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History Day at East Jersey Old Town Village
1050 River Road, Piscataway
May 16, 2026
Event Details
Learn about the history in your backyard from local, state, and national historical organizations. Visit Revolutionary War and Civil War camps, see historical weapons demonstrations, and meet Generals George Washington, Rochambeau, Anthony Wayne, and Colonel Stephen Moylan. Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy live music with a special performance by the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band. This event features wheelchair-accessible wagon rides, crafts, skilled artisans, and more. From the 18th century to the 20th century, there is something for everyone at History Day.
Food vendors include 5star food shuttle, BEASTRO (serving savory BBQ), Damnpanadas (signature empanadas), and Flirty Desserts (serving sweet treats).
RUN OF SHOW: Historical Weapons Demonstrations – Witness historical musket fire demonstrations. Music of the Civil War – Listen to the performance of the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band as they perform historical music with a full orchestra.
History Tents and Garden Tents – A collection of visiting groups with information about the local history they work in. Expect kids’ crafts and paper crafts for all ages.
Hurdy-Gurdy and Dancers on a String – Robert Mouland will be playing popular music of the 18th century on period instruments (replicas of baroque violin, baroque flute, flageolet, and hurdy-gurdy). As an added treat, he will be accompanied by small marionettes dancing on a board that is a tradition going back to at least the 17th century!
Forbes Road Frolic – Colonial-era tavern musicians, performing instrumental and vocal music that has been documented to the 18th century or earlier. Their goal is to give listeners a taste of the everyday secular music of the 18th century.
Anne & Ridley Enslow – Songs of the American Revolution. For History Day, they will perform songs of spring. In the American colonies, as in Europe at the time, there were many traditions associated with the first of May and the coming of spring—from traditional Maying songs to dances around the Maypole. For the Dutch settlers, it was Pinkster, celebrated in a weeklong festival throughout the Hudson Valley and wherever the Dutch settled.
Libby Prison Band – Their music will cover the period from the Revolutionary War to early America. As always, the music is presented from a historical perspective, helping the listener understand its context and meaning.
Founder & Volunteer Recognition Ceremony and Middlesex College Student Recognition – Final Presentation and small ceremony for students who attended the Middlesex College History class at EJOT.
Wandering Interpreting Historical Soldiers – Speak with interpreters to understand what it was like in 18th-century medicine, farm life, the military, stone carving, and more!
The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band – a 70+ member group of amateur and professional musicians from the northern and central New Jersey area – will be performing at the East Jersey Old Town History Day celebration on May 16th. The concert will feature a diverse selection of American music, including Broadway show medleys, modern and historical popular songs, marches, and, of course, patriotic music. Highlights will include music from “Wicked” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Taylor Swift on Tour,” “Kentucky 1800,” and an “Armed Forces Salute.” For more information about the band, including upcoming concert dates, please visit www.rvsb.org.
Cornelius Low House Museum Tour -Join us for a special tour of our newest exhibit, Caught in the Crossfire: Divided Loyalties in Middlesex County, in honor of America’s 250th birthday with Dr. Maxine N. Lurie! Dr. Lurie is a key member of our 250th Advisory Committee, Professor Emeritus at Seton Hall University, and author of Taking Sides in Revolutionary New Jersey (2022). *Tours are offered at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. Catch a free shuttle ride to the museum from East Jersey Old Town Village for this can-not-miss unique tour from NJ’s leading Revolutionary history buff!
Middlesex County’s Shuttle service, RIDE, will provide free transportation to the Cornelius Low House and the Metlar-Bodine House.
