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Department of State

The Hon. Tahesha Way, Lt. Governor and Secretary of State

Historical Commission Announces 2018 New Jersey History Forum, Greetings from New Jersey: Popular Culture and the Garden State

Forum to Feature Actors, Historians, and Presentations on the History of NJ Food, Television, Music, and More

 

TRENTON, N.J. - Concluding a year-long focus on New Jersey’s popular culture history, the New Jersey Historical Commission, in partnership with the New Jersey State Museum and the New Jersey State Archives, will hold the 2018 History Forum, Greetings from New Jersey: Popular Culture and the Garden State, at Monmouth University’s beautiful Wilson Hall on Friday, November 2nd.

The Forum is a biennial program established to underscore the importance of studying and sharing local history. Greetings from New Jersey will consider the impact of music, television, foodways, design, and film on the state, kicking-off with an opening keynote talk by Bob Santelli, founding director of the Grammy Museum and author of Greetings from E Street: The Story of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and The Big Beat Conversations with Rock’s Great Drummers, co-authored with E Street Band’s Max Weinberg. The talk will be moderated by Dr. Louis Masur, Distinguished Professor of American Studies and History at Rutgers University – New Brunswick.

Over lunch, attendees will be joined by actor Ian Kahn, who portrayed George Washington in the AMC hit series Turn, Sandy Mackenzie Lloyd, historian at Historic Philadelphia Inc., and Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar, historian and author of Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge, for a discussion about the history of the American Revolution in popular culture. Presentations and workshops throughout the day will feature topics in New Jersey popular culture history such as the new Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, teaching with Thomas Edison, how the state has shaped American television, and so much more.

“From The Perils of Pauline to War of the Worlds, Count Basie, and The Sopranos, New Jersey has undeniably made its mark on popular culture in the United States and around the world. We are excited to explore and honor this history at the 2018 Forum,” said Historical Commission Executive Director Sara Cureton.

Registration and a preliminary program can be accessed by visiting History.NJ.gov and checking out the 2018 Forum webpage. A discounted early bird registration rate is now available through October 9, 2018.

About the New Jersey Historical Commission

 

The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) is a state agency dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. Established by law in 1967, its work is founded on the fundamental belief that an understanding of our shared heritage is essential to sustaining a cohesive and robust democracy.

History.NJ.gov
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