FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 5, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:
Derek Sands
DSands@BergenCountyNJ.gov

BERGEN 250 TO KICK OFF 2026 REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROUNDTABLE SERIES, YEAR-LONG HIGHLIGHT ON REGIONAL HISTORY

First Lecture to Spotlight the Jersey Dutch who Joined the Patriot Cause

Hackensack, NJ – Bergen250, the Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs, and the County of Bergen invite the public and media to attend the kickoff of the 2026 American Revolutionary War Roundtable Series on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:00 PM at the Bergen County Administration Building’s Learning Center, 4th Floor, 1 Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack.

The evening’s lecture will be the first of a year-long focus on our region before, during, and after the Revolutionary period. “Roots of Resistance: Why Some Jersey Dutch Joined the Patriot Cause in the Revolution,” will be presented by Tim Adriance, well-known local historian and lifelong Bergen County resident with ancestral roots in the region that date back generations. Mr. Adriance is a historic preservation specialist and has consulted on, written about, and worked on historic sites throughout Bergen County. His restoration work has been published in numerous magazines, including Better Homes and Gardens.

Bergen County is rich in Revolutionary War history. During the Revolution, the county’s population was primarily comprised of a distinct cultural group known as the Jersey Dutch. While most residents aligned with the British, a significant minority of the Jersey Dutch took the courageous step of supporting the Patriot movement. But what motivated this decision? This program delves into the underlying factors that took shape more than a century prior to 1776. Join us to discover the long-held cultural and personal beliefs that ignited the quest for independence.

For those unable to attend in person, the lecture will be recorded and published on the County of Bergen’s official YouTube channel following the event.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Spring 2026 American Revolutionary War Roundtable Series Kickoff Lecture

Topic: “Roots of Resistance: Why Some Jersey Dutch Joined the Patriot Cause in the Revolution”

Who: Presented by Tim Adriance

When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – 7:00 PM

Where: Bergen County Administration Building, 4th Floor Learning Center, 1 Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Jan. 14 – Tim Adriance: The Dutch in Bergen County

Feb. 11 – Kevin Tremble: Defense of the Hudson: Preserving the Hudson River Battlefield

March 11 – Char Weigel: A Revolutionary Revelation: The Complex Story of Peggy Shippen Arnold

April 8 – Jack Kelly: Thomas Paine in the American Revolution

May 13 – Todd Braisted: The Mud Rounds: The British invasion and the Great Retreat Across the Jerseys

*All Rev Roundtable events will be held at the Bergen County Administration Building’s Learning Center, 4th Floor, 1 Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack

About Bergen250

Bergen250 is Bergen County’s initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, highlighting the county’s critical role in the nation’s founding and engaging the public through lectures, events, and community programming. For more information, visit www.Bergen250.com.

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