THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES: Costumed Revolutionary-era soldiers are among the attractions at the upcoming Princeton 1776 Fest, a multi-sensory event geared to families on Saturday, October 3, at Morven Museum & Garden.
By Anne Levin
If you thought that commemorations of the nation’s 250th birthday were winding down, think again. The Princeton 1776 Fest planned for the grounds of Morven Museum & Garden on Saturday, October 3, is a full-out celebration of life in Princeton during the American Revolution.
The focus at this family-friendly event, which was nearly three years in the making, is on everyday Colonial life rather than the crucial Battle of Princeton and the military strategy it entailed.
“We wanted to create an event that would focus less on the political history and the battles and more on the social life — the social fabric of what was going on at the time,” said Greer Luce, Morven’s curator of education and public programs. “This is a true partnership between Morven, the Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS), the Historical Society of Princeton (HSP), and the Princeton Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). From the beginning, we’ve talked about how we could collaborate and make that the focus.”
Targeted for families in particular, the festival will include hands-on activities, historical demonstrations of cider-making (with samples), displays of historic costumes, and tools and apothecary supplies from the way medicine was practiced. Among the historical reenactors will be Dr. Benjamin Rush, who will talk about his role as surgeon general of the Continental Army.
“That’s always very popular, especially with kids,” said Luce. “They are very curious about medicine.”
Live music on the front lawn will be provided by the Ragtime Relics performing historic American folk songs and bluegrass; and John Burkhalter of the Practitioners of Musick playing period music from the 18th and 19th centuries.
While everyday life is the theme, a major highlight of the event is the Princeton Battlefield Society’s sprawling diorama depicting the Battle of Princeton, on view in the Stockton Education Center. “It has never been seen before, so that’s pretty exciting,” said Luce. “It takes up at least three tables. And folks from the Battlefield Society will be there to walk you through, explain the day, and answer questions.”
Representatives from the DAR will have an exhibit exploring the lives of Black soldiers who fought in New Jersey during the Revolution. At least 14 Black men fought alongside Gen. George Washington in the Battle of Princeton. Also on the scene will be Benjamin Franklin, available for questioning about signing the Declaration
of Independence.
Food and drinks will be available from McCaffrey’s Food Markets and Triumph Brewing Company. Colonial lawn games with townspeople, soldiers singing tavern songs, and an archaeological dig are some other activities planned.
The immersive festival is a collaborative effort involving not only Morven, the PBS, HSP, and the DAR.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t call out all of the community partners — the League of Women Voters, Princeton Public Library, The Old Barracks, and the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, among others,” said Luce. “This has really been a joint effort to immerse people in this time period, with so many contributors.”
Morven is located at 55 Stockton Street. The festival will be held from 12 to 3 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, October 4. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the door. The festival is free for children 12 and under and active military or veterans with ID. Register at morven.org/events/Princeton-1776-fest.
“You can stop in, or stay the whole time,” said Luce. “The more the merrier.”