My post about horses got me into New Jersey-- sort of.

If you cannot visit New Jersey between now and the 250th anniversary of the 1783 Treaty of Paris- that's ok. You can learn about Revolutionary New Jersey by downloading an app!

In 2025 I met Mike. He reached out to me through this blog because he found my post on horses of the Revolution. His angle: connection for the state he loves and is working with on all things 250. That state is New Jersey and their tag is "RevolutionNJ."

After our conversation - and figuring out a way to support his efforts in bringing training to some passionate people wanting to know more about working with horses of the 18th century, he shared an app with me. But there's more, so much more.

Note: the cover photo image for this blog post was provided my Mike, courtesy of RevolutionNJ, depicting a re-enactment of Washington at Princeton Battlefield, the same event as the photo below.

General Washington on horseback, courtesy of RevolutionNJ

Disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

Introduction: a little bit about historic New Jersey!

William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin, was the last Royal Governor of New Jersey. He was held prisoner by the Americans before being released as part of an exchange with the British- then off to England, estranged with his famous father.

One of the most active battleground states, New Jersey was the site of many you've likely heard about: Morristown, Monmouth, Trenton, and Princeton.

There's no doubt about the state's military significance during the Revolutionary War. It's also home to hundreds of registered historic sites telling the stories of the people who lived and labored in them, as well as giving insight into:

• architecture
• economics, and of course...
• the culture of those who chose to make New Jersey their home

The people... did you know that James Madison, a Virginian and our 4th President, attended school there? Both he and Philip Vickers Fithian, mentioned in Ken Burns' epic American Revolution documentary because he was prolific in his writings, studied at the College of New Jersey under the Reverend John Witherspoon.

Book cover, from my personal reading!

Fithian's book is a resource for so many of us interested in understanding the culture of Revolutionary-era America. Now Princeton, the College of New Jersey was started in 1746 and is the 4th oldest in our nation.

Speaking of architecture, the 1792 New Jersey State House is the 2nd oldest Capitol Building in use. Have you visited? I haven't but hope to get there! When I used to travel for work (or with my significant other for not-work) we'd always check out the Capitol Building if it was near enough.

Needless to say, New Jersey has much to offer history-lovers wanting a peek into the 18th century and formation of our United States and you can learn more on the state's website by clicking here.

RELATED: My post on Philip Vickers Fithian's writing.

Side note on culture and settlers: Hoboken, New Jersey, settled by numerous Italians emigrating to the United States in the early 20th century, was the birthplace of Frank Sinatra (one of my all-time favorites...). Notable even though had a turbulent relationship with the people of the city. But that's a blog post for another day. I digress.

RELATED: Click here to read more about the early years of New Jersey in my 'crash course' post about the 13 colonies.

RevolutionNJ's magnificent app.

Officially titled "The Liberty Trail N.J.," this app allows you to experience, understand, and learn about everything New Jersey related to our fight for American Independence.

Let's break it down.

The home page highlights a featured tour. From the bottom of your screen you can head directly to tours, biographies, your profile, or an informational "about" page sharing all the partners who collaborated on bringing this project to life.

Each tour includes written text and an audio file. You may also be provided maps, directions, and related content.

The biographies tab include those from New Jersey as well as not. What they do have in common: at some point of Revolutionary-era importance, they had an impact in New Jersey.

And one bit of the app I love: the fact that you can learn about historic sites as well as the events that happened nearby and the people who walked through the doors.

The creators made it incredibly functional for us history-lovers. From the top right corner you can "heart" your favorites as well as use the sharing icon to share the link, download information, and so on.

Screenshot of 'about' page.

The Revolution and 250th celebrations continue.

New Jersey, as Mike shared with me, wasn't going to do a one-and-done for 2026.

We all know the events leading up to 1776 started long before, and the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the Revolutionary War, wasn't signed until 1783. And then government had to be formed; 13 new states had to navigate a union.

RevolutionNJ honors the full expanse of these events.

Click here for the detailed timeline of RevolutionNJ's multi-year commemoration of America's 250th. It includes the Fort Lee event in the graphic as well as (per Mike) the marking of December's 250th of the crossing/Trenton/Princeton!

It has a special link- click here for the details on what Mike is justly terming an "extravaganza!"

By the way, the whole website is FANTASTIC. Bookmark this page to stay current with on 'signature events' in case you are able to attend!

Courtesy RevolutionNJ

CTAs- dig around and of course, visit us in WB

Don't limit yourself! Use the app but also visit these fascinating places in real time. If you live in or can get to New Jersey, do it! And let me know the best bits of history you discover.

• Find what's happening in your state and all the states you visit. (If Virginia is one of them, let me know!) Click here.
• Click here to download the Liberty Trail N.J. app (where you can also use your laptop to dig around!)
• Follow RevolutionNJ on their socials using the tag: @RevolutionNJ
• Click here to download the ExploreHere app which lets you find historic markers along the journey (and visit some of the hundreds of registered historic sites)!

View of app icon on my iPhone.

Closing words from history.

As Washington was hours away from a new year, leaving 1776 and Pennsylvania behind, he issued the following proclamation from his new headquarters in what we spell as 'Trenton.' His words were both a call to action and an assurance, from a man working to rally support in advance of bloodshed on New Jersey soil.

To read this transcription from the source, Founders Archives, click here.

Proclamation to the Friends of America in the State of New Jersey, 31 December 1776

Proclamation to the Friends of America in the State of New Jersey

Trentown 31 Decr 1776

The Army of the American States, under my Command being lately greatly reinforced, and having again Enter’d the State of New Jersey, I most warmly request the Militia of Said State at this Important Crisis to Evince their love to their Country, by boldly stepping forth and defending the Cause of Freedom, The Inhabitants may be Assured that by a Manly & Spirited Conduct they may now releive their Distressed State from the Depredations of our Enemies—I have therefore dispatched Coll Neilson Majors Taylor, Van Emburgh & Frelinghuysen,1 together with Some other Gentlemen of your State to call together and Embody your Militia, not doubting but Success will attend their Endeavours.

Go: Washington

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not an academically trained historian. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it through my diligent research. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.