PARK RIDGE—Three Pascack Valley boroughs are joining forces to help mark the nation’s 250th anniversary — the nation’s semiquincentennial — planning a year-long slate of events that will tie local history into a countywide commemoration of America’s Revolutionary past.
Mayor Keith Misciagna announced this week that Park Ridge, Montvale, and Woodcliff Lake are collaborating on a regional initiative that will launch in January 2026. Organizers say the calendar of events will blend history, education, and community celebration while also boosting tourism and the local economy.
“This is a unique opportunity to come together as a region and celebrate our shared history in a meaningful and memorable way,” Misciagna said.
Overall, the nation’s milestone birthday will involve national, state, and local initiatives, including historical commemorations, public events, and community gatherings, with Philadelphia serving as a central hub for major events like FIFA World Cup matches and the MLB All-Star Game. The celebration aims to reflect on the nation’s past, honor its diverse people, and look toward the future.
Kickoff meeting
A kickoff session this week brought together representatives from the three boroughs, along with Park Ridge Historian Ralph H. Donnell Jr. and Kristin Beuscher, president of the Pascack Historical Society, at 19 Ridge Ave. Beuscher—well known to Pascack Press readers as the author of the popular Back in Time feature and a former editor of this paper—will help guide the project.
Bergen County Commissioners Tracy Zur and Tom Sullivan also attended, offering insights on how the towns’ plans can dovetail with a broader countywide celebration.
Part of Bergen250
The tri-town initiative aligns with Bergen250, a county effort designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution through the diverse lens of Bergen County’s people, places, and culture.
Bergen County played a pivotal role in the Revolution. George Washington’s retreat across New Jersey in late 1776 passed through Fort Lee, Englewood, Teaneck, New Milford, River Edge, and Hackensack. In September 1778, River Vale was the site of the Baylor Massacre, where dozens of Continental dragoons were killed in a surprise British attack. And in 1781, the Continental and French armies marched south along present-day Route 202 in Mahwah and Oakland on their way to the decisive victory at Yorktown, Va.
Through Bergen250, the Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs and dozens of partners—from historic sites and schools to libraries, community groups, and businesses—are planning programs to promote 250 years of history through education, engagement, conversation, and tourism.
County Executive James J. Tedesco III and the Board of Commissioners are backing the initiative.
Local programming begins
For Pascack Valley towns, the challenge now is to create a vibrant local calendar that ties into the bigger story. The organizing committee will draw from schools, businesses, nonprofits, and historical groups across the three boroughs.
The Pascack Historical Society (PHS), which Beuscher leads, has already scheduled a series of lectures to set the stage for the anniversary. Topics range from Jersey Dutch culture and the Lenape to Revolutionary War history and portraits of founding figures brought to life by historical interpreters.
PHS Upcoming Lectures (2 to 4 p.m. at 19 Ridge Ave., Park Ridge):
- Sept. 7: Jersey Dutch Culture
- Nov. 9: Native American Culture – the Lenape
- Mar. 22, 2026: Tim Adriance on The Revolutionary War & Pascack Valley
- Apr. 26: Jack Sherry as Ben Franklin
- Jun. 14: Carol Simon Levin as Abigail Adams
- Jul. 12: Joel Farkas on The Declaration of Independence
- Nov. 2: Billy Neumann on Robert Erskine
Misciagna urged residents to “stay tuned for ways to get involved,” noting that further details will be announced as 2026 approaches.