Monmouth County Declares Its Own America 250 Project

FREEHOLD, NJ — In a state known as "The Crossroads of the Revolution," and in a county with historic links to Revolutionary War history, and before the Hall of Records that was the site of Monmouth Courthouse - the other name of the Battle of Monmouth, the county launched its celebration of the 250th anniversary of America.

The patriotic event Wednesday saw lots of red, white and blue and gave lots of hints how Monmouth County might just be one of the best places in the country to prepare for the nation's semiquincentennial coming up in 2026.

Monmouth County officials launched the “America 250 Monmouth NJ” Committee outside the Hall of Records in Freehold Borough, along with residents, visitors, and local officials in attendance. And it also launched a Facebook page with all the events and photos that will be part of the initiative.

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon and Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone are serving as chair and co-chair of the committee.

And it promises to generate awareness and coordinate activities leading up to America’s 250th anniversary, officials said.

“America’s 250th Anniversary is coming in 2026 – and Monmouth County will be ready!” said Arnone. “New Jersey is known as the Crossroads of the American Revolution, and Monmouth County has a rich history that’s instrumental to the independence and prosperity our nation enjoys today.”

This years-long initiative will not only celebrate America’s historic milestone, but also the significant role that Monmouth County played in the fight for independence and its rich history over the past 250 years.

The location for the announcement was fitting: The historic Hall of Records building was the courthouse during the Battle of Monmouth. It served as a temporary hospital for injured troops while the encounter was waged a few miles away.

June 28 was the 245th anniversary of the 1778 Battle of Monmouth, and it took place in - and is re-enacted every year - in what is now Manalapan at Battlefield State Park.

The event hosted many guests, including the RockNRoll Chorus, comprised of students from Howell High School, who sang the National Anthem, “God Bless America," and the “Monmouth County Song. Julia Sienna sang “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Revolutionary War re-enactors from the Ogden’s 1st New Jersey Regiment were in attendance, as was Sly the horse and his rider Olivia Geniton of Foreluck Farm in Atlantic Highlands.

Horse and rider had the honor of delivering the Declaration of Independence to officials at the event. (Another horse from the farm, Lady, was supposed to be at the event, but Sly gallantly stood in her for her when she was unable to attend.)

The launch also featured a reading of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence by Arnone, Commissioner Ross F. Licitra, Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, Surrogate Maureen T. Raisch, and Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and Monmouth County Officials led the audience of more than 100 people in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

“2026 may seem like a long way off, but we are excited to embark on the journey toward this momentous event,” said Committee Chair Hanlon. “Over the coming years, we will work to coordinate with our national, state, and local governments, as well as our historical organizations and businesses, our cultural and creative industry partners, and all who wish to participate.”

For more photos from the event, you can view the photo album on the America 250
Monmouth NJ Committee’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MonmouthNJ250.

A full video of the launch event can be seen on the Monmouth County Government’s
Facebook and YouTube Channel. And for news and updates from the America250 Monmouth NJ Committee and to sign up for its e-newsletter, visit MonmouthNJ250.org or follow @MonmouthNJ250 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.