Sussex County History Today: What’s coming up

This seems like a good time to go over a busy schedule of historical events that will be occurring in our county.

What follows are some that are from the top of my head - I may miss much - but this is representative of what is happening.

Paul Revere’s ride: This was on April 18, and we covered the significance of it in a recent column.

But I want to emphasize that this is a mark on the timeline of history when the colonies started their enterprise in earnest. It culminated a year or so later with the Declaration of Independence.

Pathways of the Revolution: With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence coming up on July 4, 2026, we will be honoring and celebrating those national ancestors in this column.

That is about 14 months away, but many people want to celebrate our contributions to the cause of liberty here in our area of northwestern New Jersey and lower New York state.

I refer to our area as “Pathways” because of Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army passing through here on journeys between Newburgh, Easton, Morristown and such.

Sussex County Historical Markers: Attention all, hear ye, hear ye! We will be accepting applications for the markers this year.

They are due June 30.

Selections will be made by the Historian’s Committee, and awardees will be honored at the New Jersey State Fair in August.

Thank you to the Sussex County Commissioners for your support.

Websites: Go online to the county historian page (under development) at sussex.nj.us/cn/webpage.cfm?tpid=17045 or finished at hardystonhistorical.com for information about Rev250, Young Historians and more.

Proclamation for Rev250: We have the state template or make your own. Towns may send me their proclamations to be posted on the website.

Up already are ones from Sussex, Sparta, Franklin, Ogdensburg and Hardyston.

Celebrations: You are welcome to provide information on event you are organizing.

In 1976, there were parades, school events and town celebrations.

I am sure we will have many this “golden jubilee time.”

And all are invited to join our committees for the Revolutionary War 250.

Patriots: In conjunction with the Daughters of the American Revolution, we will be honoring the patriots and leaders of liberty on a marker to be placed at about 20 county cemeteries where ancient ancestors are buried.

The first one produced is for Frankford Plains.

Thank you, Sussex County Commissioners, for your support on this effort.

Memorial Day: The holiday is Monday, May 26. For the next two weeks, this column will describe the Gold Star battle death of Roy Sisco’s ancestor, who was a drummer boy in the Revolution.

It also will chronicle three soldiers from Franklin, two of whom died in the Bataan Death March in World War II.

Our precious freedom costs some of us dearly.

Flag Day: On June 14, the Hardyston Historical Society will have a flag raising at a new pole being installed at the 1820 Monroe one-room schoolhouse.

I recently bought a new flag to keep Stars and Stripes proudly flying on my local street pole.

July 4: A day of civic appreciation with parades and picnics.

Enjoy springtime, the beginning of May, the colorful flowers and the sweet smell of lilacs!

Bill Truran, Sussex County’s historian, may be contacted at billt1425@gmail.com