Trenton Downtown Association

Events

Event	Date/Time	Location
Myths about the Masons	Dec 31, 2007 1:45 pm	Masonic Temple Library, Lafayette and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
Wild stories about the masons: you’ve heard and seen them on television and in the movies, read them in books and found them on the Internet. James J. Ross, Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 15th Masonic District, and Joseph F. Seliga, Master Mason, will identify them, tell you how and where they started, and dispel the many myths about masons. Come and hear the real story, the unvarnished truth and be able judge for yourself when you next hear one.
The History of Tea	Dec 31, 2007 12:00 noon	Old Barracks, Front and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
Why was tea so important in the lives of 18th century people that fashion-conscious families posed for portraits with their tea sets? Did Great Britain lose her American Colonies over "the cup that cheers?" Find out in Stacy Roth's unusual costumed presentation of tea lore, history, songs, poetry, living history display and demonstration. Please bring a genteel tea cup, saucer, spoon and small plate to the program. A cup of tea and a sweet treat cap off the demonstration. Reservations suggested. Limited to 36 people. Admission is $15 per person. Tickets may be purchased online at www.patriotsweek.com or by calling 1-877-PAT-WEEK.
Trenton Battlefield Walking Tour	Dec 31, 2007 10:15 am	Meet at Café Ole, 126 S. Warren Street Trenton, NJ
This 10-block interpretive walk narrates the events of the two battles of Trenton. Broad and Warren Streets turn back to Queen and King Streets as Washington's shivering troops approach from two directions to strike the Hessian forces with shock and awe. On the tour you will • Walk in the footsteps of Stark's and Mercer's attacks • Site the guns at the twin artillery positions manned by Capt. Thomas Forrest and Lt. Alexander Hamilton (yep, that one!) • Walk the ground where Lt. James Monroe's squad launched their famous attack on the German guns • Survey the ground of the Hessian counterattack and the mortal wounding of Col. Johann Rall • Stand at the base of Washington's Mill Hill defense, where the general set his plan for his daring, nighttime flank maneuver. The tour will be led by Ralph Siegel of Trenton Battlefield Tours. Free event. Registration required. Limited to 100 people. Make reservations by calling 1-877-PAT-WEEK
"…and six and two-thirds dollars per month on account of pay"	Dec 31, 2007 9:00 am	Masonic Temple, Front and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
The founding fathers fought for freedom, the officers for honor; but what motivated the common soldier? Historical interpreter David Emerson from History on the Hoof, as recruiting sergeant David MacCaffrey, presents an enlisted man's-eye view of the American Revolution.
Quaker Dissonant Voices of the Revolution	Dec 30, 2007 2:15 pm	Quaker Meeting House, 142 East Hanover Street Trenton, NJ
Staunch pacifists, when the Revolutionary war broke out, the Quakers were refused to take sides in the conflict, and were beaten and berated. They did, however, help raise relief funds to help the wounded from the war. Come join Fred Millner of the Trenton Quaker Meeting to discuss the Quaker roles during the revolution
Princeton Battlefield Bus Tour:	Dec 30, 2007 3:00 pm	Disembark from the Marriott Hotel, 1 West Lafayette Street Trenton, NJ
Join Princeton Battlefield Society vice president Laura Crockett to tour the site of the endgame of the Ten Crucial Days, which gave General Washington his first victory against the British Regulars on the field, a day when the peaceful winter fields of the Princeton Battlefield were stained bloody with conflict. View the famous Mercer Oak, once stood in the middle of the battlefield, not far from the spot where General Hugh Mercer fell during the Battle of Princeton and the Clarke House, built by Thomas Clarke in 1772, which witnessed the fierce fighting and served as sanctuary for General Mercer, who died there nine days later. Reservations required. Tickets are $15 per person. Tickets may be purchased online at www.patriotsweek.com or by calling 1-877-PAT-WEEK
Quaker Tea and Peace Vigil	Dec 30, 2007 5:30 pm	Quaker Meeting House, 142 East Hanover Street Trenton, NJ
Come enjoy the hospitality of the Trenton Quaker Meeting House, including the Portingall cake of Guliema Penn, wife to Quaker William Penn of Pennsylvania. After the tea, join in a Quaker-style peace vigil, the kind Quakers held during the Revolutionary War and every war thereafter.
Colonial Church.	Dec 30, 2007 10:00 am	First Presbyterian Church, 120 East State Street Trenton, NJ
Experience a colonial era worship service. Pastor John Allen of the historic First Presbyterian Church will portray Elihu Spencer, who was pastor of the Church before the American Revolution. Pastor Spencer will preach a (shortened) sermon from the period and lead the congregation in worship as was done in colonial times.
The Framing of the Constitution	Dec 30, 2007 1:00 pm	Masonic Temple, Front and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
A discussion of the framing of the Constitution - primarily the Constitutional Convention of 1787: Who were the Framers were and what were their motives? What was the so-called original intent of the Framers. Dr. Harvey R. Kornberg, professor of Political Science at Rider University, will explore these questions.
The Arrival of Colonel Hand	Dec 29, 2007 1:00 pm	The Battle Monument Trenton, NJ
Be on hand to cheer the arrival of Colonel Edward Hand and his men, whose stalling tactics helped insure Washington’s victory in Trenton. Colonel Hand and the 1st Pennsylvania Riflemen will be arriving in Trenton for the end of their historical march of the patriot Colonel Hand.
Coffee, Chocolate, Tea, Spices, and Many Other Items too Tedious to Mention; 18c Imports into Philadelphia	Dec 29, 2007 1:15 pm	Masonic Temple, Front and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
For over 25 years Deborah Peterson of Deborah Peterson’s Pantry has been a practicing hearth cook. As a culinary historian she spent most of her time searching for those hard-to-find ingredients to replicate the old time receipts (what we call recipes today) from our English colonial era. Come and learn from the animated historian about coffee, chocolate, imported and patriotic teas, spices, sugar, salts, peppers, food colorants, isinglass, hartshorn, gum dragon and Arabic, pearlash, sweet oils, pickles, sweetmeats, syrups, jellies, rose and orange-flower waters and many, many other items to tedious to mention here that were part of our nation’s imported foods.
Second Battle of Trenton	Dec 29, 2007 3:00 pm	Reenactment begins at the First Presbyterian Church, 120 East State Street Trenton, NJ
After its commencement on East State Street, Mill Hill Park is the scene of much of the action for the Old Barracks-orchestrated reenactment of the Second Battle of Trenton. Three times British General Charles Cornwallis ordered his men to take control of the Assunpink Creek Bridge, and three times they failed. Soon after, the American troops escaped by backroads toward Princeton. Years later, Cornwallis conceded that he lost the war when Washington gave him the slip in Trenton.
First Battle of Trenton	Dec 29, 2007 11:00 am	Reenactment begins at the Battle Monument Trenton, NJ
Follow the action from the symbolic first cannon shot fired at the current site of the Battle Monument, down Warren Street to a final skirmish in Mill Hill Park. In just a few hours on the day after Christmas, the rebel forces—exhausted, dressed in rags, ill from the cold and lack of sleep and decent food—had accomplished the impossible by inflicting a crippling blow to the world’s greatest army. If you arrive early, head to the Old Barracks as troops muster and prepare for battle.
The Soldiers of Washington’s Army at Trenton	Dec 29, 2007 9:45 am	Masonic Temple, Front and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
Author and educator Mike Cecere of the 7th Virginia Regiment will talk about the American army on the eve of the Battle of Trenton. Mr. Cecere, the author of five books on the Revolutionary War, will identify the American units that participated in the assault on Trenton and describe their condition and what they endured in the months leading up to this crucial attack.
How the Battle of Trenton Was Won Puppet Show	Dec 29, 2007 12:30 pm	The paved map of Trenton behind 20 West State Street (at the intersection of East Hanover Street and Warren Street) Trenton, NJ
A “mini” historical look at an amazing piece of our history presented with marionettes & rod puppets (and lots of help from the audience). Show includes live music, large puppets & props, and plenty of “revolting” action, courtesy of Tucker’s Tales. Ages 5 and up.
Veterans’ and Reenactors’ Lunch	Dec 29, 2007 12 noon	Masonic Temple, Front and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
The Masons of the 15th Masonic District of New Jersey and Church & Dwight Co. welcome New Jersey veterans, current military service personnel and reenactors for an honorary luncheon at the stately Masonic Temple. Call 1-877-PAT-WEEK for details.
The Roles of Blacks in the American Revolution	Dec 28, 2007 3:30 pm	Masonic Temple Library, Front and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
Join interpreters Fred Minus and Algernon Ward as they explore the roles of blacks in the American Revolution, including the 40 Marbleheaders who crossed the Delaware with George Washington and the 8 local blacks from the Trenton area who fought in the battles of Trenton.
The Colonial Ball	Dec 28, 2007 8:00 pm	Masonic Temple, Front and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
Step back in time and learn 18th century dancing with the Germantown Country Dancers in the stately Masonic Temple. The ball will feature dance instruction, a traditional opening dance, period music, and dancing with callers. Both members of the general public and reenactors in period dress will attend this lantern-lit, gala affair. Period garb, or formalwear, is encouraged, but not required. The Patriots’ Week 2006 Fan Favorite Event!
The Public Reading of The Declaration of Independence	Dec 28, 2007 9:00 am	The Declaration Mural, 23 S. Warren Street Trenton, NJ
This reading will take place at the large outdoor mural depicting the first public reading of the Declaration which took place in Trenton and will be read by Thomas Jefferson from the acclaimed American Historical Theatre.
The Washington-Rochambeau Route	Dec 28, 2007 1:45 pm	Masonic Temple Library, Front and Barrack Streets Trenton, NJ
The National Park Service recently completed the Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Study as authorized by Congress and funded by the New Jersey Historic Trust. Dr. Robert Selig participated in this assessment as a historian and will discuss the historical importance of the route.