Happy Birthday, America! Join in Celebration all Summer Long!

2026. A year of celebrations to honor the 250^th anniversary of America. Since January, moments have been honored and festivities planned at a national level and will continue through the end of the year. There are also statewide initiatives to mark the special times. Mercer County, and more specifically, Princeton, were directly involved in the efforts that led to the country’s creation. As such, there are many events and happenings that are taking place on the land where the history occurred, or with relatives of those that were involved. Mercer County has a website to share the history, maps and activities one can experience. Princeton Online has also taken the time to curate many of the local celebration events, where you can find things to experience from now through the end of the year. The Semiquincentennial of America is being marked in many special ways – and you can take advantage of one or all of them.

LECTURES AND PROGRAMS

“The 250^th anniversary of a nation that almost died in late 1776 is a marvelous event to celebrate, especially here. They declared independence in Philadelphia. They saved independence in Princeton in the early morning of a freezing cold Friday on January 3, 1777. The extraordinary feats of ordinary men – marching all night, no sleep, no food, no warm clothing – that day in Princeton to save the Cause was heroic and remarkable. Without those men, the war would have been ended, independence would have been lost and we’d be singing ‘God Save the King’.”

– Mark Herr, Member of Princeton Battlefield Society Board of Trustees

For the more nostalgic or academic among us, there are many ways to learn about specific moments of the revolution, the people that lived here then, and why they did what they did…

Princeton Battlefield, one of the most famous historic sites in town, is hosting Revolutionary Sundays this summer on June 21, July 12 and 26, and August 16. You can register online for a Battle of Princeton Introduction, Special Presentations about the community and people of revolutionary times with Larry Kidder (author of this month’s article Princeton and Independence, July 1776), a historical walking tour of troop movements, In Their Footsteps, and a look at the military technology that was used, through Black Powder, White Smoke.

Head over to Princeton University, June 30^th at 7pm, and hear Tyrants and Rogues: Understanding the Declaration of Independence, part of the Revolution Up Close lecture series. Historian Robert G. Parkinson delves into the 27 pages of the Declaration of Independence’s grievances, beyond its most popular and famous preamble.

Take part in the Grand Reopening of the Old Barracks Museum on July 4^th, with a special recreation of George Washington’s Inaugural Flower Arch. Visitors are invited to add a personalized wood flower of their own and preview three new exhibits about American history. Official opening begins at 10am.

PERFORMATIVE CELEBRATIONS

“Trenton is not only our state capital, the battle bearing its name changed the course of history. We’re celebrating 250 years of the Great America Experiment as well as the many amazing people and groups who are working to shape Trenton’s next chapter.  It’s an exciting time and a great time to come to Trenton!”

-Mike McCormick, Kiwanis Club of Trenton, organizer of the July 8^th Proclamation readings, 4^th of July parade and festival, and more at Trenton Heritage Week.

While none of the revolutionary soldiers and diplomats are themselves around to show you the battle or share their stories, we are lucky that many have chosen to carry on and present what happened in 1776. Through multiple theatrical displays, you can be taken back in time…

The Crossing: A Revolutionary New Musical, co-produced with TenCrucialDays.org and Hopewell Valley Stage, reimagines Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. There are two preview workshop performances on June 20^th at the new theatre Hopewell Valley Stage, at the Passage Theater in Trenton on July 2^nd and 3^rd, and again in Trenton at the William Trent House August 29^th, with more leading up to its full Patriots Theatre debut in December. The musical is told through the numerous voices of the Continental Army.

Revolutionary NJ Patriots – Alive in Ewing, will feature Larry Kidder (author of this month’s article Princeton and Independence, July 1776) and Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society Advisor Helen Kull. Along with costumed re-enactors, they will lead tours while sharing the stories of the Revolutionary figures that are buried at Ewing Church Cemetery, 101 Scotch Road in Ewing. Available June 21^st and July 12^th at 2, 3 and 4pm.

Thomas Jefferson Live offers an impersonation of the Founding Father. John Stewart will take you back in time as he dresses and speaks on “How a Lad from Rural Virginia Came to Write the Declaration of Independence.” The entertaining reenactment will include audience questions on June 28^th at 1pm at Titusville Presbyterian Church.

Remember George Washington’s March to Trenton will welcome a reenactor to Birmingham Park (corner of Bear Tavern Road and W. Upper Ferry Road in Ewing), the very spot where the army split to attack the Hessians. The story will recollect the night some soldiers headed down Sullivan’s Way while others went to Upper Ferry Road, a pivotal moment in the turning point of the revolution. The West Trenton Garden Club welcomes you July 3^rd at 12pm.  

250^th Annual Proclamation of the Declaration of Independence, part of Trenton Heritage Week, will enable you to stand where history happened as you watch a reenactment of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Trenton. July 8^th will kick off with the official reading (at 23 South Warren Street), followed by History Fest250 on Warren Street with more historical activities, demonstrations and exhibits throughout downtown.

ACTIVITIES OF CELEBRATION

“As we approach this extraordinary anniversary, Morven is proud to stand where American independence began—and to share these stories with new generations. We’ve been preparing to make the 250th unforgettable, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors of all ages from around the world to Morven.”

-Rhonda DiMascio, Executive Director, Morven.

Watching and learning is important, but there is also a time for fun…

Music will be played and fireworks erupt July 1^st beginning at 5:30pm at Hamilton Township’s Annual Independence Day Fireworks and Concert. The community is invited to celebrate the 250^th anniversary at Veterans Park South Entrance (2206 Kuser Road) with live entertainment and food, with a special fireworks display starting at 9:30pm.

A signer of the Declaration of Independence lived at Morven and the Battle of Princeton occurred at Princeton Battlefield State Park, two perfect sites to celebrate the semiquincentennial! From 12-3pm, the free Fourth of July Festival will offer activities at both locations, including garden tours, a chance to sign the Declaration of Independence, learn to drill in the Continental Army, cooking demonstrations, an opportunity to explore the exhibit Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey and more.

Get in on the action at the end of the summer, on Sunday September 6^th, as you put on your running shoes and take part in the Princeton Battlefield 5k. It is one of many historic-themed 5Ks around the state organized by RevolutionNJ.

ONGOING INITIATIVES

“Peddler’s Village is commemorating this milestone with a variety of events that highlight American culture, community, and tradition beginning with our centerpiece exhibit Sights in Sand: An American Road Trip. Throughout the summer, we’re also hosting signature events that bring people together, including our Red, White & Blueberry Festival over the July 4th weekend, featuring all-American food and drink specials. We’ll wrap up the season with our beloved Peach Festival, celebrating regional flavors and seasonal traditions. We are honored to be part of this historic celebration and to offer experiences that celebrate, educate, and bring the community together.”

-Ali Weinstein, Director of Sales and Marketing at Peddler’s Village

Pick the date you want to take part and engage in history…

Walk into Princeton Public Library and you are asked to imagine yourself as part of the story…what will your role have been when American celebrates its 300th birthday in years to come? Are you fulfilling the ideals of the Revolution? This is part of the exhibit Revolutionary Lives, a traveling exhibition only on site until June 18! It explores the ordinary people that lived 250 years ago, starting with a panel in the lobby entrance and continues inside, sharing how their stories echo through time.

Summer means sand…but does it have to be at the beach? Sights in Sand: An American Road Trip is on display now through August 31^st at Peddler’s Village in New Hope, PA. It features America’s iconic landmarks, national wonders and more, recreated in sand. A free, kid-friendly scavenger hunt is also available on site.

NJ 250: Living Documents, Evolving Rights 1776-2026 is a new exhibit at the New Jersey State Library. Staff tours are being offered on July 2, 6, 7, and 8 at 11am and 1:30pm, but the curated materials tracing NJ’s constitution since 1776 is open to the public on the library’s 4^th floor at 185 W. State Street, Trenton, weekdays from 10am to 4pm.

If you want to really get out and explore, New Jersey has compiled two American Revolution Trip Itineraries. Over three days, the Northern NJ route takes you to the point atop a cliff in Fort Lee where revolutionary fighters battled, to five historical landmarks in Springfield and onto Morristown where the Continental Army stood strong. The Central/Southern NJ 4-day trip begins at the Crossing of the Delaware site in Titusville, to important sites towards victory in Trenton and Princeton, and onto Freehold and sites in the Highlands.

There is also an app, Liberty Trail New Jersey, which offers in-depth tours and information on many of the sites across the state related to the American Revolution. For both the educated and new historians, the app guides you to locations and shares stories to enlighten.

If you have a little one, why not encourage them to take part in the White House Summer Reading Challenge? Organized by Usha Chilukuri Vance, the Second Lady of the United States, children in grades K-8 are invited to read and track 12 books between now and September 4, 2026. The books can be historical, but do not have to. Either way, parents are asked to send the reading log and submission form in to receive a personalized certificate, special America 250^th-themed bookmark and more.

STAY UP TO DATE

For any additions or changes, be sure to keep an eye on Princeton’s 250th Celebration Events, where Princeton Online will continually update and help you fully honor this time in American history.