SAVE THE DATE:
Skirmish at
Geary’s Ridge
Hunterdon County Living History Day
Saturday, Oct. 10th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. South
County Park Fairgrounds
See how Hunterdon County
patriots prevailed over the British!
- ·HEARDS BRIGADE;·
- 2ND NJ MILITIA;·
- REVOLUTIONARY WAR ENCAMPMENT AND RE-ENACTMENT;·
- SUTTLERS;·
- REVOLUTIONARY WAR CANNONS WITH FIRING DEMONSTRATIONS;·
- MUSKET DRILLS AND MUSKET FIRING DEMONSTRATIONS;·
- ARTISANS INCLUDING CANDLE-DIPPING, TIN-MAKING, 18TH CENTURY TOOLS; BLACK SMITH; WOOL CARDING;
- FALCONRY;·
- HUGE DISPLAY OF AMERICAN 17TH, 18TH, AND 19TH CENTURY ARTIFACTS AND DOCUMENTS;·
- ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN FAMILIES, AND ADULTS;·
- AFTERNOON TALK ON THE SKIRMISH OF GEARY’S RIDGE;
- FOOD TRUCKS;·
- DJ;
- GAMES
AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR EVENTS
FROM THE HUNTERDON 300TH
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD: “ROBERT ERSKINE, WASHINGTON'S MAPMAKER": An expatriate Scot who emigrated to Ringwood in 1771 to serve as ironmaster at the ironworks there, Robert Erskine came to George Washington’s attention in 1777 through Erskine’s work on Hudson River defenses protecting West Point. Ultimately appointed as the Surveyor General to the Continental Army, Erskine surveyed many of the significant routes used by the Army. His maps match many of the today’s roads and help us envision the county in which we reside. Join historian and map enthusiast John Allen as he explores this fascinating subject.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH: “THE POTTERSTOWN SKIRMSH”: Join Bethlehem Township Historian and retired history teacher Charles Riddle as he tells the story of loyalists vs patriots, neighbors vs neighbors, friends turned enemies, during the American Revolution. During the first civil war in our country, the American Revolution, raids, skirmishes, and ambushes took place all over the colonies and Hunterdon was not immune. In the busy hamlet of Potterstown in 1777, such an event unfolded right leaving a community shaken. The skirmish that started in Potterstown would end in Piscataway with 75 Loyalists captured and eventually put on trial for treason. The struggle between loyalists and patriots became the War With No Mercy.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH: “COLONIAL HERALDRY”: In this informative presentation, Hunterdon 300th’s own David Smisek guides audiences through the fascinating world of heraldry, the historic discipline concerned with the design, display, interpretation, and inheritance of armorial bearings. The talk opens with a clear introduction to the essential elements of heraldic practice, giving attendees the tools to understand how coats of arms function as both art and identity.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH: RAISING OF THE LIBERTY POLE IN AMWELL TOWNSHIP: In 1776, Amwell Township was comprised of a territory that included our modern East Amwell Township, West Amwell Township, Delaware Township, Raritan Township, City of Lambertville, Stockton Borough, and Flemington Borough. In 2026, we will be raising a Liberty Pole -- a secret marker known to Patriots as a safe place to talk about the Revolution -- at the Marion F. Clawson Memorial Park in East Amwell, where we will be joined by the elected officials (invited) of those municipalities. Join us and some of our Colonial re-enactors for an event full of patriotism, merriment, music, and cake for this family friendly, fun and educational outdoor celebration of America's 250th. HUZZAH!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH: "BONNELL'S TAVERN": An important historic gathering place for patriots seeking liberty and religious freedom, Bonnell's Tavern has stood at the crossroads of three municipalities for over two and a half centuries. Now vacant after the State of New Jersey acquired its land to construct Interstate 78, the tavern's legacy endures. For those intrigued by its history, Hank Bonnell, an eighth-generation direct descendant of the tavern's original innkeeper, will share the vibrant story of the tavern and the patriots who frequented it. In 2026, Hank will return to discuss his personal efforts to preserve and restore the tavern, along with his vision for its future.
7 pm. North Branch of the County Library, 65 Halstead Street, Clinton.
Free. Reservations are required. Free refreshments follow.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH, 10AM: ENCORE BY POPULAR DEMAND: CEMETERY TOUR OF AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR GRAVES, GRANDIN CEMETERY (Rain Date Sunday, September
List: https://bethlehempc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/EagleProject-Graves-List-DanWeiss.pdf
Map: https://bethlehempc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Cemetery-Map-By-Dan-Weiss.pdf
Walk limited to 20 guests.
The walk is free but reservations are required.
Meeting location is the Church's parking lot on Race Street, Union Township. The 300th will escort you across the street for safety purposes.
NEW!! TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH: PRIVATE TOUR OF "FIVE INDEPENDENT SOULS: THE SIGNERS FROM NEW JERSEY" AT MORVEN MUSEUM:
In June 1776, the provincial congress of New Jersey sent five new delegates to Philadelphia with instructions to vote for independence from Great Britain. These five men were all landowners of varying backgrounds, and included farmers, lawyers, a surveyor, and a Presbyterian minister. Each was married with a large family -- among them, they fathered fifty children! They would have understood that their vote amounted to treason against the King. Five Independent Souls explores the lives of these lesser known founding fathers, examining who they were before, during, and after the signing.
This exhibit also confronts one of the most confounding actualities around the signers of the Declaration of Independence: these five men, who put their lives on the line for liberty, freedom, and equality, simultaneously denied these very same rights to the people they enslaved. Visitors can learn about the lives of these subjugated men, women, and children who would have witnessed conversations on freedom and equality while being held in bondage in the homes of these patriots.
Morven exhibit experts will personally guide us through the five rooms of over 100 artifacts from the NJ five signers of the Declaration of Independence including Hunterdon County's John Hart.
Meet us at the Museum before or after lunch. Two tours available, both free through the Hunterdon 300th, but reservations are required. Tours are limited to 20 people each.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
THE HUNTERDON COUNTY CULTURE & HERITAGE COMMISSION: HUNTERDON 250TH BUILDING BLOCKS WORKSHOP: FREE FAMILY FUN!! To celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States, the county's Culture & Heritage Commission will be hosting a special HUNTERDON CELEBRATES AMERICA'S 250TH BUILDING BLOCKS WORKSHOP! Registration now open. Join us for a 2-hour, fast paced, hands-on, model building experience using over 100,000 Lego® building blocks to recreate history! Teams will use Legos to construct detailed models of historic and cultural landmarks in Hunterdon County, which will then be placed on a 16 x 20 foot map of the county. Participants will work in teams of 4 to create their models. A great event for families and people of all ages! This program is in partnership with Building Blocks Workshops, which conducts programs using Lego® building blocks as a fun event for residents to learn about the architectural heritage of their community. This program is FREE and open to all Hunterdon County residents! OCTOBER 24, 2026, 2 PM - 4 PM. DOORS OPEN AT 1:30 PM. 314 NJ-12, Flemington, NJ 08822. SPACE IS LIMITED! There is a maximum of 50 teams. For information and to register visit https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/2938/Hunterdon-250th-Building-Blocks-Workshop
THE EAST AMWELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS: RINGOES: CROSSROAD OF THE REVOLUTION": Learn about the hidden history of Old Amwell — a township that once stretched nearly 200 square miles, covering today’s East Amwell, West Amwell, Delaware Township, Flemington, Mt. Airy, parts of Kingwood and Hopewell, Lambertville, Ringoes, and more. In the 1700s, all of this was simply Amwell, with Ringoes at its center, where Old York Road carried riders, soldiers, couriers, and intelligence through one of the busiest Revolutionary crossroads in New Jersey.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
THE HUNTERDON COUNTY CULTURE & HERITAGE COMMISSION: HUNTERDON 250TH BUILDING BLOCKS WORKSHOP: FREE FAMILY FUN!! To celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States, the county's Culture & Heritage Commission will be hosting a special HUNTERDON CELEBRATES AMERICA'S 250TH BUILDING BLOCKS WORKSHOP! Registration now open. Join us for a 2-hour, fast paced, hands-on, model building experience using over 100,000 Lego® building blocks to recreate history! Teams will use Legos to construct detailed models of historic and cultural landmarks in Hunterdon County, which will then be placed on a 16 x 20 foot map of the county. Participants will work in teams of 4 to create their models. A great event for families and people of all ages! This program is in partnership with Building Blocks Workshops, which conducts programs using Lego® building blocks as a fun event for residents to learn about the architectural heritage of their community. This program is FREE and open to all Hunterdon County residents! OCTOBER 24, 2026, 2 PM - 4 PM. DOORS OPEN AT 1:30 PM. 314 NJ-12, Flemington, NJ 08822. SPACE IS LIMITED! There is a maximum of 50 teams. For information and to register visit https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/2938/Hunterdon-250th-Building-Blocks-Workshop
THE EAST AMWELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS: RINGOES: CROSSROAD OF THE REVOLUTION": Learn about the hidden history of Old Amwell — a township that once stretched nearly 200 square miles, covering today’s East Amwell, West Amwell, Delaware Township, Flemington, Mt. Airy, parts of Kingwood and Hopewell, Lambertville, Ringoes, and more. In the 1700s, all of this was simply Amwell, with Ringoes at its center, where Old York Road carried riders, soldiers, couriers, and intelligence through one of the busiest Revolutionary crossroads in New Jersey.This exhibit uncovers stories almost lost through time:
• Washington’s rides through Amwell and his stops to rest and meet local patriots
• Lafayette’s recovery in our region
• Espionage networks and quiet intelligence work along Old York Road
• Taverns and mills where news, strategy, and resistance took shape
• Local patriots, women, and Black residents whose contributions deserve recognition
• The Sons of Liberty and early sparks of rebellion
• The Amwell Skirmish and the everyday courage of families living on a warfront.
The museum is open the 2nd and 4th weekends of each month (except holiday weekends), and will also be open on July 4 with a renewed, enlightening look at the hidden history of the Revolution. Bring a friend, bring family, and come rediscover the Revolutionary world that once unfolded right here in the Revolutionary crossroad we call home. For more information contact Eastamwellhistoricalsociety1@gmail.com or Text: 609-591-4661
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND: AMERICAN REVOLUTION THEMED HOOKED RUGS DISPLAY thru September 29th/ Hunterdon County North Branch, Clinton, NJ. https://www.hclibrary.us/home
This exhibit uncovers stories almost lost through time:
• Washington’s rides through Amwell and his stops to rest and meet local patriots
• Lafayette’s recovery in our region
• Espionage networks and quiet intelligence work along Old York Road
• Taverns and mills where news, strategy, and resistance took shape
• Local patriots, women, and Black residents whose contributions deserve recognition
• The Sons of Liberty and early sparks of rebellion
• The Amwell Skirmish and the everyday courage of families living on a warfront.
The museum is open the 2nd and 4th weekends of each month (except holiday weekends), and will also be open on July 4 with a renewed, enlightening look at the hidden history of the Revolution. Bring a friend, bring family, and come rediscover the Revolutionary world that once unfolded right here in the Revolutionary crossroad we call home. For more information contact Eastamwellhistoricalsociety1@gmail.com or Text: 609-591-4661
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH: JOSEPH TURNER HOUSE AND HGH BRIDGE HISTORICAL COMMITTEE JOINT EVENT: "THE UNION IRONWORKS HISTORIC PROPERTIES TOUR:
Starts 10AM at Turner House
10:00AM - 12:00PM Joseph Turner House/grounds
12:15PM - 1:15PM Van Syckel's Tavern
1:30PM - 2:15PM The TISCO Complex
2:15PM - 2:45PM TSGH walk over bridge, by Forge, to Solitude
2:45PM - 5:00PM Solitude/Annex
Note: tour times may include Union Furnace pending visibility
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH: SAMUEL FLEMING HOUSE: House Museum Tours 1-3pm. 5 Bonnell Street, Flemington, NJ. Free. No reservations required.
https://www.samuelfleminghouse.org/
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS PRESENTS: AN OPEN HOUSE TO ELEBATE AMERICA'S 250TH WITH ART AND LIVING HOSTORY: This special America 250 Open House offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary while exploring the Revolutionary era through the artistry of hooked rugs and the firsthand perspective of a woman who defied convention to serve her country.
At 1:00 p.m., Sharon Goodman will give a short talk while portraying Deborah Sampson, a Revolutionary War soldier who disguised herself as a man to serve in the Continental Army.
At 2:00 p.m., fiber artist Lucy Walsh will speak about the rugs on display, the historic images that inspired them, and the stories behind their designs.
Following the presentations, Goodman will remain in character as Sampson and circulate among visitors, allowing guests to ask questions and hear more about her remarkable experiences. Walsh will also be on hand to demonstrate the hooking process and provide a practice frame for guests to try their hand at hooking.
The afternoon will feature a special exhibit by the Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild, showcasing hooked rugs inspired by the people, places, events, and slogans of 1776. Created in anticipation of America’s 250th anniversary, the project brings history and art together through dozens of handcrafted rugs and scaled models of Revolutionary-era regimental flags. Each rug tells a story in wool and offers a unique artistic perspective on American history.
The guild’s members completed 70 rugs as part of a yearlong project that began in January 2026. The exhibit has been displayed at 18 venues throughout Hunterdon, Somerset, and Bucks counties, including historic homes, community events, reenactments, encampments, fairs, and a winery. The project has also been featured in two rug-crafting magazines and will be presented virtually at Sauder Village in Ohio.
Bouman-Stickney Farmstead,1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Bouman-Stickney Farmstead is located in the Stanton section of Readington. For GPS purposes, use 114 Dreahook Road, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Although there is no fee, donations are gladly accepted. In the event of inclement weather, please call Readington Museums for the latest program updates.
For more information, visit www.readington.gov/community/museum, email Museums@readington.gov, or call 908-236-2327.
Made possible with funds from the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH: THE FRIENDS OF HUNTERDON COUNTY LIBRARY PRESENTS: "BETSY ROSS AND BENJAMIN FRANKLIN COME TO HUNTERDON” as portrayed by Alissa Dupuy. 2 pm. Free. https://www.hclibrary.us/home
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH: THE 1759 VOUGHT HOUSE PRESENTS: "WAR ON OUR DOORSTEP: THE LOYALIST VOUGHT FAMILY HARDSHIPS DURING THE WAR":
