The picnics are long since over; the last bicycle in the parade is back in the garage, its red, white and blue streamers removed; and the glorious fireworks are but a distant, memorable flare.
The 249th celebration of our nation’s independence is in the books, and the next one is, as you read this, 11 months away.
But the next one is the big one! Officially the nation’s Semiquincentennial (“half” of “five” “hundred”), it will celebrate 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the official beginning of the United States of America. And Ewing is gearing up to celebrate its place as a witness and participant in the events of 1776 and beyond.
Anyone reading this column undoubtedly knows of the critical role that Trenton played in the Revolution, and you have likely attended the celebratory events held each year during Patriots Week.
Ewing — or more precisely, Trenton Township — was right in the midst of the action here in Central Jersey, and while some of it is well known and familiar, other aspects of the history may not be as widely known.
I think it’s appropriate over the next year to devote many of these columns to the local history tied to the upcoming celebration — to share perhaps some bits that aren’t as well known or highlight the actions of locals who were there. This is a perfect time to showcase Ewing/Trenton Township’s history, and I hope to do that over the coming months.
But I am not a professional historian! I remember learning a lot during the bicentennial celebrations, so I hope to share insights from others and point to the work that many local and statewide historical organizations are doing as we all gear up for the 250th.
I also hope to highlight activities in Trenton, Lawrence, Hopewell and Princeton as well — after all, we were all in it together 250 years ago! There will be much going on, and I look forward to bringing some of it to your attention, while offering a few historical tidbits along the way.
One such effort already available is our township’s 250th website (ewingnj.org/ewing250). It’s already up and running, with more content being added regularly. The site is full of interesting information about Ewing and the surrounding area’s history and the 250th celebration. You’ll certainly want to bookmark that webpage and visit it often.
One event already scheduled — which I will write about in more detail in October’s column — is a presentation on Sunday, Oct. 19, about Washington’s march from Johnson’s Ferry in Hopewell through Ewing to the Battle of Trenton. Historians Larry Kidder (Ewing’s own!) and Roger Williams will speak on this very local topic at the 1867 Sanctuary at 2 p.m.
The event will be hosted by the Ewing Historic Preservation Society and the Ewing Historic Preservation Commission.
Speaking of the Society, I would be terribly remiss not to mention the work they, too, are doing in preparation for the 250th.
The immediate past president of the Society, Becky Urban, was honored recently at the annual Sarah Temple Tea for the amazing leadership she brought to the organization — for projects undertaken to highlight and interpret Ewing’s rich history, and for preparing the Benjamin Temple House (home of the Society) for the upcoming celebrations.
Becky implemented many vital steps to truly make the house a museum, and to make it informative, accommodating and welcoming.
The presidency has now passed on to Joanne Durham, who is spearheading many of the specific events coming up this year — and who is doing a superb job!
There is a lot in store, and it’s all thanks to the many committed volunteers and skillful leaders with a vision for what our Society can be. We are all very grateful for their leadership and the gifts they will be sharing with us in the coming months.
On to 250! Huzzah!
If there are specific topics you’re interested in reading about here, feel free to write me, Helen, at ewingthenandnow@gmail.com, and I’ll see what I can do.
The Benjamin Temple House is open the first Sunday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m.; Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; or by appointment.
Helen Kull is an Advisor with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.
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