Sparta RevolutionNJ 250 Celebration

About RevolutionNJ 250 

In 2026, New Jersey, like much of the U.S., will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution through events, programs, and ceremonies.  Sparta’s RevolutionNJ committee is charged with planning and promoting our township’s commemoration. 

RevolutionNJ is working to create exciting experiences where people can engage with history, see themselves in the American story, and learn how the events, ideas, and ideals of the Revolution continue to be relevant to us today. 

Activities Planned 

We are still very much in the planning stage for 2026.  Look for the following activities as we help celebrate our nation’s and our township’s history and experiences: 

• HISTORY 

  Many Sparta residents have family stories about the Revolutionay War and colonial period, passed on from one generation to the next.  We would like to hear them?  See more on that below.  This area has a rich Lenni Lenape presence that we will recognize.  We will also explore Sparta’s role as a center of Loyalist activity. 

• HISTORICAL STRUCTURES

  We have already started recognizing several historical buildings in town and will continue to do so in the years ahead. 

• THE ARTS

  We hope to incorporate the arts into our celebrations, including displays and video production. 

• REVOLUTIONARY WAR VETERANS

  We plan to recognize Sparta’s veterans from the American Revolutionary War. 

• EDUCATION

  We plan to involve clubs from our school district. 

• TAVERN TALK

  Tavern Talks is an interactive event that takes you back in time, featuring history that happened on your doorstep. Reenactors immerse participants in the past using questions and prompts to help you explore not only the past, but also issues you and your community face today. 

• ACTIVITIES

  We have plans to help make our Independence Day parade something special in 2026.  We also hope to bring in reenactors at some point.  There are plans to include some of  Sparta’s recreational sports clubs to join the celebration by showcasing colonial period games. 

• FOOD

  We want to involve Sparta’s restaurants in the event through special menu items and other events and activities. 

• OUR SISTER CITY IN GREECE

  In 1969 the council proclaimed that our municipality and Sparta on the Peloponnesian peninsula in Greece are sister cities.  We have been working with the governing council in Greece to recognize our cultural affinity. 

Sparta Family History 

Can you trace your family history back to the American Revolution?  Does your family have stories from that time?  If so, we would like to hear them!  If you have stories passed on from past generations that you would like to share, please contact us at revolutionnj@spartanj.org. 

 Committee Members 

• Mayor Neill Clark 
• Councilman Dan Chiariello 
• Andrew Buchanan (Sparta Schools representative)  
• Elise Cisko (Sparta Schools representative)  
• Pete Litchfield (VFW representative)  
• MaryAnne Francisco (Sparta Historical Society representative)  
• Lynn Leitner  
• Paula Manning 
• Stuart Schwartz  
• Ben Theis