South Jersey & The 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution
South Jersey holds a vital yet underappreciated place in the story of the American Revolution. Situated along the Delaware River, the region saw a sizable amount of action throughout the war. Towns, farms, and waterways became strategic lifelines between Philadelphia and the mid-Atlantic. Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties all witnessed the realities of war: skirmishes, raids, and divided loyalties that brought the Revolution to local doorsteps.
Key battles and events reveal how South Jersey citizens defended their homes and contributed to the broader struggle for independence. The victory at Red Bank, the raids in Haddonfield and Mount Holly, and the tragic Salem Raid only scratch the surface of what occurred here. Local militias, farmers, and families endured hardship while supplying Washington’s army. The region’s diversity—from patriots to loyalists, Quakers to African Americans—mirrored the conflict’s complexity nationwide.
The 250th anniversary of the Revolution, known as the Semiquincentennial, is more than a commemoration. It is an opportunity for South Jersey to reclaim its place in America’s founding story. Through historic sites, reenactments, and community events, the region can share its legacy with visitors from across the country and beyond. This is projected to boost tourism and economic development throughout the area.
Most importantly, the anniversary allows South Jersey to inspire new generations. It brings the opportunity to tell the stories of courage, sacrifice, and conviction that shaped our independence on this soil. This unique educational milestone connects the region’s past to its present, reminding us why liberty and civic responsibility still matter.
South Jersey’s Revolutionary heritage deserves recognition. The 250th anniversary ensures those voices from 1776 will continue to echo into the future.
Partners and Links
National:
America 250 – https://america250.org/
Daughters of the American Revolution – https://www.dar.org/outreach/america-250
State:
Revolution NJ – https://www.revnj.org/
Crossroads of the American Revolution – https://revolutionarynj.org/sites/
Journey Through New Jersey – https://www.journeythroughjersey.com/
Jersey Journeys (NJ Transit) – https://www.njtransit.com/journeys
Visit NJ – https://visitnj.org/nj250
Revolutionary War New Jersey – https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/
Counties:
Gloucester County Historical Society – https://www.gchsnj.org/
Camden County Historical Society – https://cchsnj.org/
Salem County Historical Society – https://www.salemcountyhistoricalsociety.com/
Burlington County Historical Society – https://burlingtoncountyhistoricalsociety.org/2020Temp/
Cumberland County Historical Society – https://cchistsoc.org/
Atlantic County Historical Society – https://www.atlanticcountyhistoricalsocietynj.org/
Cape May Historical Society – https://www.capemayhistory.org/
