RevolutionNJ to Bring “Tavern Talks” Program to Breweries Statewide

The immersive public history series provides community conversation as part of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States

TRENTON, NJ - RevolutionNJ will host their Tavern Talks program throughout 2026, continuing a statewide series that has been bringing history into informal, community-centered spaces.

RevolutionNJ is the official partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.

Inspired by the taverns of the pre- and post-independence eras, each of the Tavern Talks events explore one of these two defining questions, "Whose side are you on?" or "What kind of government do you want?"

Unlike a traditional lecture, this event series is designed as interactive, immersive experiences that encourage dialogue, reflection, and active participation.

Attendees are invited to imagine themselves in a colonial tavern at a moment when independence was not yet guaranteed. Surrounded by neighbors, friends, and family members with competing viewpoints, participants will engage with historical reenactors portraying loyalists, patriots, and pacifists. Through guided discussion and firsthand accounts from the past, attendees will explore the motivations, fears, and ideals that shaped decision-making before independence-and reflect on how those tensions still resonate today.

"History doesn't live only in textbooks or museums; it lives in conversation," said Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell, who oversees NJHC and RevolutionNJ as Secretary of State. "Events like Tavern Talks create space for people to engage with our shared past in ways that are accessible, honest, and rooted in community. That's essential as we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation and think about what history means in our lives today."

"The Tavern Talks program is about meeting people where they are," said Sara Cureton, Executive Director of the New Jersey Historical Commission. "By bringing history into informal, welcoming spaces like a local brewery, we create opportunities for learning, reflection, and conversation that feel personal, relevant, and shared."

As a partner in RevolutionNJ, Crossroads of the American Revolution works to connect people to the places and stories that shaped the nation's founding.

"New Jersey's revolutionary history unfolded in everyday places like taverns, churches, and markets," said Carrie Fellows, Executive Director of Crossroads of the American Revolution. "The Tavern Talks program returns that history to community spaces, where people can connect the past to the present through conversation."

No prior historical knowledge is required to attend. Participants who wish to prepare in advance may explore an optional guide booklet available through RevolutionNJ.

The Tavern Talks event are free and open to the public, below are the dates and locations of each event this year:
April 19 at Departed Soles from 1:30 - 3:30 PM in Jersey City
May 10 at Cape May Brewing, 12:00 - 2:00 PM in Lower Township
June 14th, Montclair Brewery, 1:00 - 3:00 PM in Montclair

To learn more about RevolutionNJ and register for the event, visit https://www.revnj.org/events.

About RevolutionNJ Created through state legislation in 2018, RevolutionNJ is a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association to plan the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in New Jersey. For more information on RevolutionNJ, visit https://www.revnj.org/.

About RevolutionNJ Created through state legislation in 2018, RevolutionNJ is a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association. RevolutionNJ is leading New Jersey's efforts to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary, engaging communities across the state in exploring the history, legacy, and ongoing meaning of the American Revolution.