TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey will introduce a new specialty license plate commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution after Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the legislation into law. The initiative recognizes New Jersey’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding while helping preserve Revolutionary War sites across the state.
Sherrill signed the bill Thursday as part of a package of legislation that reached her desk. The General Assembly had approved the measure on June 30, but procedural requirements prevented it from being signed before the Fourth of July, meaning the commemorative plate narrowly missed debuting during America’s Independence Day celebrations.
Following the bill’s signing, Senator Jim Holzapfel, one of the measure’s primary sponsors, said he was pleased that the legislation creating the commemorative Revolutionary War license plate had officially become law, calling it a tribute to New Jersey’s role in America’s fight for independence.
The new plate, officially named the “250th Anniversary Revolutionary War” license plate, will be designed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in partnership with the New Jersey Historical Commission. The final design has not yet been released.
Motorists who choose the specialty plate will pay a one-time $50 application fee and an additional $10 annual renewal fee. Revenue generated through the program will help preserve and restore Revolutionary War landmarks and historic sites throughout New Jersey.
The plates will not be available immediately. Under the law, production can begin only after certain requirements are met, including securing enough applications and startup funding. State officials estimate that at least 500 applicationswill be needed before production can begin, meaning the plates may not be available for about a year.
The specialty plate is part of a broader statewide effort to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. New Jersey has invested approximately $130 million in improvements to historic parks and Revolutionary War landmarks, including a nearly $29 million visitor center at Washington Crossing State Park in Mercer County, which is expected to open this fall. Other sites receiving upgrades include Princeton Battlefield State Park, Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, and Wallace House in Somerville, one of George Washington’s Revolutionary War headquarters.
Often referred to as the “Crossroads of the American Revolution,” New Jersey was the site of more Revolutionary War battles than any other state. Lawmakers say the new specialty plate will celebrate that legacy while providing long-term funding to preserve the state’s historic treasures for future generations.
Sources: WRNJ Radio, New Jersey Senate, PhillyVoice, NJ101.5, Jersey Vindicator. Jim Holzapfel’s X post.