Up the road from where the Toms River Blockhouse Fight lead to the capture of Captain Joshua Huddy during the American Revolution in 1782, Ocean County officials recently gathered with members of the community on the grounds of the historic Ocean County Courthouse to kick off the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

“Ocean County joins a national movement to commemorate this important milestone in our history as we approach many 250th anniversaries including the American Revolution and the birth of our nation in 2026,” said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, Chairwoman to the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “Ocean County is so very proud of its heritage and history and while Ocean County may not have been an independent county 250 years ago we still played a role in the Revolutionary War.”

Guest speakers at the Nov. 10 event included Lynda Nolan, Regent of Joshua Huddy National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and Charlie Morgan, President of the New Jersey Society of Sons of the American Revolution (NJSSAR) who spoke about the dedication the organizations have to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children.

In addition, Ocean County Historian Timothy Hart and Ocean County Historical Society President Jeff Shanker both explained the historical significance that Ocean County had during the early years of America breaking away from Great Britain.

Also, the New Jersey Fifes and Drums provided period music dressed in costumes representing the time period, students from Toms River High School South provided historical readings, and members of the First New Jersey Loyalists and the NJSSAR were in attendance.

“Ocean County (then part of Monmouth and Burlington counties) played a crucial role during the War,” said Michael T. Mangum, Director of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War, the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the writing of the Constitution, we are joining the State and Federal Governments in moving forward with events recognizing these milestones.”

Over the next handful of years, Ocean County will be highlighting Revolutionary War events that took place in the County. For example, the Pulaski Massacre in Little Egg Harbor, where the privateers that operated out of Ocean County helped turn the war in favor of the patriot cause will be acknowledged.

Additionally, Ocean County is also home to the Cedar Bridge Tavern, located in Barnegat Township, which is considered to be the location of the last skirmish of the American Revolution. A reenactment of the event is hosted at the end of every year.

“Our history isn’t perfect, but it is filled with important life lessons and it is what we do with that knowledge and awareness that makes our history vital and of great consequence and that is what brings us here today,” Haines said.

More information on the 250th anniversary events will be available on the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation’s website https://oceancountyparks.org/ and Facebook page @OceanCountyParks, and Ocean County’s Cultural and Heritage Commission’s website www.co.ocean.nj.us/OC/ch.

In addition, information on the countdown to America’s 250th Birthday can be found at https://america250.org/ and information on New Jersey’s celebration of the American Revolution can be found at https://revolutionarynj.org/250th-updates/.

“I extend my appreciation to Commissioner Haines, the Ocean County Parks Department and Ocean County’s Cultural and Heritage Commission for their continued efforts in commemorating our County’s history,” said the Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn. “Ocean County has a lot of rich history and we are pleased to share it with our residents through these planned events.”

CAPTIONS

Photo #1 – The New Jersey Sons of the American Revolution State Color Guard enter the tent during Ocean County’s kickoff of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution to Post the Colors prior to the Pledge of Allegiance. The event was attended by Ocean County officials, students, historians and members of the community.

Cover photo – As banners decorate the historical 1850 Ocean County Courthouse in downtown Toms River, Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, Chairwoman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation, Lynda Nolan, Regent of the Joshua Huddy Daughters of the American Revolution, Jeff Shanker, President of the Ocean County Historical Society, Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella and Michael T. Mangum, Director of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation, joined with members of the New Jersey Sons of the American Revolution State Color Guard, the New Jersey Loyalists and the New Jersey Fifes and Drums for a photo following Ocean County’s kickoff of the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.