Explore New Jersey Sites with History Pinned This Summer

RevolutionNJ, the State’s official 250th partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution, is encouraging New Jerseyans to explore the state, discover the past, and find civic inspiration this summer with History Pinned.

From June 20 through October 31, five featured museums will hand out unique pins designed by local artists. Participants who collect all five pins by October 31, 2025, will win a RevolutionNJ foldable flying disc. The museums were chosen based on their connections to political history and civic engagement. The 2025 History Pinned sites are: Cape May MAC, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morven Museum and Garden,Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, and Tuckerton Seaport and Baymen’s Museum.

RevolutionNJ’s History Pinned program was developed for the fifth annual Civic Season led by Made By Us, which is a national coalition of history organizations seeking to connect America’s rising generation with their past. Civic Season unites America’s newest holiday, Juneteenth, with its oldest holiday, July 4th, and is co-designed with Gen Z students, activists, thought leaders, and historians.

Though not required to earn the prize, History Pinned will digitally connect each site with a suggested “civic inspiration” for those interested in participating in this year’s Civic Season. Cape May MAC’s civic inspiration is writing a letter of gratitude to a first responder or veteran. Tuckerton Seaport’s civic inspiration is attending a beach cleanup. Morven Museum and Garden’s civic inspiration is signing a petition. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum’s civic inspiration is reading a local newspaper, and the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts’ civic inspiration is attending a board meeting at a local library.

“History pinned is a great way to learn more about our shared past and discover new modes of democratic participation,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way who oversees the New Jersey Historical Commission in her role as Secretary of State. “By exploring these historic sites, I hope participants are inspired to further engage in civic life and delve deeper into our state’s history.”

“Often cultural programming is designed for young families and seniors but can overlook the interests of young adults,” said Sara Cureton, executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission. “In partnership with Made By Us, we sought to create a program that focused on the rising generation by providing them with a fun way to explore New Jersey’s wonderful historic sites.”

“Participants can take a road trip with friends, listen to the History Pinned playlist, collect buttons from local artists, or hold a photo shoot in these beautiful locations, in addition to uncovering the histories that make us who we are today,” said Carrie Fellows, Executive Director of Crossroads of the American Revolution. “Once they’ve completed the History Pinned challenge, they’ll receive a special-edition RevolutionNJ flying disc to bring with them to their next festival, concert, or day in the park.”

To get started with History Pinned, visit https://revnj.org/history-pinned.