George Washington Returns to Scotch Plains to Help Celebrate America 250 - TAPinto
Patricia Chen · Union County Life
The Time Capsule Surprise
Mayor Josh Losardo did not expect to need a Halligan bar.
But when the 1984 time capsule buried outside Scotch Plains Town Hall turned out to be sealed in metal, he and Deputy Mayor Matt Adams borrowed the firefighting tool from the Scotch Plains Fire Department and got to work. When the capsule finally gave way, they found newspaper clippings, vintage photographs, campaign buttons from the 1984 presidential election, and a letter from Ronald Reagan congratulating the township on its 300th anniversary.
It was that kind of afternoon in Scotch Plains—the kind where history isn't something you read about in books. It's something that gets pried open in front of you.
The Day Unfolds
Friday, June 26. Hundreds of residents gathered downtown for the township's Revolution 250 Celebration, marking America's 250th anniversary with a full day of events.
The morning started at Scotch Plains Baptist Church, one of New Jersey's oldest. The cemetery there is the final resting place for soldiers who fought for American independence. Pastor Chaz Hutchison offered an invocation. Members of the Sons of the American Revolution presented the colors. Fourth-graders led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Losardo welcomed the crowd, and representatives from American Legion Post 209 and the Daughters of the American Revolution reflected on the sacrifices of those buried nearby.
As the names of Revolutionary War soldiers and patriots were read aloud, a wreath was placed in their honor. Bugler John Hines performed "Taps."
Then history marched.
George Washington Down Park Avenue
General George Washington—portrayed by historical interpreter John Koopman—led the parade alongside General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Rochambeau, whose French forces were critical to securing American independence, and Captain John Boylan, representing the New Jersey militia. Colonial fife and drum musicians, members of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, township officials, and Revolution NJ representatives joined the procession.
Residents lined Park Avenue, waving American flags.
The Evening
The day ended on Alan Augustine Village Green, where the Nettingham Middle School Jazz Ensemble performed and families gathered for a barbecue sponsored by the Stage House Tavern—itself a piece of local history. During the Revolutionary War, General Washington stopped at the Stage House as he traveled through the region.
Children enjoyed face painting and photo opportunities with reenactors. Local organizations—Preserve Shady Rest, the Frazee House, the Scotch Plains Public Library, the Osborne Cannonball House, Revolution NJ, and the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution—offered interactive exhibits on the township's colonial heritage.
Why This Moment Matters
New Jersey is known as the Crossroads of the Revolution for hosting more Revolutionary War battles than any other state. But that founding story wasn't written only in famous battlefields. It was written in communities like Scotch Plains—where ordinary citizens answered the call and whose legacy carries forward nearly two and a half centuries later.
For Union County Life readers in Scotch Plains, Friday's celebration was a reminder that you live in a place with roots. Deep ones. The people buried at Scotch Plains Baptist Church. The tavern where generals stopped. The time capsule from 1984 that connects generations of residents to a moment 42 years ago and to the nation's founding before that.
That's the story Scotch Plains told on June 26.
FAQ
Q: What was the Scotch Plains celebration on June 26 about?
The township marked America's 250th anniversary with a day that included a wreath-laying ceremony at Scotch Plains Baptist Church honoring Revolutionary War soldiers buried there, a parade led by a George Washington reenactor down Park Avenue, the opening of a 1984 time capsule, and an evening celebration on the Village Green.
Q: Who portrayed George Washington in the parade?
Historical interpreter John Koopman portrayed General George Washington and led the parade down Park Avenue.
Q: What was inside the 1984 time capsule?
The capsule contained newspaper clippings, vintage photographs, campaign buttons from the 1984 presidential election, and a letter from President Ronald Reagan congratulating the township on its 300th anniversary.
Q: What is the Stage House Tavern's connection to the Revolutionary War?
The Stage House Tavern, which sponsored the barbecue at the Village Green, hosted General Washington as he traveled through the Scotch Plains region during the Revolutionary War. It's a piece of local history that's still standing today.
Q: Who participated in the morning ceremony at Scotch Plains Baptist Church?
The ceremony included the pastor's invocation, the Sons of the American Revolution presenting colors, fourth-graders leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Losardo's remarks, representatives from American Legion Post 209 and the Daughters of the American Revolution sharing reflections on Revolutionary War sacrifices, and bugler John Hines performing "Taps."
