REVOLUTION AT PRINCETON: Artillery demonstrations will start the day’s celebrations this Saturday at Princeton Battlefield, as the Battlefield Society hosts a series of educational and entertaining events in approaching the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Princeton, a pivotal clash in the American Revolution. (Photo by John Lien)

On January 3, 1777 General George Washington’s revolutionary forces fought and defeated British troops in the Battle of Princeton, a pivotal event in the American Revolution.

To make sure the important events and related historical details are remembered as the 240th anniversary of that date approaches, the Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) will be hosting a day packed full of action and information at the Battlefield, 500 Mercer Street, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, September 24.

“As we move toward the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Princeton, we want to make learning about the Battle ever more interesting, compelling and, yes, entertaining,” said PBS vice president Kip Cherry.

The day will begin with demonstrations of the 43rd Regiment’s Royal Artillery, followed by lectures and book signings by Patrick O’Donnell, author of the best-selling Washington’s Immortals, and a reenactment of the pistol duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, along with a presentation by Hamilton authority Nolan Asch.

Though the duel actually took place in Weehawken in 1804, both Burr and Hamilton have rich local connections. Burr is buried in Princeton Cemetery, and his father was a founder and president of Princeton University when it was still called the College of New Jersey. Hamilton as a young artillery commander is thought to have participated in the Battle of Princeton.

Other activities scheduled at the Battlefield on Saturday include demonstrations of military and colonial life, music of the period, Patriot marching, artwork, an exhibit from the National Marine Corps Museum (the first death of a marine in a land battle took place at the Battle of Princeton), a display of American Revolution swords and muskets, interactive map presentations on the Battle itself and the ten crucial days leading up to it, a visit by George Washington, Battlefield tours, tours of the Clarke House and museum and more.

Battlefield Society board secretary Roger Williams pointed out that all this excitement is just the start of the 240th anniversary celebrations. “I’m excited that this is going to be the kick-off for a year of educational events that I hope the community will join us in,” he said.

Mr. Williams mentioned that the PBS, with financial support from the state, will be renovating the Clarke House, starting this fall. He added that a special event will take place at the Princeton University Art Museum on October 29 featuring Paul Staiti, author of the newly published Of Arms and Artists: the American Revolution Through Painters’ Eyes. 

In other developments, the PBS has just launched a major archaeology and historical documents research project, according to Ms. Cherry. Using federal funds to expand knowledge of the Battle of Princeton, the PBS will be making a presentation to the public and soliciting input on Thursday, October 27 in the Community Room of the Princeton Municipal Building.

In the meantime, the PBS is “continuing its efforts on all fronts,” Ms Cherry said, to halt an Institute for Advanced Study faculty housing construction project that would encroach on the edge of the Battlefield. The PBS is currently awaiting a response to its appeal of a Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission 2015 decision to approve the housing project and it continues to pursue its law suit under the Clean Water Act.