Message from Councilwoman Elizabeth Stamler – June 26, 2026
As Scotch Plains celebrates Revolution 250 today and tomorrow, I'm delighted to share our Bill Picard's thoughtful look back at our town's journey since 1984 — the year of our Tercentennial and the burial of a time capsule that we'll soon reopen, 42 years later, on this nation's 250th birthday.
Today, we also mark the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Short Hills, an uplifting victory for American forces against the British army that outnumbered them 4-to-1. So, as you can see, there is plenty of history to celebrate right now!
Many would be surprised to learn that Scotch Plains predates the country by 92 years, founded all the way back in 1684 — nearly a decade before the Salem witch trials.
Bill, our town’s unofficial historian, shares a wonderful reminder of how much has changed in Scotch Plains, and how much has stayed wonderfully the same. Our population has grown, our schools have grown with it, and our downtown continues to evolve — yet many of the institutions and traditions that defined us in 1984 are still here today, just as the ones from centuries before still anchor us now.
I hope you enjoy this look back as much as I did, and that you'll join us this weekend as Scotch Plains honors both our nation's founding and our own town's remarkable history.
You are invited at 4:30 p.m. today for the opening ceremony at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church, 333 Park Ave., honoring the patriots and soldiers of the American Revolution interred there.
At approximately 5 p.m., a parade led by a Gen. George Washington on horseback will proceed down Park Avenue to Scotch Plains Town Hall. We will then open a time capsule that was buried on October 14, 1984.
Festivities continue from approximately 6-7:30 p.m. on the Alan M. Augustine Village Green with food, music and activities.
Tomorrow’s celebration starts at 5 p.m. at Shady Rest and will feature live music starting around 6:30 p.m., followed by an amazing fireworks display at dusk.
And don’t forget to email us photos of 250th Anniversary events that you are planning this summer to mark the big event. Click here to submit your photos.
