History on the Green
Somerset County Courthouse Green, Somerville, NJ
Lauren Muney of Silhouettes By Hand will be cutting silhouettes for visitors as time allows, 10-4:00pm with short breaks. First-come, first attended.
Event description:
Saturday, July 20th, 2024 10:00AM-4:00PM
Step back into the past and visit Revolutionary-era New Jersey at Somerset County's free living history event for the whole family - History on the Green!
Explore a pop-up encampment & visit with Revolutionary War soldiers!
Meet General George Washington and his valet, William "Billy" Lee, on horseback!
Watch early-American artisans in action!
Experience cannon and musket firing demonstrations!
Play colonial toys & games!
And SO MUCH MORE
LOCATION:
The Courthouse Green on Main Street (between N. Bridge St. & Grove St.) Somerville, NJ 08876
ACTIVITIES, PERFORMANCES & DEMONSTRATIONS
New Jersey Militia - Heard's Brigade
Experience everyday life in an encampment during the American Revolution! It wasn’t all battlefields and fighting- see how the NJ Militia would have spent their time cooking, cleaning, playing games, and more.
1st Rhode Island Regiment
See Revolutionary War soldiers in action! The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was famous for being the 1st American military unit to consist of mainly non-white soldiers. The majority of soldiers were enslaved Black or Native American men serving to win their freedom.
NJ Fifes & Drums Performance
Enjoy the NJ Fifes & Drums live performances of late 18th-century music that would have been performed by a military corps of music during the Revolutionary War. This local group will be dressed in field musician uniforms of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment
Hand-Cut Colonial Silhouettes
Watch in awe and excitement as professional artist Lauren Muney creates a hand-cut, colonial style portrait of you to take home. You have the easy part - sit and enjoy the experience!
Basketweaving of Colonial America
Watch the talented artisan, Mary May, demonstrate colonial-era basketweaving techniques and traditions! Learn how basketweaving was an integral domestic activity in early America.
Colonial Toys & Games with Liberty Hall Museum
Experience the toys and games of the past with Liberty Hall Museum! Try your hand at cup-and-ball, race with a hoop-and-stick, and make your very own clay marbles to take home!
18th Century Reading & Writing
Make iron gall ink & write with a quill with Stationer Benjamin Bartgis! Then admire a collection of original & reproduction items related to colonial reading & writing.
18th Century Ice Cream Making
In this hands-on demonstration, join Heart to Hearth Cookery as they reproduce documented 18th-century ice cream flavors using original recipes!
Join a Parade with George Washington!
10:00AM - General George Washington and accompanying historical reenactors will assemble for a lecture at the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage at 71 Somerset St. in Somerville.
12:00PM - Reenactors will ride on horseback down Main St. to the Somerset County Courthouse Green in a mid-day parade!
Join the crowd, march along, and be a part of General George Washington's army!
Collect Trading Cards!
Keep your eye out for the 2nd edition of History on the Green Trading Cards! Each card features a notable person, place, event, or theme from Somerset County's rich history and deals out unique facts and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Made possible with funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the New Jersey Historical Commission.