Join the Sandy Hook Foundation and author and historian Michael Gabriele for a Tavern Talk at the Life-Saving Station on Sandy Hook.
Michael will discuss his new book and how NJ Taverns played a key role in the road to our independence.
“Colonial Taverns of New Jersey – Libations, Liberty and Revolution,” published by The History Press, is the newest book by New Jersey author Michael Gabriele. New Jersey was the “Crossroads of the American Revolution,” and as battles raged, colonial taverns formed the social network that held the state together.
Taverns were the main stage for the unfolding drama of a colony transitioning into statehood and making decisions about declaring a war of independence. They were the places where the voices of history took shape. Taverns offer a “window” into the daily affairs of colonial villages.
New Jersey had many colonial taverns (an estimated 400) along well-traveled routes, due to the demand for carriage travel between New York and Philadelphia—transporting people and commercial goods. George Washington commandeered taverns as his temporary headquarters, where he drafted his many letters and planned strategy with his generals.
“Each day in the Garden State, we literally walk along the Crossroads of the Revolution in the footprints of our forbearers—a legacy that lies just below the surface of our everyday lives. The ghosts that linger on these byways sustain our state’s collective heritage. Individual sketches of people, places and events presented in this book are illuminating, but when assembled as a whole from numerous sources, a more complete, colorful mosaic emerges—a grassroots saga of New Jersey’s Revolutionary spirit and colonial life. This mosaic, this saga, is the foundation of our state’s living history,” Gabriele wrote in the book’s epilogue.
There is a $20 suggested donation to the Sandy Hook Foundation for attending this free event. Donations go directly to supporting our National Park, Sandy Hook.
About the Author:This is Michael C. Gabriele’s fifth book on New Jersey history, all published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press. A lifelong Garden State resident, he is a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist, freelance writer and author for more than 40 years. Visit Gabriele’s website (https://mcgabrielenjbooks.com/), which offers an overview of all his books.
Location: Spermaceti Cove US Life-Saving Station, located between Lots D and E on Sandy Hook
Parking: Park in the north end of LOT D and walk up the boardwalk to the Life-Saving Station
Book Sales: Michael’s books will be available for sale at the event for $20, cash only.