Patriots Week
December 26 - 31, 2019
The Old Barracks Museum is open for tours December 26-28 & 30-31 from 10 AM - 5 PM.
The Museum is closed on Sunday, December 29.
The Museum is closed on Sunday, December 29.
Patriots Week is a celebration of Trenton's revolutionary role in America's history!
The full schedule will be available on www.patriotsweek.com
Below are the events hosted by the Old Barracks Museum
The full schedule will be available on www.patriotsweek.com
Below are the events hosted by the Old Barracks Museum
Thursday, December 26
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
12 PM: Musket Demonstration
Soldiers of the NJ Line of the Continental Army will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum
1 PM: "The British Army in North America 1768-1783"
A presentation by Asher Lurie of the Old Barracks Museum describing the true story of the British soldiers and officers sent to defend and maintain the thirteen American Colonies.
2 PM: Musket Demonstration
Friday, December 27
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
12 PM: Musket Demonstration
Soldiers of the NJ Line of the Continental Army will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum
1 PM: "‘They Were Good Soldiers’: African–Americans Serving in the Continental Army, 1775-1783"
The role of African-Americans, most free but some enslaved, in the regiments of the Continental Army is not well-known; neither is the fact that relatively large numbers served in southern regiments and that the greatest number served alongside their white comrades in integrated units. John Rees will discuss black soldiers’ acceptance, service, and experiences during and after the War for American Independence, focusing on those who served in Continental regiments. African American women with the army will also be featured, as will the only known wartime letter written by a black Revolutionary soldier.
2 PM: Musket Demonstration
7 PM: Colonial Ball at the Masonic Temple across the street from the Old Barracks Museum
The Colonial Ball is your chance to mingle with the soldiers of the Battle of Trenton and learn their favorite dance steps! You'll be whisked away into the past as you learn the dance steps from Sue Dupre while John Burkhalter and Ridley and Anne Enslow perform music. Refreshments will be served. Advanced tickets required.
Saturday, December 28
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
Admission - $5 per person with unlimited reentry throughout the day; free for children 5 and under and Active Duty Military
11 AM: First Battle of Trenton Reenactment at the Battle of Trenton Monument
Meet at the Old Barracks Museum to see the troops rally before they march to the Battle of Trenton Monument at the top of Warren and Broad Streets. Experience the excitement of the Battle of Trenton live! Following the all-night crossing and nine-mile march from McKonkey’s Ferry with a sleet storm at their backs, Washington’s little army of 2,400 men and 18 cannons arrived in Trenton around 8 AM on the morning of December 26th, 1776. Generals Washington and Greene surrounded the northern part of town while General Sullivan struck the town along what is now West State Street, cutting off escape to the south over the Assunpink Creek. After a running street fight lasting little more than an hour, Hessian Colonel Rall and more than 90 of his men were dead and 900 of his 1,500-man garrison surrendered to Washington. The morning reenactment represents the fighting along King St. (today’s Warren St.) and the surrender of part of the Hessian garrison near today’s Mill Hill Park. This event is free to the public. Follow troops back to the Old Barracks Museum for "The Spoils of Victory" and a musket demonstration.
Following the First Battle Reenactment: "The Spoils of Victory" Follow the victorious Continental soldiers back to the Old Barracks Museum after the Battle to see them strip equipment, gear and souvenirs from captured Hessian soldiers, before crossing the Delaware back to Pennsylvania. Included in $5 admission.
12 PM: Puppet Show: The Trouble with Trenton at Warren Street Plaza
A mini historical look at some amazing American history presented with marionettes and rod puppets - and lots of help from the audience! The show includes live music, large puppets and props, and plenty of "revolting" action. Free.
1:30 PM: Musket Demonstration
Drilling and musket firing take place on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum in this informative and exciting demonstration. Included in $5 admission.
2 PM: "Puppet Show: The Trouble with Trenton at Warren Street Plaza"
2:15 PM: "My Brave Fellows"
With enlistments about to end, Washington's officers compel the Soldiers of the Continental Army to stay on six more weeks beyond the end of their enlistments.
3 PM: Second Battle of Trenton Reenactment at Mill Hill Park
Having abandoned Trenton shortly after the battle on December 26, Washington re-crossed the Delaware River with a much larger army later in the week upon learning the British had not re-occupied Trenton. On the morning of January 2, 1777, he dispatched a small brigade up what is now Rt. 206 to reconnoiter toward Princeton. They were met by a very strong column of British, Hessians, and Highlanders under General Cornwallis and driven back along a bitterly contested, afternoon-long retreat into Trenton proper. The Second Battle of Trenton (or the Battle of the Assunpink) is reenacted in Mill Hill Park at 3 PM – witness the action live! Free.
Sunday, December 29
Closed
Monday, December 30
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
12 PM: Musket Demonstration
Soldiers of the NJ Line of the Continental Army will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum
1 PM: "Blacks at the Old Barracks"
Algernon Ward Jr. of Trenton will provide a presentation on the topic of "Blacks at The Old Barracks" which will explore the roles of African Americans in the operation of The Old Barracks as a home for soldiers and a military hospital.
2 PM: Musket Demonstration
Tuesday, December 31
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
12 PM: Musket Demonstration
Soldiers of the NJ Line of the Continental Army will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum
1 PM: "John Honeyman, Washington’s Spy: Unsung Hero or Urban Legend?"
The story of John Honeyman, the Griggstown, New Jersey butcher and cattle dealer who, according to legend, became a spy for General George Washington in the months leading up to the game-changing victory in the First Battle of Trenton, has intrigued and befuddled historians for more than one hundred years. This presentation will lay out the genesis of the story, explore the findings on each side of the Honeyman mystery, and ultimately invite attendees to join in the search for more primary evidence that can support or debunk the legend of Washington’s spy at Trenton.
2 PM: Musket Demonstration
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
12 PM: Musket Demonstration
Soldiers of the NJ Line of the Continental Army will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum
1 PM: "The British Army in North America 1768-1783"
A presentation by Asher Lurie of the Old Barracks Museum describing the true story of the British soldiers and officers sent to defend and maintain the thirteen American Colonies.
2 PM: Musket Demonstration
Friday, December 27
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
12 PM: Musket Demonstration
Soldiers of the NJ Line of the Continental Army will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum
1 PM: "‘They Were Good Soldiers’: African–Americans Serving in the Continental Army, 1775-1783"
The role of African-Americans, most free but some enslaved, in the regiments of the Continental Army is not well-known; neither is the fact that relatively large numbers served in southern regiments and that the greatest number served alongside their white comrades in integrated units. John Rees will discuss black soldiers’ acceptance, service, and experiences during and after the War for American Independence, focusing on those who served in Continental regiments. African American women with the army will also be featured, as will the only known wartime letter written by a black Revolutionary soldier.
2 PM: Musket Demonstration
7 PM: Colonial Ball at the Masonic Temple across the street from the Old Barracks Museum
The Colonial Ball is your chance to mingle with the soldiers of the Battle of Trenton and learn their favorite dance steps! You'll be whisked away into the past as you learn the dance steps from Sue Dupre while John Burkhalter and Ridley and Anne Enslow perform music. Refreshments will be served. Advanced tickets required.
Saturday, December 28
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
Admission - $5 per person with unlimited reentry throughout the day; free for children 5 and under and Active Duty Military
11 AM: First Battle of Trenton Reenactment at the Battle of Trenton Monument
Meet at the Old Barracks Museum to see the troops rally before they march to the Battle of Trenton Monument at the top of Warren and Broad Streets. Experience the excitement of the Battle of Trenton live! Following the all-night crossing and nine-mile march from McKonkey’s Ferry with a sleet storm at their backs, Washington’s little army of 2,400 men and 18 cannons arrived in Trenton around 8 AM on the morning of December 26th, 1776. Generals Washington and Greene surrounded the northern part of town while General Sullivan struck the town along what is now West State Street, cutting off escape to the south over the Assunpink Creek. After a running street fight lasting little more than an hour, Hessian Colonel Rall and more than 90 of his men were dead and 900 of his 1,500-man garrison surrendered to Washington. The morning reenactment represents the fighting along King St. (today’s Warren St.) and the surrender of part of the Hessian garrison near today’s Mill Hill Park. This event is free to the public. Follow troops back to the Old Barracks Museum for "The Spoils of Victory" and a musket demonstration.
Following the First Battle Reenactment: "The Spoils of Victory" Follow the victorious Continental soldiers back to the Old Barracks Museum after the Battle to see them strip equipment, gear and souvenirs from captured Hessian soldiers, before crossing the Delaware back to Pennsylvania. Included in $5 admission.
12 PM: Puppet Show: The Trouble with Trenton at Warren Street Plaza
A mini historical look at some amazing American history presented with marionettes and rod puppets - and lots of help from the audience! The show includes live music, large puppets and props, and plenty of "revolting" action. Free.
1:30 PM: Musket Demonstration
Drilling and musket firing take place on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum in this informative and exciting demonstration. Included in $5 admission.
2 PM: "Puppet Show: The Trouble with Trenton at Warren Street Plaza"
2:15 PM: "My Brave Fellows"
With enlistments about to end, Washington's officers compel the Soldiers of the Continental Army to stay on six more weeks beyond the end of their enlistments.
3 PM: Second Battle of Trenton Reenactment at Mill Hill Park
Having abandoned Trenton shortly after the battle on December 26, Washington re-crossed the Delaware River with a much larger army later in the week upon learning the British had not re-occupied Trenton. On the morning of January 2, 1777, he dispatched a small brigade up what is now Rt. 206 to reconnoiter toward Princeton. They were met by a very strong column of British, Hessians, and Highlanders under General Cornwallis and driven back along a bitterly contested, afternoon-long retreat into Trenton proper. The Second Battle of Trenton (or the Battle of the Assunpink) is reenacted in Mill Hill Park at 3 PM – witness the action live! Free.
Sunday, December 29
Closed
Monday, December 30
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
12 PM: Musket Demonstration
Soldiers of the NJ Line of the Continental Army will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum
1 PM: "Blacks at the Old Barracks"
Algernon Ward Jr. of Trenton will provide a presentation on the topic of "Blacks at The Old Barracks" which will explore the roles of African Americans in the operation of The Old Barracks as a home for soldiers and a military hospital.
2 PM: Musket Demonstration
Tuesday, December 31
Museum open 10 AM - 5 PM
12 PM: Musket Demonstration
Soldiers of the NJ Line of the Continental Army will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum
1 PM: "John Honeyman, Washington’s Spy: Unsung Hero or Urban Legend?"
The story of John Honeyman, the Griggstown, New Jersey butcher and cattle dealer who, according to legend, became a spy for General George Washington in the months leading up to the game-changing victory in the First Battle of Trenton, has intrigued and befuddled historians for more than one hundred years. This presentation will lay out the genesis of the story, explore the findings on each side of the Honeyman mystery, and ultimately invite attendees to join in the search for more primary evidence that can support or debunk the legend of Washington’s spy at Trenton.
2 PM: Musket Demonstration