By: Richard L. Smith
Residents of all ages are invited to take part in a day of history and community as the Summit prepares to host its Revolutionary Trail Day on April 18.
According to a statement released by city officials, the family-friendly event will take place at multiple locations throughout Summit, offering a variety of interactive and educational activities highlighting New Jersey’s role in the Revolutionary War.
The event will feature reenactments, student-led reader’s theater performances, musical presentations, lectures, and hands-on crafts.
Activities will be held at the Village Green, Twin Maples, and the Summit Free Public Library.
Festivities on the Village Green will begin at 11 a.m. with a fife and drums performance, followed by presentations on Revolutionary War spies, a student theater showcase, and a historical reading on Summit’s role during the war.
Additional performances and presentations will continue through the early afternoon.
Visitors can also participate in a variety of activity stations, including colonial-themed arts and crafts, traditional games, and interactive exhibits featuring reenactors and historical demonstrations.
Mayor Elizabeth Fagan encouraged residents to attend, noting the event offers an engaging way to explore the area’s historical significance while celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The day will also include educational discussions at two locations. A morning lecture at Twin Maples, located at 214 Springfield Avenue, will focus on women’s roles during the American Revolution.
The session will be led by historian Joel Farkus and is open to the public.
Later in the afternoon, the Summit Free Public Library will host a presentation in partnership with the Summit Historical Society titled “Washington Slept Here – A Lot.” Historian Pat Wells will lead a discussion exploring historical sites connected to George Washington, along with broader themes of preservation and memory. Advance registration is required for that session.
All events are free and open to the public, with organizers encouraging residents to participate in the full day of programming across the city.