Overview
Step into Newark’s past with a free outdoor program presented by Newark History Society, NJPAC, and Newark Public Library. Set in Harriet Tubman Square, the event explores the stories behind two significant Newark landmarks, beginning with the Newark Academy monument and the school’s fascinating role during the Revolutionary War.
Jim Coe, teacher of the humanities and archivist at Newark Academy, shares the story of the institution’s founding in 1774, its transformation into a hospital and militia barracks, and its eventual burning by British forces in 1780. Newark journalist and author Guy Sterling turns the focus to J. Massey Rhind’s equestrian statue of George Washington, exploring the monument’s depiction of Washington’s 1783 farewell to his troops. Together, these presentations offer a lively look at the people, places and stories that helped shape Newark’s history.