Trenton will once again transform into a colonial world during the second day of Patriots Week, an annual celebration of the city’s role in the American Revolution.
Held from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, Patriots Week offers dozens of ways to experience and participate in the war that shaped our nation. From battle reenactments to a revolutionary pub craw, Trenton will spend the week honoring its colonial roots. The full list of events for the second day of Patriots Week can be found below.
State House Civics Tours
Tuesday, Dec. 27 held every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New Jersey State House, 125 W. State St., Trenton
The New Jersey State House, home to the legislative and executive branches of state government since 1792, is one of the state’s most important public buildings. Visitors will walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson to discover the building’s rich past and architectural history. Visitors will also learn about New Jersey’s legislative process and how to participate in the shaping of public policy. Free. 609-847-3150.
Revolution-era Shape Note Singing
Tuesday, Dec. 27 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Trenton Friends Meeting, 142 E. Hanover St., Trenton
For experienced and beginner singers, ‘Shape-note singing’ is a musical practice and tradition of social and community singing from music learned by ear that dates to the 18th century. Shape note music (sometimes called Sacred Harp music) is printed with the note heads in distinct shapes (squares, rounds, diamonds, etc.) to indicate their pitch, and whether they are sung as do re mi fa so la ti, or do! Maria von Trapp uses a variant of the historic shape note system to teach the von Trapp children to sing in the Academy Award winning movie, ‘The Sound of Music’ Free. Free parking behind the Meeting House.
www.quakercloud.org/cloud/trenton-friends-meeting
State House Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Tuesday, Dec. 27 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
New Jersey State House, 125 W. State St., Trenton
A 90 minute behind-the-scenes peek of the New Jersey State House, one of the oldest continuously operating capitol buildings in the nation. From timbers that date back to 1792 to contemporary art rarely seen by visitors, the tour takes you from the basement to the attic and places in between. Tour is geared for adult audiences. Must be able to climb steep stairs, and flat shoes are recommended. Reservations required. Free.
Reservations required. 609-847-3150.
Holiday Planetarium Shows
Tuesday, Dec. 27 1 a.m., noon and 1:00 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum Planetarium, 205 West State St., Trenton
Celebrate Patriots Week with a visit to the New Jersey State Museum’s Planetarium. The shows include a live demonstration of the sky set to Dec. 25, 1776. Learn about the constellations and planets that occupied the sky on the stormy evening when George Washington crossed the Delaware. $7 adult; $5 for children 12 and under. www.njstatemuseum.nj.gov.
Holiday Maker Space
Tuesday, Dec. 27 noon to 2 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State St., Trenton
Learn about New Jersey toy history and innovations in connection to the newest exhibit, Toy World. Families can design and construct a toy from their own imagination, accept a Lego design challenge or create a simple colonial era toy to take home. Included in admission fee (suggested donation). Projects change daily. www.statemuseum.nj.gov.
Revolutionary Music
Tuesday, Dec. 27 1 p.m.
Masonic Temple, 100 Barrack St., Trenton
This lecture and musical demonstration will discuss the specific tunes performed by the New Jersey Regiments and Philadelphia Batallions 1775-1777 as well as the more entertaining side of music during wartime. Musicians John Lane, Drew Wierzybowski and Stephen Hudak will perform. Free. www.barracks.org.
Larry Kidder “Ten Crucial Days” Lecture
Tuesday, Dec. 27 5:30 p.m.
Trenton Free Public Library Community Room, 120 Academy St., Trenton
Author and historian Larry Kidder will discuss “So Major a Thoroughfare: Trenton During the American Revolution, 1774-1783” during the library’s Patriots Week events. This talk tells the story of how Trenton and its people experienced and contributed to the events of the war that brought so many of its participants to their town. Free. www.trentonlib.org.
Old Barracks Museum Tours
Tuesday, Dec. 27 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 101 Barrack St., Trenton
Explore the New Jersey State Museum
Tuesday, Dec. 27 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State St., Trenton
Bring the whole family to the new, fun-filled exhibition Toy World. Exploring the unknown history of toy manufacturing in the Garden State, the exhibit features toy soldiers, model trains, tinplate mechanical toys, dolls, space toys and more, all developed and produced by New Jersey companies. Suggested Admission: $5-adults; $4-students and seniors.
George Bradshaw Exhibit of Etchings
Tuesday, Dec. 27 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Trenton Free Public Library Community Room, 120 Academy St., Trenton
Visit the Trenton Free Public Library and see the George Bradshaw exhibit of etchings, all week in “L” Gallery during open Library hours. Free. www.trentonlib.org.
Families with children of all ages can participate in the Patriots Week events. Photo By Andrew Wilkinson.,
