WESTFIELD — Members of the Westfield Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) met on June 8 at the Explore Elizabeth’s Revolutionary Past event, produced by the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership (EAP) and held in the bustling downtown shopping district of Elizabeth.

The Westfield Chapter DAR was invited to this event to commemorate the June 7, 1780 battle that occurred as part of the victory battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms. In 1780, what today is Westfield was part of Elizabethtown, as it was known then, and this event signaled the Westfield Chapter’s effort toward the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

Julia Diddell was the DAR Chapter chairperson who managed this event, recruited the DAR committee, set up the seven exhibits and display tables, including one table for the Westfield Chapter, and an encampment of Heard’s Militia. Later, chapter members were joined by nearly 100 musicians and the flag regiment of the Minuteman Marching Band from Elizabeth High School.

It was estimated that the event was attended by approximately 500 people. DAR Chapter members thoroughly enjoyed meeting over 100 people at the Westfield Chapter’s information table, where many copies of The Preamble of The Constitution were passed out and small groups gathered for impromptu readings.

TheWestfield Chapter DAR thanked NJSDAR State Historian Patricia Santfner, for being at the event in period dress; Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, for attending, and Brian Herkalo, who portrayed one of General George Washington’s guards.With its success this year, the EAP has announced that the event will occur again on June 7, 2025, and the Westfield Chapter has been invited to return.