225TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Saturday, May 5th: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 6th: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Deer Path Park West Woodschurch Road Readington Township FREE ADMISSION
PRESENTED BY:
FREE ADMISSION
Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State; New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders; and the business community through funds administered by the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission.
A REVOLUTIONARY EVENT!
Hunterdon County will celebrate the 225th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and our nation's entrance into the Revolutionary War on Saturday and Sunday, May 5th & 6th. The celebration will take place at Deer Path Park, West Woodschurch Road and Route 31, in Readington Township. The event is presented by the Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission, Hunterdon County Department of Parks and Recreation, Hunterdon Historical Museum, and the 2nd N.J. Regiment, Helm's Company of the Continental Line.
The weekend encampment will be attended by more than 200 re-enactors representing British Regulars, Hessians, American Militia and Continental Troops. Along with guided tours of the campsite, there will be educational interpretations of the role played by soldiers of the day. Each day (2:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday) an hour-long skirmish between Americans and Hessians and British Regulars will take place. The military companies will be authentically garbed and willing to share their knowledge of the Revolutionary War with spectators. Youngsters will be invited to learn the drill commands of the Revolutionary soldier and see how the soldier lived when out in the field.
Daily 18th century crafts will be demonstrated by the 1770's Crafters. Suttlers - those who sold goods to soldiers - will also be present. On Saturday, the well-known period musicians Enslow and Ridley will provide colonial music. The musical talent of James Kurzenberger, director of the Wallace House in Somerville, will be featured Sunday.
Samuel Sutphen, a black soldier who fought for several years during the Revolutionary War, will tell his story throughout the day. Sutphen was a slave who went to war for his master. He lived in Readington Township. Since one out of four Revolutionary soldiers was black, it is important that their stories be told. Robert Jennings of Flemington will play Sutphen.
Hunterdon's museums and historical societies will display their accomplishments along with having books on local history for sale. Genealogical materials designed to help the amateur searcher of the family tree will also be available.
Of course, food will complete the day. Join us for a truly educational, fun-filled family day commemorating the beginnings of our country as a free people! Rain or shine. The event will be free.
Questions? Call Donna Jenssen at the Commission office: 908-788-1256 or Stephanie B. Stevens: 908-534-4395