This month’s column will once again offer an opportunity to think back on these columns over the past year, and see if anything stuck!
Thus, we start 2026 off with some questions from material from 2025’s columns. If you happened to have read the columns, let’s see what if anything you remember — just for fun! The answers are below.
February’s column highlighted an upcoming program by the Ewing Historic Society, involving the story of four people and a dog who departed Trenton in 1909 for a historic journey. Three of the four lived most of their lives in Ewing. Where did the four people go, how did they travel, and why was it significant?
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March’s column featured a circa 1715 Ewing building, with news that a preservation plan has been created for it, as well as efforts to find a sustainable future use for the building. What is the building, and where is it located?
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April’s column began a four-part series about the Ryan Farm, originally located on Pennington Road in Ewing. What kind of farm was the Ryan Farm?
a) Soy
b) Wheat
c) Dairy
d) Alpaca
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The May column featured the 160 acre Ryan Farm and its c.1750 Temple Family farmhouse, as well as a dozen or so additional farm and outbuildings.
True or False: All of the farm buildings were meticulously and carefully moved when the farmhouse was relocated in order to perfectly preserve the physical integrity of the farm.
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True or False: We learned from the June column that dairy farming is a relatively simple and easy occupation, with little effort and few complications involved in ultimately producing an ice cold glass of fresh milk.
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July- — True or False: The Ryan Farm continues to provide fresh milk and dairy products to this day. Visitors to the Ryan Farm Exhibit held at the Temple House were able to milk the cows, fork hay up into the hayloft, and haul the manure out to the back pasture.
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In August, I announced that this column will attempt to present some history inherent in the upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, and to share perhaps some bits that aren’t as well known. What TYPE of history will be presented?
a) National
b) Local
c) International
d) Random
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In September, we learned that many English loyalists believed that the American Rebellion in the 1770s was fueled in part by Presbyterian theology, and its alignment with:
a) Individual freedom
b) Self rule
c) Religious tolerance
d) Opposition to tyranny and the Divine Right of Kings
e) All of the above
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October’s column highlighted an upcoming program sponsored by the Ewing Historical Society later in October on the events that occurred immediately following the crossing of the Delaware River by Washington and his troops on Christmas Day, 1776.
True or False: The march from Titusville to Trenton by Washington and his men was anticipated to be fairly straightforward and easily accomplished, thanks to local guides, plenty of signs pointing the way, and well-paved roads.
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In November, the column focused on the details of the talk on “After the Crossing.” True or False: Ewing holds a somewhat significant place in the history of our country, located as it is between the “crossing” and the “battles of Trenton” ,which in turn helped to keep the fight for independence alive.
Despite countless risks, obstacles and challenges, success was achieved, in part due to the strategic splitting of the troops in Birmingham (now West Trenton), the coordination of the surprise attack by Washington, and the dedication of the troops.
Extra Credit!!: True or False: Ewing should more publicly and proudly celebrate its position and role in that historic moment!
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December’s column offered a list of things to do to learn about and involve yourself with the many historical happenings in the area at this time of year, including:
a) Patriot’s Week
b) The Crossing Re-enactments at Washington Crossing
c) The Battle of Princeton
d) RevolutionNJ and TenCrucialDays websites
e) All of the above and MORE!
Thank you, readers, for following along with me here in the Observer. I wish you all good health, happiness, and the freedom to enjoy the many blessings we have here in Ewing and beyond as we move forward into 2026.
ANSWERS:
February: They traveled around the world in 1909-1910 primarily in a “Locomobile”, and the driver, Harold Brooks, is credited as being the first sole individual to drive around the world.
March: The William Green Farmhouse, now located on the TCNJ campus
April: (c) dairy farm
May: False
June: False
July: False
August: (b) Local (and occasional Random tidbits!)
September: (e) All of the above
October: False
November: True; and (Extra Credit) TRUE! (IMHO)
December: (e) All of the above!
Helen Kull is an Advisor with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.
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