Statewide Gathering Held in Florham Park During the 250th Anniversary
Hundreds of historians, preservation professionals, educators, museum leaders, planners and volunteers from across New Jersey gathered in Morris County last week as the 2026 New Jersey History and Historic Preservation Conference was held at Saint Elizabeth University during the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebration.
Approximately 400 delegates attended each day of the two-day event held June 17-18. Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw welcomed attendees to Morris County, highlighting the significance of hosting New Jersey’s premier annual history and historic preservation conference in a county that played a pivotal role in the American Revolution.
“As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on the people and places that helped forge a new nation. Few places played a greater role in that story than Morris County,” said Director Shaw. “This is where General George Washington headquartered not once, but twice, during some of the most critical moments of the Revolutionary War, and where the Continental Army endured the Hard Winter at Jockey Hollow while the cause of independence hung in the balance.”
Hosted by the Friends of New Jersey Heritage and the New Jersey Historic Trust, the annual conference brings together professionals and volunteers dedicated to preserving, interpreting and sharing New Jersey’s history. The event featured educational sessions, workshops, tours and networking opportunities focused on historic preservation, archaeology, museum management, heritage tourism, public history and related fields.
Director Shaw thanked Glenn Ceponis, executive director of the New Jersey Historic Trust, along with the Friends of New Jersey Heritage, conference organizers and planning committee members for bringing the conference to Morris County during this historic year. He also recognized the New Jersey Historic Trust as a valued partner whose grant programs have helped preserve and steward historic resources throughout Morris County.
Morris County was well represented throughout the conference by the Morris County Park Commission, Office of Planning and Preservation, Heritage Commission and Morris County Tourism Bureau. Morris County Historical Society Executive Director Amy Curry served on the conference planning committee and was among the local leaders helping showcase the county’s longstanding commitment to historic preservation and public history.
The conference also featured a presentation by Emmy Award-winning PBS travel host Darley Newman, who returned to Morris County to discuss heritage tourism and the power of storytelling in connecting people with historic places.
In his remarks, Shaw noted that 136 historic sites have been restored and protected through the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund since 2003, encouraging attendees to explore the many Revolutionary War landmarks, museums and historic districts while participating in the county’s yearlong Semiquincentennial celebrations.
For all things 250 in Morris County, visit MorrisCounty250.com