Revolutionary Stories Come Alive at Sold-Out Travels with Darley Screening in Union, NJ

On Saturday night, history lovers, community leaders, and local residents attended a sold-out screening of Travels with Darley: New Jersey Revolutionary Road Trip at the DMK Black Box Theatre in Union, New Jersey in honor of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

The debut screening was followed by an engaging and thoughtful panel discussion that explored the region’s deep Revolutionary roots and the importance of preserving local stories. Panelists included Rachael Goldberg of Liberty Hall Museum, Jonathan Mercantini of Kean University, and Rev. Dr. Wanda Lundy of the 313+ Project, each offering unique perspectives that helped bring Union County’s Revolutionary-era history into sharper focus.

Audience participation added energy and insight to the conversation—along with a shared appreciation for great cheese, a beloved staple of any Travels with Darley gathering. The new Travels with Darley Revolutionary Road Trip episode was screened for the first time for an audience who reacted to many of the segments, including surprising information being uncovered by the 313+ Project and a fun segment with 95-year-old entreprenuer George Thomas at Galloping Hill Inn, famous for its hot dogs and in a location with Revolutionary ties. 

The evening was further honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including Union Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier, New Jersey Senator Joe Cryan, and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. Their attendance underscored the significance of community partnerships and civic engagement in safeguarding and sharing the stories that shaped the nation.

Travels with Darley: Union County Revolutionary Road Trip takes viewers on a journey through powerful and often overlooked historic sites, including the Caldwell Parsonage and First Presbyterian Church, as well as Patriot-era locations across Scotch Plains, Elizabeth, Springfield, Plainfield, and beyond. Together, these sites reveal the local impact of the American Revolution and the enduring legacy of the people who lived it.

Viewers can catch the episode on their local PBS stations, with a new season of Travels with Darley on NJ PBS Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., beginning next week. The Union County Revolutionary Road Trip episode will broadcast on February 11.

The Travels with Darley team extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the evening and this project a success, including the production team for filming and sound support. Special appreciation goes to the New Jersey Historic Trust, the Union Township Historical Society, and event sponsors for their continued commitment to keeping these Revolutionary stories alive for future generations.

watch a tiktok video from the event

@darleynewman 🎉 Revolutionary stories! A look at last night’s screening of Travels with Darley: New Jersey Revolutionary Road Trip at the DMK Black Box Theatre in Union, NJ, which brought together a sold-out crowd for an evening of history, conversation, and community—fittingly in honor of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The debut screening was followed by a lively and thoughtful panel featuring Rachel Goldberg of Liberty Hall Museum, Jonathan Mercantini of Kean University, and Rev. Dr. Wanda Lundy of the 313+ Project, who helped bring local Revolutionary-era stories into sharper focus. Audience participation added to the energy of the evening—along with great cheese (a must for any Travels with Darley event!). Travels with Darley: Union County Revolutionary Road Trip takes viewers through powerful sites such as Caldwell Parsonage and First Presbyterian Church, along with Patriot-era locations in Scotch Plains, Elizabeth, Springfield, Plainfield, and beyond. 📺 You can watch the episode on your local PBS station, and be sure to tune in to NJ PBS for our new season airing Wednesdays at 5:30pm starting next week. 🗓️ Don’t miss this Revolutionary Road Trip episode on February 11th! #america250 #americanrevolution #travel #unioncountynj #newjersey ♬ Upbeat Funk - FASSounds

As America approaches its semiquincentennial, events like this serve as a powerful reminder that the nation’s history lives not only in textbooks, but in the communities, conversations, and shared experiences that continue to shape it today.