Events/Exhibits
Old Barracks Museum Patriots' Week Events - December 26th thru 31st
Wednesday, December 26th
The Public Reading of "The American Crisis" and Spiced Punch
10:30am to 11:00am - Old Barracks Courtyard
"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 for Patriots' Week. Spiced Punch is a dynamic musical quartet accompanied by guitar, fife and penny whistle, sings Colonial-era songs of love, war and holiday cheer on the Barracks Courtyard. No admission.
Colonial Songs, Singing Games and Dances
1:45pm to 2:45pm - Old Barracks Museum
History on the Hoof's, Stacy Roth, and music therapist/concert trumpeter, Flora Newberry, present their favorite rhymes, riddles, rounds, ditties and dance tunes from 17th and 18th centuries. Fun for kids and adults. Audience participation. No admission.
The Practitioners of Musick
6:00pm and 8:00pm Old Barracks Museum
John Burkehalter and 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 Because many of these works are unpublished either in facsimile or modern edition, and some exist only in a unique document, the Practitioners have presented many works for the first time since the eighteenth century. Reservations required. Admission for Old Barracks Members is $10/person. Non-members admission is $20/person. Reserve at (609)396-1776.
Foor more information about Patriots' Week, visit www.patriotsweek.com.
Thursday, December 27th
"Ah, Fatal Night" The Last Hours of George Washington
4:00pm to 5:00pm Old Barracks Museum
This program will chronicle the fatal illness and death of George Washington using living history vignettes, medical demonstrations and lectures. Be a witness to that "Fatal Night" as three of Virginia's finest doctors are called to Mt. Vernon to diagnose the nature of Washington's illness. Watch as the medical drama unfolds and learn about the medicines, instruments and therapies that they employed in a heroic, yet futile effort to save his life. Admission for Old Barracks Members is $5/person. Non-members admission is $10/person. Reservations recommended. Reserve at (609)396-1776.
The Music of Ben Franklin: Glass Armonica
6:00 pm and 8:00 pm - Old Barracks Museum
Ben Franklin, after hearing a concert given on wine glasses in England, invented his own instrument called the armonica, a series of glass bowls on a spindle, rotated by a fly wheel and foot pedal. Played by Marie Antoinette, used by Dr. Mesmer to deepen a hypnotic trance and composed for by Mozart and Beethoven, the armonica suddenly lost its popularity in the mid-19th century when people began to believe that it drove performers mad and evoked spirits of the dead because of its eerie sound. Enjoy a rare performance in an intimate setting with nationally acclaimed armonica virtuoso, Cecilia Brauer, on the haunting and forgotten instrument. Reservations recommended. Wine and Cheese Refreshments served. Admission is $30/person. Reserve at (609)396-1776.
Friday, December 28th
Colonial Tea Time for Little Grown Ups
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm - Old Barracks Museum
In the days of George Washington and Betsy Ross, tea from far away China was a special beverage with special customs and manners. Adults loved tea – and so did boys and girls. They learned how to serve it and host their own parties! Come feel like a grown up for an hour and join Revolutionary Tea hostess Stacy Roth from History on the Hoof for a cup of tea. Bring your favorite teacup and saucer, spoon, and small palate. Oh yes, and a favorite adult. For ages 7 and up. Reservations required. Adult required. Admission is $15/person. Parents may observe for free or participate with the purchase of a ticket. Tickets purchased online at www.patriotsweek.com of calling 1-877-PAT-WEEK.
Saturday, December 29th
Troops Muster and Prepare for Battle
10:00 am – 11:00 am - Old Barracks Museum
Continental and British forces prepare for the 1st Battle of Trenton. Observe the troops receive their battling orders and march out to fight. Troops will return to the Barracks between battles and be dismissed at 4:00. Admission is free for Old Barracks Museum Association members.
First Battle of Trenton
11:00 am to noon. Beginning at the Battle Monument.
Second Battle of Trenton, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Battling staged at Mill Hill Park.
"How the Battle of Trenton Was Won" Puppet Show
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Behind 20 West State Street on the paved map of Trenton
A "mini" historical look at an amazing piece of our history presented with marionettes and rod puppets. (an Old Barracks creation!) Audience participation. Show includes live music, large puppets and props. Ages 5 and up. No admission.
Monday, December 31st
The History of Tea
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - Old Barracks Museum
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 for tea and a sweet treat. Admission is $15/person. Reservations suggested. Tickets can be purchased online at www.patriotsweek.com or calling 1-877-PAT-WEEK.
The Blasted Herb: The Substitutes for Tea
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm - Old Barracks Museum
Stacy Roth's unusual costumed presentation of tea substitute lore, history, songs, poetry, living history display and demonstration. Please bring a cup, saucer, spoon and a small plate to sample some of the substitute beverage. Admission is $15/person. Reservations suggested. Tickets can be purchased online at www.patriotsweek.com or calling 1-877-PAT-WEEK.
"Remarkable for His Industry: William Richard's Trade & Manufactory in Revolutionary Trenton"
Daily - 10:00 to 5:00 Exhibit at the Old Barracks
This exhibit uses the results of nearby archeological digs in 2000 as a window into the commercial life of Revolutionary Trenton, during mid-1760 to the mid-1780 through the businesses of entrepreneur William Richards. Old Barracks Members are free. Non-members admission is $8/adult and $6/child.
Old Barracks Association Members Event Discounts
Reserve the Practitioners of Musick, Armonica & the Last Hours of George Washington for $40/person.
Non-members Event Discounts Reserve the Practitioners of Musick, Armonica & the Last Hours of George Washington for $50/person.
