Trenton’s Patriots 2024 returns with historic battle reenactments, a Colonial Ball, lectures, music, tours and family activities. Here’s what’s planned!

Schedule of Events:

NJ State House Tours
10 am, 11 am, 1 pm & 2 pm FREE
145 W. State St.
Visit the home of the New Jersey State Legislature. Join a guided tour of the General Assembly and Senate chambers and discover the storied history of New Jersey’s State House. Advanced reservations required. Call 609-847-3150.

Petty’s Run Tour
11 am FREE
meet at Petty’s Run site to the left of the NJ State House campus, 145 W. State St.
Archeologist Richard Hunter leads a tour of the Petty’s Run Archaeological Site. Dr. Hunter’s team headed up the dig and research that led to preserving the site as an “open classroom” that reveals remains of more than 300 years of human activity on this spot - including Benjamin Yard’s 1745 steel furnace.   Presented by Hunter Research, Inc.

Colonial Taverns of NJ: Libations, Liberty & Revolution
with Michael C. Gabriele
12 - 1 pm   FREE
Virtual Author Talk (New Jersey State Library)
Colonial taverns in N.J. formed a social network for Patriots and Loyalists alike during the Revolution. Join author Michael C. Gabriele as he explores these pubs and breweries, sharing stories about some of the luminaries whose breweries, pubs and taverns were often the main stage for the historic drama unfolding. 

Musket-firing Demonstrations
12 pm & 2 pm [included with Old Barracks admission fee]
Old Barracks Museum
101 Barrack St.
Join soldiers of the NJ Line of the Continental Army as they drill and fire their muskets on the Parade Ground of the Old Barracks Museum.

The Stars of 1776
12 pm, 1 pm*, 2 pm, and 3 pm
[buy Planetarium tickets at the State Museum]
New Jersey State Museum Planetarium
205 W. State St.
Explore the night sky as it would have been seen in 1776 by George Washington and his troops, then stay for special Planetarium shows. 12:00 PM - Worlds Beyond Earth; 1:00 PM (*does not include 1776 program) - One World, One Sky; 2:00 PM - Dinosaurs of Antarctica; 3:00 PM - Big Astronomy.

Hidden History Tour
1 pm  FREE
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
140 N. Warren St.
Stop in for a tour and learn how this site was pivotal to the Battle of Trenton. Find out what happened to the cannons under the poplars, discover catacombs under the church and visit the grave of David Brearley, founder of the Electoral College and signer of the Constitution.

Revolutionary Tea
2 - 3 pm   FREE
Trenton Free Public Library
120 Academy Street
Certified tea specialists Deborah and Michael Raab offer a special presentation on some of the history and rituals connected to the subject of ‘revolutionary tea parties,’ and include a tea tasting!

Make A Quill Pen & Write like John Hancock (children’s workshop)
2:30 pm   FREE
St Michael’s Episcopal Church
140 N. Warren St.
Create your own piece of history! Fashion a quill pen and see if you can sign your name as well as John Hancock! Everyone gets a feather for their cap.

Patriots’ Scrabble
6pm   FREE
Classics Books & Gifts
4 West Lafayette St.
Scrabble for all skill levels. Bonus points for playing “patriot,” “republic,” “declaration” or “constitution.” Penalties for playing “loyalist,” “monarchy,” “colonial” or “empire.”

Colonial Ball
7 pm - 10 pm [advance tickets required]
Trenton Masonic Temple
100 Barrack St.
Mingle with the soldiers of the Battle of Trenton and learn their favorite dance steps while enjoying live music from the Colonial era! Period dress is neither discouraged nor required.