PRINCETON NJ Announcement

Princeton 250th Celebration Events

July 13, 2025

Nestled in the heart of American history and innovation, Princeton is proudly celebrating its 250th anniversary—a remarkable milestone for a town that has long stood at the crossroads of tradition, intellect, and community spirit. This year’s celebration is a vibrant tribute to Princeton’s rich past and dynamic present, featuring a series of exciting events that bring together residents, visitors, and alumni alike. From historical reenactments and art exhibitions to lively parades and community festivals, Princeton 250 is more than a commemoration—it’s a joyful reflection of the town’s enduring legacy and its bright future ahead. 

We will be updating this list all year long so please check back. Also, all events can be found on our Events Calendar.  Feel free to scroll to the bottom of the page for a list of resources regarding local historical references.

 

February 11, 2026 - 120 Academy Street, Trenton. www.trentonlib.org. 4-5pm

Join renowned educator and historic interpreter Leslie Bramlett in full period dress for a presentation on colonial women of color in Washington's household.

 

February 17, 2026 - New Jersey in the Revolutionary War, Lawrence Branch

This presentation covers the period 1763 to 1789 (from the end of the French and Indian War to the establishment of the US Constitution). It explores the critical role our state (and particularly central Jersey) played in our nation's founding: from the Ten Crucial Days to the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the ratification of the Constitution. Co-sponsored with the Historical Society of West Windsor. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

 

February 19 - 21, 2026 - Morven Museum & Garden

Men W/O Shoes: A Student-Led Tribute to Forgotten Heroes February 19–21, 2026 At least fourteen Black men fought alongside General George Washington to secure a crucial victory in the Battle of Princeton. Students from Foundation Academies in Trenton have been engaged in research to uncover the identities of these men. The project, which grew from a collaboration with the Princeton Battlefield Society, culminates at Morven with a striking art installation of student-created works that reflect the resilience, sacrifice, and legacy of Black soldiers in war. https://www.morven.org/250#calendar

 

February 20, 2026 -  Oh Freedom! Black History Celebration, 6:30pm

Oh Freedom! was created by New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites to introduce visitors to the Black soldiers of the American Revolution. These soldiers played important roles on both sides of the Revolution. Their goal is to share this information with everyone. Join us Friday, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m. at Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, for an informative program and a look at the powerful exhibit. Free.

Click here for more information

 

February 21, 2026 - Lecture: "Nobody Men: Neutrality, Loyalties, and Family in the American Revolution" - 1:30-3pm

WCHP is pleased to partner with the David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society to present a lecture by historian Travis Glasson on his new book, Nobody Men: Neutrality, Loyalties, and Family in the American Revolution (Yale University Press, 2025). While the American Revolution is often framed as a conflict between Patriots and Loyalists, nearly one-third of the colonial population remained neutral. In this lecture, Glasson examines the experiences of the Cruger family, a transatlantic merchant family who sought survival and stability over political allegiance. Their story illuminates the difficult choices faced by those who lived “in the middle” of a violent civil war and offers new insight into how revolutionary societies were shaped.

Click here for more information

 

February 25, 2026 - David Center for the American Revolution Seminar - Memoir of Elizabeth Munro Fisher: A Loyalist Mother, 3-4pm

The third 2025-2026 David Center for the American Revolution Seminar will take place February 25th 2025 at 3:00 p.m. ET on Zoom. The speaker will be Emilee N.K. Robbins. Emilee is a PhD Candidate in the department of History at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro studying the lives of loyalist and émigré women during the Age of Atlantic Revolutions. She has presented her research at several conferences including the Society of Historians of Early American Republic Annual Conference, The Consortium of the Revolutionary Era, and will present at American Historical Association Meeting in 2026.

Click here for more information

 

March 8, 2026 - Lecture: Pre-Revolutionary Land Fraud and Corruption in Hopewell Valley - 2pm.

This lecture, “Pre-Revolutionary Land Fraud and Corruption in Hopewell Valley” covers Colonel Daniel Coxe’s land speculation which disenfranchised legal land deeds in today’s Ewing, Lawrence, and Hopewell communities from 1703 to 1760. His royal authority forced settlers to abandon or repurchase their properties. This talk is being given by public historian Richard M. Durham, who serves as an Advisor with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.

This venue is fully accessible located in classroom #113 in the Education Building of The College of New Jersey.

Click here for more information

 

March 11, 2026 -

Heritage Lecture: Lydia Darragh, A Heroine of the American Revolution, 7:30pm.

Join Delaware River Greenway Partnership on March 11 at 7:30 PM via Zoom as Robert N. Fanelli presents “Lydia Darragh, A Heroine of the American Revolution.” Who is Lydia Darragh? She is famed for eavesdropping on British General William Howe’s staff as they planned a surprise attack, then sneaking through the lines to give warning to American soldiers. Her actions are said to have saved George Washington’s army from a devastating ambush as it lay starving and freezing on the barren hills of Whitemarsh at the end of 1777. But did the secret she brought to the Patriots really prevent their defeat? Why would a professed pacifist choose to risk her life by intervening in military affairs? Who was the mysterious intelligence officer she met between the lines? Was her story even true?

Free Registration: https://shorturl.at/0dKuk

 

April 15 - July 12, 2026 - 

“Nursery of Rebellion”: Princeton and the American Revolution - Princeton University Library 

Drawing on an array of PUL’s manuscript and rare book collections, this exhibition will commemorate the 250th anniversaries of U.S. independence and the Battle of Princeton, and showcase Princeton’s archival treasures from the revolutionary era alongside documents and artifacts that reveal local experiences of the American Revolution on campus and in the surrounding communities. Exploring the Revolution across lines of gender, class, race, allegiance, and status, the exhibition will offer visitors a range of perspectives on the Revolution’s ideals and contradictions, its anxiety and violence, and its achievements and tragedies. More Info/Hours

 

June 19 - 21, 2026 - Battle of Monmouth Reenactment

Each year the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield co-sponsors, with the State of New Jersey, an annual reenactment of the battle. The event commemorates the anniversary of the longest, hottest battle of the Revolution, fought on June 28, 1778. Hundreds of troops encamp at the park and recreate scenarios of the battle over the weekend. There are also numerous presentations and lectures, tours of the camps, and sutler area open to the public. A suggested donation of $10.00 per car is requested to help cover the cost of the event. A food vendor will be on site and handicapped parking is available. DETAILS

 

HISTORY LINKS WE LIKE

 

David Center for the American Revolution - https://www.amphilsoc.org/david-center-american-revolution

Historic Germantown - https://historicgermantownpa.org/2026-events-and-experiences/

Historical Society of Princeton - https://princetonhistory.org/

Mercer 250 - https://250.mercercountynj.gov/

Old Barracks Museum - https://revolutionarynj.org/sites/old-barracks/

Princeton Battlefield Society - https://pbs1777.org/

Princeton Battlefield State Park - https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/princetonbattlefieldstatepark.html

Revolution NJ - https://www.revnj.org/

Rockingham Historic Site - https://www.rockingham.net/

Trent House Museum - https://www.williamtrenthouse.org/

Washington Crossing Historic Park - https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/