Click on the days of the week for the events of that day.
Wednesday December 26th
All events are free of charge unless otherwise noted.
The Public Reading of “The American Crisis”
Wednesday December 26th 10:30 am to 11:00 am
“ These are the times that try men’s souls.” So begins “The American Crisis,” Thomas Paine’s essay, written shortly before the Battles of Trenton, which helped rally Americans to the cause of the Revolution. Gather in the Old Barracks Courtyard to hear Thomas Paine read “The Crisis,” for the traditional kick-off of Patriots’ Week.
While the crowds gather to hear “The Crisis,” Spiced Punch, a dynamic musical quartet accompanied with guitar, fife and pennywhistle, sings Colonial-era songs of love, war and holiday cheer.
Revolution 101
Wednesday, December 26th 11:15 am to 12:15 pm
The American Revolution – in New Jersey and other colonies – was a bloody conflict pitting neighbor against neighbor in a civil struggle played out within the context of Atlantic imperial politics. Peter Mickulas, from the New Jersey Historical Commission, will provide background to the events commemorated by Patriots’ Week.
Meet Hannah Till
Wednesday, December 26th 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Meet Hannah Till, a cook for George Washington, and hear what it was like to be enslaved during the Revolution. Hannah Till is interpreted by Ajena Rogers of the Valley Forge National Historical Park and the African American Interpretation section of the National Association of Interpretation.
Eyewitness Images from the American Revolution
Wednesday, December 26th 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Arthur Lefkowitz, the author of Bushnell’s Submarine, Benedict Arnold’s Army, George Washington’s Indispensable Men, and The Long Retreat, will discuss eyewitness paintings, illustrations, sketches and portraits executed during the conflict.
Tracing Your New Jersey Revolutionary War Ancestor
Wednesday, December 26th 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm
Bette Epstein, Reference Supervisor at the New Jersey State Archives , will present Tracing Your New Jersey Revolutionary War Ancestor. The lecture, based on research strategies using the collections of the State Archives, will provide information on New Jersey soldiers and research case studies.
The program is free, but advance reservation is recommended since admission will be limited to 25 persons. To reserve a space, call (609) 633-8334.
The The Practitioners of Musick
Wednesday, December 26th Two shows at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm
John Burkhalter and the The Practitioners of Musick will perform 18th-century music. Their repertoire has its origins in the astonishing library of early published music that they have collected over the years. Because many of these works are unpublished in either facsimile or modern edition, and some exist only in an unique document, the Practitioners have presented many works for the first time since the eighteenth century.
Reservations recommended. Limited to 25 people. Admission is $20 per person. Discounts available on tickets to multiple Old Barracks events. Tickets may be purchased by calling (609) 396-1776.
Colonial Feast: A Most Unlikely Dinner
Wednesday, December 26th 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Come join George Washington and General Howe, the commander of British forces in America, for a fictitious dinner at the Trenton Marriott. What if Washington and Howe had dinner together? The sparks will fly. Imagine the conversation and the attacks, questions and accusations they would launch on each other’s strategies. The ultimate question: Why didn’t Howe eliminate Washington when he had the chance? Do you know the answer? A delightful evening with humorous asides and sharp and pithy arguments performed by the American Historical Theatre. While dinner is being served, Spiced Punch, a dynamic musical quartet accompanied by guitar, fife and penny whistle, will stroll through the dining hall singing Colonial-era songs of love, war and holiday cheer.
Reception for Colonial Feast
Reservations required. Standard admission is $35 per person. Premiere admission (including front tier seating and a private reception before the show) is $75 per person and goes to support all Patriots’ Week programming. Price includes tax and gratuity. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Tickets may be purchased online at www.patriotsweek.com or by calling 1-877-PAT-WEEK.
The premiere reception is sponsored by Mercer County Community College.
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