How a State Public History Agency Encourages Collaboration

The 350^th anniversary of New Jersey’s birth provided an opportunity to the New Jersey Historical Commission for a variety of new programming initiatives. In addition to the film series It Happened Here: New Jersey and its accompanying teaching resources, the Commission encouraged broad participation in anniversary activities state-wide. Aided by the establishment of a website that served as an information hub, projects ranged from exhibitions and festivals, to plays, lectures, and new publications. Some of these initiatives are only now coming to fruition, while public history organizations work to continue the positive outcomes of increased visibility and diverse partnerships.