Main Gallery Exhibits

In 1776, thirteen colonies broke away from British rule with the American Revolution. What began as a protest against taxation and absolute power became an experiment in democracy. The outcome reshaped the immediate lives of those living in the colonies, and the entire world in the centuries that followed. As a geographic crossroads, New Jersey was pushed and pulled by both British and Patriot forces, supplying sustenance, labor and support (or not) at different times during the conflict.

The revolution and the causes leading up to it did not occur overnight but developed with years of tension, debate and sacrifice. Families, friends, and neighbors often found themselves at odds, and although the Declaration of Independence’s assertion that “all men are created equal” served as a powerful rallying cry, the struggle to define and achieve equality did not end in 1776. So You Say You Want a Revolution invites you to explore these hardships and complexities as we trace the impact upon the everyday lives of New Jerseyans, as well as the path the revolution forged towards ideals of true equality.

For our full exhibit calendar for 2026, click here.