Bergen250, a program from the Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs, will begin its 2026 American Revolutionary War Roundtable Series with a public lecture on January 14. The event will take place at 7:00 PM in the Learning Center on the fourth floor of the Bergen County Administration Building in Hackensack.
The first lecture, titled “Roots of Resistance: Why Some Jersey Dutch Joined the Patriot Cause in the Revolution,” will be delivered by Tim Adriance. Adriance is a historian and historic preservation specialist with deep family roots in Bergen County. His work on restoration projects has been featured in various publications, including Better Homes and Gardens.
The series aims to highlight regional history before, during, and after the Revolutionary period. According to organizers, Bergen County’s population during the Revolution was largely made up of Jersey Dutch residents. While most supported British rule, some joined the Patriot movement. The lecture will explore factors influencing this decision that developed more than a century before 1776.
“Join us to discover the long-held cultural and personal beliefs that ignited the quest for independence,” event organizers said.
Those unable to attend can watch a recording of the lecture on Bergen County’s official YouTube channel after the event.
Future sessions in this year-long series include presentations by Kevin Tremble on preserving Hudson River battlefields (February 11), Char Weigel discussing Peggy Shippen Arnold (March 11), Jack Kelly on Thomas Paine (April 8), and Todd Braisted covering British invasions across New Jersey (May 13). All events are scheduled at the same location.
Bergen250 is an initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. It seeks to educate and engage local residents about Bergen County’s role in U.S. history through lectures and community programming. More information is available at www.Bergen250.com.
