Long before it became a modern township, the land that is now West Windsor played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War—a history that’s now coming to light through a community-wide celebration.
“It is everyone’s history in town, whether or not their families have lived here for 200 years or two weeks,” said Paul Ligeti, chair of the Revolution West Windsor committee and president of the Historical Society of West Windsor. “West Windsor has a history that’s worth celebrating and commemorating.”
The ongoing initiative, part of the nation’s 250th birthday—also known as the Semiquincentennial—brings dozens of community groups, historians, artists, and volunteers to honor the town’s role in the American Revolution and to reflect on how local history shapes identity.
Although West Windsor did not officially exist during the Revolution—it was part of Windsor Township until 1797—the land that makes up today’s town was home to several important figures and events.
“There’s a few dozen soldiers who are from present-day West Windsor Township’s borders who either lived here or owned land in the area,” Ligeti said. “In addition to that, Richard Stockton, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, owned land in present-day West Windsor.”
Stockton’s property, about 300 acres purchased in 1765, lies off Village Road West—now the site of the Mercer Oaks golf course.
Other prominent locals included Jacob Bergen, a Revolutionary War soldier and prolific tavern owner who operated out of Dutch Neck. One of Bergen’s taverns—known today as Widow Bergen’s Tavern Tavern—still stands and was where the township’s first government meetings were held.
West Windsor’s most compelling Revolutionary tale, Ligeti said, ties into the “10 Crucial Days,” a pivotal period between Dec. 25, 1776, and Jan. 3, 1777, when three major battles revitalized the American cause.
“Those three battles collectively helped convince a lot of Washington’s men, who were otherwise set to leave the army, to stay on. They convinced a lot of new recruits to sign up,” Ligeti said. “They also signaled to others—including the French, who eventually backed the Americans—that the effort was not lost.”
As British General Charles Cornwallis prepared to march from Princeton to retake Trenton from Washington, a scouting party, sent by Washington on Dec. 30th, captured British troops in West Windsor.
“The captured troops were taken back to Trenton and interrogated and they revealed information that Charles Cornwallis was coming to attack Trenton. So with that, Washington was able to prepare for the attack on the city and stave off Cornwallis’ superior forces,” Ligeti said.
“These three battles, I mean, a little hyperbolic to say they saved the war, but they really did change the trajectory,” Ligeti said.
Ligeti said that although many of the key Revolutionary-era sites in West Windsor are now private residences or spread out across town, efforts are underway to mark them with interpretive signs.
Many events tied to Revolution West Windsor are being hosted at the Historical Society’s home site on the Schenck Farmstead on Southfield Road, where exhibits and archives bring the town’s history to life.
The idea for Revolution West Windsor began brewing years ago.
“We knew most towns across the United States, most cities, most states would be celebrating this anniversary,” Ligeti said. “So it was kind of imperative that we did as well.”
Ligeti formed a committee late last year to bring together local organizations. “We held a meeting in December, and we’ve met a few times since then. This really is a township-wide initiative.”
The coalition includes the township itself, the Historical Society of West Windsor, both volunteer fire companies, the West Windsor Arts Council, the West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance, the West Windsor Township Division of Recreation and Parks, West Windsor Lions Club, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. The police department has also expressed interest in joining.
“So far we have about 50 to 60 events already lined up between now and the end of December 2026,” Ligeti said.
These events will range from lectures and concerts to walking tours and dances. One standout event is the annual History Music Fest at the farmstead. The event has always been a multicultural celebration, giving performers a chance to share their culture and religion through music and art. Next year, it will continue to highlight that diversity while incorporating more Revolutionary themes into performances.
Other highlights include historical bike and walking tours and potentially a community time capsule. “We have to figure out what to put in it, of course,” Ligeti added with a laugh.
Although it’s a history-focused initiative, Revolution West Windsor emphasizes accessibility and engagement across all ages.
“We’ve been working more with Scouts and Girl Scouts to do projects at the museum and around town. For example, there was a scout who installed a marker to the trolley line that used to run through town,” Ligeti said.
The Historical Society is also working with the Friends of West Windsor Open Space and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance on developing a trail to highlight the region’s Indigenous history.
Ligeti’s main responsibility as committee chair is making sure events are well publicized and that groups cross-promote one another. “We have more volunteers than we did in the past,” he said. They’ve really stepped up and taken on leadership roles.”
The planning committee currently includes about a dozen regular participants, with community groups largely in charge of organizing their own events. “It’s more about the cross-promotion that’s committee-wide,” Ligeti said.
One way residents can get involved right now is through the town’s Revolution West Windsor logo contest. “We’re definitely looking for more people to submit,” Ligeti said. “This is their opportunity to get involved and have their logo design featured for about a year and a half.”
The contest is open to all current and former West Windsor residents with no age limit. This contest will determine the official logo for the celebration.
“It’ll be used across town on flyers, merchandise, and general promotion. The more submissions, the better,” Ligeti said.
The contest will run until June 1, and the winner will be revealed at the West Windsor Township picnic on June 14. A panel made up of the Historical Society of West Windsor and the West Windsor Arts Council will select the winning design. For more information on the contest, go to westwindsorarts.org or westwindsorhistory.com.
As more events begin rolling out, Ligeti hopes they’ll spark long-term interest in preserving local history.
“We are 100% volunteer-run,” he emphasized. “There’s plenty of opportunities, we’re certainly looking to get more into preservation, event planning, and expanding our presence in town.”
Ligeti is hopeful this celebration will increase residents’ interest to learn more about their town’s history.
When asked what he hopes people will take away from the celebration, his answer is simple: “History is not something that just happened in the past—it’s ongoing. Its effects are still felt to this day.”
An image from a Revolutionary War reenactment at the Schenck Farmstead in West Windsor in October 2022,
