WHIPPANY, N.J. (Morris County) — The Morris County Heritage Commission is hosting the RevolutionNJ traveling exhibit “Revolutionary Lives: Living the American Experiment Then and Now” from Jan. 9 through Jan. 23 at the Morris County Library, highlighting New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution through the experiences of everyday people.
The exhibit focuses on lesser-known stories of New Jersey residents whose lives, labor and personal choices shaped the Revolutionary era and continue to resonate as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is on display in the atrium gallery of the Morris County Library, 30 E. Hanover Ave., Whippany.
Library hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are honored that RevolutionNJ selected Morris County as a host location for this traveling exhibit. Morris County’s residents were among the men and women who housed, supported and fought alongside Washington’s army. This exhibit provides a meaningful way to recognize the unknown heroes who sacrificed so much during the decade of the war,” said Commissioner Christine Myers, a member of the Morris County 250th Anniversary Celebrations Committee.
During the Revolutionary War, New Jersey reflected a wide range of languages, religions and cultural backgrounds, with residents divided among supporters of independence, loyalists and those seeking neutrality. These divisions often led to bitter conflict, making New Jersey one of the states most heavily impacted by the war. By its conclusion, the state had experienced more battles, damage and violent clashes than any other.
The “Revolutionary Lives” exhibit explores that turbulent period through personal stories of ordinary people living through extraordinary circumstances, encouraging visitors to consider how those experiences continue to shape civic life and the ongoing pursuit of Revolutionary ideals.
“The Morris County Heritage Commission is excited to be hosting RevolutionNJ’s traveling exhibit at the Morris County Library. To focus on ordinary people, their diversity, and their different points of view is a wonderful approach. It will help all of us understand and imagine what it was like living in New Jersey during the Revolution,” said Martha Wells, chair of the Heritage Commission.
The exhibit is provided free of charge through RevolutionNJ, the state’s official initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Established through legislation in 2018, RevolutionNJ is a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association Inc.
More information about RevolutionNJ is available at revnj.org. Details on Morris County’s semiquincentennial events can be found at morriscounty250.org
