory Committee, Professor Emeritus at Seton Hall University, and author of Taking Sides in Revolutionary New Jersey (2022). *Tours are offered at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm—Artillery 

Talks: New Jersey’s Role in the American Revolution through the use of Field Artillery. New Jersey is the pivotal crossroads of the American Revolution and the road to independence through the strategic use of the Field Artillery and what has become the start of the United States Army Field Artillery. From 1778 to June of 1779, in the heart of New Jersey, was the first military school of the Artillery, which became known as the Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment. This was America’s first military school, which was established before West Point. Learn about the role of the cannon and its history of use in New Jersey, as well as a full step-by-step drill, giving the public a much closer, safer look at the cannon and field artillery of the American Revolution in New Jersey. *Talks are offered at 12 & 2 pm.

Catch a free shuttle ride to the museum from East Jersey Old Town Village for this can-not-miss unique tour from NJ’s leading Revolutionary history buff! Middlesex County’s Shuttle service, RIDE, will provide free transportation to the Cornelius Low House and the Metlar-Bodine House, with tours on the hour from 11 am to 3 pm.

2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The turmoil of the war happened right here, on the doorstep of those living in Middlesex County. What unfolded was an account of politics, divided loyalties, battles, destruction, and ultimately, rebuilding. This led to the founding of a new nation on July 4, 1776, with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, shaping the communities we enjoy today. In honor of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, Middlesex County is proud to celebrate this milestone as one community, embracing our rich history, taking pride in our fight for independence, and continuing our legacy of welcoming new cultures and traditions worldwide. Visit middlesexcountynj.gov/250 for detailed information and events in honor of this significant period.