Join the John Fell House in
Allendale’s celebration of America’s 250th Semiquincentennial Anniversary

The Holiday Observers of Allendale are proud to invite you to our town’s celebration of America’s 250th semiquincentennial anniversary. Please join them for a day of history, community, and entertainment as we celebrate this milestone together.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026, with the rain date being the following day
Time: 1:00 PM (starts immediately following the town parade)
Location: Red Barn at Crestwood Lake
Who: Allendale residents and their guests

There is a full afternoon planned to appeal to all ages, including live music, living history reenactors, carnival games, pony rides, and a horse-drawn carriage. Adults can also enjoy our dedicated beer and wine garden.  See the schedule of events.

We look forward to seeing the community there to mark this historic occasion.

2026 Allendale 250th List of Events – click here for the PDF flier…

For additional information on Allendale Salutes America at 250 and the town parade that starts at noon on 9/19/26 click here for the link to the Borough website!!

The NW Bergen History Coalition Luncheon & Presentation

THE MUD ROUNDS: THE BRITISH INVASION &
THE GREAT RETREAT ACROSS THE JERSEYS
Presented by Todd Braisted
Wednesday, October 28 at 12 noon
Ramsey Golf & Country Club
In their newly renovated and spacious ballroom
105 Lakeside Drive, Ramsey, NJ
Valet Parking

Remodeled Entrance Offers Handicap Ramp & Inside Elevator
$70 per person (cash bar)

In the fall of 1776, the British thought their campaign to take New York was at a close. George Washington had divided his troops primarily between Westchester County, New York and Fort Lee, NJ with Fort Washington situated between the two. In the course of four days in November, the British rapidly captured both fortifications, along with thousands of troops, dozens of cannon and numerous military stores. Washington, faced with expiring enlistments and dwindling morale, was forced to flee across New Jersey with thousands of Cornwallis’ troops on his heels. This is the story of some of the darkest days of the Revolution – told at a fast pace to match the fleeing Patriots.
Todd Braistead is an author and independent researcher specializing in American Revolution Loyalist studies. He has published over 60 books and journal articles. He is a past president of the Bergen County Historical Society and the Brigade of the American Revolution, a Fellow in the Company of Military Historians and former chair of their West Point Chapter. He serves as an advisory council member of RevolutionNJ. He is a consultant for the Museum of the American Revolution, and he wrote the 2017 National Park Service Battlefield Studies Preservation Plan for Fort Lee.

For more information click the link to the event PDF:
2026 Coalition lunch form

The Revolutionary War Roundtable Speaker Series Bergen20  continues through the year in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of our nation.
Come learn about it now and get ready!

More information on their website: Bergen250

For their Facebook page: Bergen250 (Facebook page)

Click here for a PDF of the flier: Bergen 250 speaker events flier

Thank you for participating in the events that we’ve held at the John Fell House – scroll down to see all our past activities and let us know what events you’d like us to host again.

Hear Ye!  ✦  Hear Ye! Ye Great & Glorious

Tavern Night!

Celebrate Ye 250th Anniversary of American Independence!

A Night of Revelry, Fine Spirits & Living History!

Ye Finest Craft Ales from Gear Block Brewery of Waldwick!
Choose Thy Favourite Brew & It Shall Be Named
“John Fell Brew” for the Remainder of the Year at thy Gear Block Brewery!

Beer, Wine, Beverages & Heavy Appetizers Shall Be Served!

Meet Ye Distinguished Historical Figures!
Step Back in Time & Rejoice!

Merriment Begins at 6:30 O’Clock in the Evening
Thursday, the 4th of June,  2026

The John Fell House ·
475 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale, New Jersey

Early Bird Tickets: $50 Per Person — Before May 26th
Ticket price will not be increased after May 25th – sign up now and join the fun!!!
General Admission: $60 Per Person — After May 25th

Secure Thy Ticket here:
Tavern Night Reservation and Tickets

Click here for the flier:  June 4 – Tavern night flier

Please join us for the annual Northwest Bergen History Coalition

History Day

The  John Fell House hours will be Saturday April 25, 2026
from 11am – 3pm

The John Fell House is a  22-room Colonial Revival mansion on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. It was built in three phases. The first was erected c.1760 by John Fell, a leading patriot during the Revolutionary War.  Fell was arrested at this house by Loyalists and imprisoned in New York City for nearly a year, he later served in the Continental Congress and ratified the Constitution for New Jersey.

History Day will feature Jack Goudsward as Capt. Pat Casey, the owner and master of the trading sloop The Pride, under the employment of John Fell. Jack will present period artifacts and displays.

Jim Wright will present The Turncoat and the Patriot, a brief tale of two revolutionary New Jerseyans, at 12 noon and 2 pm.

Fun activities for kids and adults include scavenger hunts, trivia games, and exhibits of Revolutionary War artifacts.

Please note the other historic location hours are from 10am-4pm.

Click on the following link to see a pdf of the flier: Northwest Bergen History Coalition

The John Fell House is looking for volunteers to
help with the momentous occasion of celebrating
the 250h Anniversary of our Nation.

Please join us for our open house meeting to discuss how you can help us celebrate the nation and John Fell’s participation in the success of the Revolution.

Learn about John Fell and be a part of the celebration!

NEW DATE 

Tuesday March 24, 2026

7:30pm

At the John Fell House
475 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale, NJ

Light refreshments will be served
Open to the public

Contact us if you would like to attend or require additional information.
thefellhouse@gmail.com

The NW Bergen History Coalition Luncheon & Presentation

Protecting The Ramapo Pass:
George Washington’s Little Known Fortifications at Sidman’s Bridge
Presented by Craig H. Long, Rockland County Historian

Friday, November 1, 2024 at 12 noon
Buffet Lunch at Portobello Banquets
155 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, NJ

$55 per person (cash bar)

George Washington’s Little Known Fortifications at Sidman’s Bridge When we drive up Route 287 or Route 17, we are passing a piece of history that George Washington knew well: The Ramapo Pass. He wrote in his logbook that it was of vital importance that the Ramapo Pass remain in American possession.  Craig H. Long was born and raised in Suffern and has family roots in the community dat­ing back to the 1700s.  He is the Rockland County Historian and also serves as Historian for the Village of Suffern as well as for Montebello and the Town of Ramapo. He has authored several local history publications. He will share with us this important piece of Revolutionary War history.

For more information click the link to the event PDF:
2025 Coalition lunch form (1)

Barn Sale –
As part of the Allendale Women’s Club Town-wide Garage Sale

Please donate items to sell as a fund raiser for the John Fell House.

See attached flier:
Click here for a PDF flier:   Barn sale flier 2025

Please join us for the annual Northwest Bergen History Coalition

History Day

The  John Fell House hours will be Saturday April 26, 2025
from 11am – 3pm

The Fell House will feature house displays as well as displays from the Allendale Historical Society and special Revolutionary War displays from Jack Goudsward.

Also there will be a special presentation at the Fell House by Jim Wright – a talk on the “Traitor and the Patriot” at 12 noon and 2 pm.

Please note the other historic location hours are from 10am-4pm. To download a PDF click here: 1 Coalition day poster 2025