New Jersey was the “Crossroads of the American Revolution” and as battles raged, colonial taverns formed the social network that held the state together. Citing research from his book, Gabriele will discuss how taverns housed the daily experiences of people during the colonial era, and how these stories provide a window into the state’s history from that period. A haven for Patriots and Loyalists alike, taverns were the “seedbeds” for the revolution, strongholds for political activities, beacons for travelers, and venues for entertainment, merriment, and libations. Once the war began, taverns became recruitment stations for colonial militias and meeting places for local committees of safety. This event will take place on Zoom, register here.

A lifelong Garden State resident, Michael C. Gabriele is a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist, freelance writer and author for more than forty years. Gabriele is a member of the board of trustees for the New Jersey Folk Festival at Rutgers University and a member of the executive boards for the Allied Artists of America, New York; the Nutley Historical Society; and the Theater League of Clifton, and he serves on the advisory board of the Clifton Arts Center.

This is Michael C. Gabriele’s fifth book (Colonial Taverns of New Jersey) on New Jersey history, all published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press. His previous books are, in chronological order: The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey (2011); The History of Diners in New Jersey (2013); New Jersey Folk Revival Music: History and Tradition (2016); and Stories from New Jersey Diners: Monuments to Community (2019). To learn more about his publications and purchase visit: https://mcgabrielenjbooks.com.

This program was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program  do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.