Clinton Township Newsletter

8 d e c e m b e r 2 0 2 5 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M C e l e b r a t e a m e r i C a ' S 2 5 0 t H a n n i v e r S a r y i n H u n t e r d o n C o u n t y ! Hunterdon County's many historical and cultural organizations have just kicked off a 16-month celebration of American Independence and the American Revolution in Hunterdon County. Did you know that many battles and other important events took place in our county during colonial days? Now through December 31, 2026, there will be over 150 lectures, talks, tours, music, movies, and fun! Events include (but not limited to): 1. A celebration parade in Flemington Borough for Flag Day, June 14, 2026! 2. A re-enactment of the reading of the Declaration of Independence, which was first read aloud (outside of Philadelphia) in Hunterdon County on July 8, 1776! 3. A lecture to celebrate Black History Month on a free black man who served in the Hunterdon Militia, crossed the Delaware River with George Washington, and is buried in Flemington! 4. A final talk at the end of 2026 on the Ten Crucial Days of the Revolution! For more information, to receive event updates by mail, or to volunteer at these events, visit: www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/1367/ Hunterdon-300th or email: 300info@co.hunterdon.nj.us. H u n t e r d o n C o u n t y S t u d e n t S . . . l e t ' S g e t C r e a t i v e a b o u t H i S t o r y ! History Challenge offers students a chance to win cash and awards! Submit an original essay, poem, painting, sculpture, needlework, music, dance routine, drama, skit, science project, or other creative idea. In short, almost anything as long as it's about history. The competition is open to all Hunterdon County students in elementary and high school, including homeschoolers. It is sponsored by the Hunterdon County Historical Society and the local chapter of the Sons of the Revolution. The deadline is December 31, don't miss it! The Categories are: $250 for an original essay of 800 to 1,200 words on any aspect of American history, and $250 for an original expression of any sort about American history. For more information and application forms, visit www.HunterdonHistory.org. m a k e H i S t o r y W i t H u S a t t H e 1 7 5 9 v o u g H t H o u S e ! Hey Clinton Township residents, do you want to play a role in establishing a new museum in your community? Want to grow your resume with non-profit work experience? Join us at the 1759 Vought House! As an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit with no paid staff, we're managing an enormous, multi-year restoration project while also fulfilling our educational mission. Our goal is to restore the Vought family homestead, built in 1759, to its original 18th century appearance for use as a museum to tell the dramatic story of the locally prominent Vought family and their commitment to the Loyalist cause during the American Revolution. Our museum will educate the public about the deep division within the population and the severity of the civil conflict that played out across Hunterdon County and New Jersey throughout our nation's turbulent struggle for independence. The historic narrative of the Vought family combined with the extraordinarily rare architectural fabric of their homestead makes the 1759 Vought House among the most significant Revolutionary War era sites in New Jersey. Don't believe it? Just ask the National Park Service – they gave us an award of more than $600K from the Semiquincentennial Grant program for preservation of significant sites related to our nation's founding. That NPS grant award, combined with a 2025 Hunterdon County Historic Preservation grant award, has been a major boost to our restoration effort! Join us and let's make history! Visit: www.VoughtHouse.org and click "Support our Mission" to send us a message. Want to help but don't have time? Consider donating to our cause! Click the "Donate Now" button on our website, or mail a check to: 1759 Vought House, P.O. Box 369, Annandale, NJ 08801. – David Overaker, President, Board of Trustees, 1759 Vought House president@voughthouse.org

• Cover