‘Raise the Roof’ gala to build new history museum in Bergen County set for Oct. 19

The Bergen County Historical Society announced a fundraising gala to support the building of a new 3,750-square-foot history museum at the 13-acre Historic New Bridge Landing site in River Edge from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 19 at Sanzari’s New Bridge Inn in New Milford.

Distinguished gala honorees include retired Sen. Loretta Weinberg; Jose Lozano, senior vice president, strategic business partnerships, Hackensack Meridian Health; Bill Hanson, president of NAI James E. Hanson; Tammy Molinelli, executive director of Bergen County Workforce Development Board; and Anita Rivers, executive director of community relations at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

All proceeds raised will go toward the transformational museum building, which includes all facets of the project — the museum construction, planned exhibits and educational programming — which will be visitor-ready in time for our nation’s 250th Anniversary on July Fourth 2026.

“We look forward to bringing a dynamic new museum to life on this historic site that is a noted landmark of American history,” Deborah Powell, building chairperson, commented. “The new museum will provide added space to accommodate new educational programming for more people and expanded exhibit space for our collections of over 4,000 original artifacts, textiles and documents that tell the story of how Bergen County and our country came to be.”

Admission to the gala includes a cocktail hour with lively entertainment by musicians Anne & Ridley Enslow, a silent auction, dinner and dancing to the famed band Soul’ed Out and recognition of extraordinary honorees who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and shown dedication and commitment to preserving and honoring New Jersey history.

Tickets cost $195 and include a one-year membership to the Bergen County Historical Society ($175 for members). Guests are asked to dress business casual with a patriotic flair.

Further information about the gala, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket information, can be found by visiting bergencountyhistory.org or by emailing bergenhistorymuseum@gmail.com.