For history enthusiasts, New Jersey, often dubbed “the Crossroads of the American Revolution”, is a region which provides profound insights and unparalleled accounts of the Revolutionary War. But while much of our focus on the war is centered on battles and bunkers, social and civic establishments like taverns were the true backbone of where the revolution began. Colonial taverns, which served as safe havens for both Patriots and Loyalists, played a pivotal role in establishing the social framework of the time. Far beyond just a neighborhood place to have a pint, these taverns served as “seedbeds” for the Revolution, providing guests with a catalyst for political discussions, a beacon for weary travelers, and venues for entertainment, socialization, and merriment for our Colonial counterparts.

Join the New Jersey State Library as author Michael C. Gabriele illuminates the lives of lesser-known colonial and Revolutionary War luminaries, including Elizabeth Haddon, Jacob Hyer, Christopher Ludwick, Cyrus Bustell, Timothy Matlack, John Dickinson, Ann Risley, John Neilson, John Woolman, and Henry Lyon. The afternoon’s discussion will also highlight the vital role that taverns played in facilitating and strengthening a colony in transition to its eventual and inevitable statehood.

A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Michael C. Gabriele holds a degree in journalism from Montclair State University. With over four decades of experience as a journalist, freelance writer, and author, Gabriele has dedicated much of that time to preserving and sharing the state’s rich history. As a board member of the New Jersey Folk Festival at Rutgers University, an executive board member of the Allied Artists of America, New York, the Nutley Historical Society, the Theater League of Clifton, and an advisory board member of the Clifton Arts Center, Gabriele is committed to promoting and celebrating all that makes the Garden State a revolutionary place to call home.

For more information about this and other upcoming events at the New Jersey State Library, please visit their website, linked here: NJSL – Home. To learn more about upcoming webinars and other opportunities, please visit the NJSL’s Events Calendar, linked here: Events – NJSL. You can also follow along with the New Jersey State Library on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have any questions or need assistance with the enrollment process, contact NJSL staff at (609) 278-2640 for further help and guidance. The colonial tavern is a crucial piece of New Jersey’s ascendance from colony to state, so raise a pint to this important part of NJ history and enroll for this engaging conversation today.

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