In 2026, the United States of America turns 250 years old. This anniversary—the “semiquincentennial” of our country —marks a quarter of a millennium from the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the founding assertion of freedom that signaled to the world that thirteen colonies in North America were no longer part of the British empire.
Across the nation, countless towns, cities, counties, and states will hold innumerable events to celebrate this anniversary. West Windsor is no exception.
Late last year, the Historical Society of West Windsor, an all-volunteer nonprofit that has preserved and promoted local history since 1983, convened a township-wide committee.
This working group is made up of many major local community groups to coordinate and cross-promote a cornucopia of events and programs in celebration of the 250th.
The group currently includes West Windsor Arts, the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance, the West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, the West Windsor Lions Club, the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co., the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Co., West Windsor Recreation and Parks and representatives from Town Council.
Over the past few months, we have been planning dozens of community programs, to celebrate the 250th. Now, this initiative is finally underway.
“Revolution West Windsor”—the official title of this venture—will span about 20 months, from late April of 2025 to late December 2026.
From parades to lectures, to tours to art exhibits, to concerts, dances, festivals, memorial services, time capsules, movies, and more, these two years will be filled with something for everyone. We intend to engage people of all ages, perspectives, and backgrounds in exploring and commemorating the founding of our nation, and West Windsor’s unique role. We also aim to leave a longer-lasting legacy, such as interpretive history markers and other physical installations.
Revolution West Windsor “kicked off” with a logo contest that started on April 20 and will run through to early June, to depict how West Windsor was uniquely involved in the War for Independence (see westwindsorhistory.com/revww.html)
The winner will be announced at the Township Picnic in mid-June. And in May, we will speak before Township Council to formalize this as a township initiative. After that, it’s off to the races!
Did you know that New Jersey is commonly called the “Crossroads of the Revolution,” due to its pivotal role during the Revolutionary War? More battles and skirmishes took place here than any other state, and many of them carried critical significance.
For instance, the “10 Crucial Days” between December 26, 1776 and January 3, 1777 were of paramount importance. After months of defeats in New York, many demoralized soldiers, with contracts expiring at year’s end, were to resign from Washington’s army. However, three American victories—the Battles of Trenton (Dec. 26), Assunpink Creek (Jan. 2), and Princeton (Jan. 3) helped turn the tide.
These 10 Crucial Days restored confidence in the Continental Army, convincing enlisted soldiers to renew their contracts and new recruits to sign up. It also positioned Washington’s army to drive the British out of New Jersey more broadly and signaled to observers – including eventual French backers – that the patriots still had a chance.
Did you also know that West Windsor itself played a role in the Revolution? The Historical Society already knows of a few dozen soldiers from the area. But there’s more.
For instance, Richard Stockton—a signer of the Declaration of Independence—owned about 300 acres in town, overlapping the present-day Mercer Oaks golf course off Village Road West. Jacob Bergen, a prolific tavern-owner from West Windsor (back then, part of a much-larger town called Windsor Township), also signed an agreement to have the Continental Congress use one of his taverns in Trenton as the ninth capitol building of the United States in 1784.
About a decade later, he purchased another inn that would be used as our town’s first meeting grounds (the house still stands in the historic “Dutch Neck” neighborhood). Many local civilians had their barns burned and valuables looted by marauding Hessians and British troops (and some of their historic properties still stand, such as the Slayback-Reed homestead at 540-542 Village road West).
And patriots are buried in each of our town’s burial grounds—from the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church graveyard to the Princeton Baptist Church graveyard in historic Penns Neck to the Schenck-Covenhoven cemetery off Route 1 and Washington Road. And, on the other side of the political spectrum, the family of Thomas Hooper had to flee to Canada because of suspected British loyalties.
Some intriguing events also took place here. A capture of British troops off Clarksville Road (Dec. 30, 1776) gave George Washington information that helped him triumph at the Battle of Assunpink Creek and Battle of Trenton, cementing two of the three victories of the 10 Crucial Days.
And on January 3, as Washington marched from Trenton to Princeton, he passed through West Windsor, on his way to triumph.
Yet, there are also darker elements. Like the rest of the nation, slavery was an institution in town during (and well after) the Revolution, and West Windsor may have in fact had one of the last enslaved residents in the state in the 1860s (more on that in a future article).
And what of the role of women, who played a significant role not just on the home front but the battlefront as well? As the Founding Fathers debated the nature of independence and human rights, contradictions abounded. The realities of the Revolution were complex and deserve a deeper look.
To that end, Revolution West Windsor aims to not just be a calendar of events. It aims to educate, to inspire, and to unite. It is a synthesis of our nation’s founding and West Windsor’s unique and rich history.
To learn much more – including the history, how to enter the logo contest, how to volunteer, or join us as a partner organization/business, visit: WestWindsorHistory.com/RevWW.
Bring on the Revolution!
The Historical Society is an all-volunteer nonprofit; all our volunteers donate their free time to document and promote our Township’s history. There is a lot to celebrate, but we can’t do it without your support. Please consider volunteering and/or donating to help us grow and expand our impact. To learn more, visit: westwindsorhistory.com
Paul Ligeti is the president of the Historical Society of West Windsor.
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