South Brunswick Library described REVCON 250 as follows: “Dive into South Brunswick’s Revolutionary past at this all-ages festival of all things Colonial. Enjoy food trucks, beer garden, kids activities, reenactments, history talks, crafts, and more”
Charlie, Kristina and Bob M at the display (photo Carol M)
Local historical organizations had tables in the air-conditioned new wing of the library. (outside temperature 90F)
We concentrated on Kingston during the American Revolution, with display panels, artifacts, a slide show, and three handouts.
The left panel was created for the Monmouth225th, showing soldiers from Kingston in the Revolutionary War.The center panel had three parts. Left described the Conference on Horseback, center talked about the Kingsthon Historical Society, and right described the march on the road to Monmouth battlefield.
The center panel had three large printouts as well as copies of our Archivist recruiting flier. Full resolution .jpg of the panels (large files) were :
In addition to the large panels we had handouts to start conversations. One listed upcoming events and QR Codes pointing to videos of events. The other was a fanciful invitation to travel in time, meeting General Washington.
Artifacts of the period were displayed on the table, along with three handouts: Our membership handout, EXPLORE/CELEBRATE, and “Attn: Time Travelers!” a guide to time-travel in Kingston.
“Attn: Time Travelers!” showing times when General George Washington was in Kingston
The Right panel was a reproduction of the British map of the battles of Trenton and Princeton and Washingston’s morning camp in Kingston. Other groups included the Old Barracks in TrentonDisplay from Metler-Bodine House in PiscatawayDisplay from Wallace House in Somerville, NJ with a Washington’s Life Guard reenactor.There were several talks in the new theater at the Library. The Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project speakers also covered the evolution of colonizer/native interactions over four centuries.
July 1st, 1676 (Old Style) was the date when the English land between the Hudson and Delaware rivers was divided into two colonies. There had been specific land grants, including one to a Mr. Fenwick, but control and governance was not clear so:
“…Quakers William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas and Byllynge became the owners of the rest.’ Since they wished to develop a Quaker colony in ‘Nest Jersey, needed to establish title in view of the Duke‘s failure to recognize Fenwick’s holdings, and wished control of the Delaware River rather than southern Jersey as left by the 1674 boundary, the four latter Quakers arranged to Sign a “Quintipartite Deed” with George Carteret on July l, 1676 to divide New Jersey into East and West Jersey.”*
* According to “The Story of New Jersey’s Civil Boundaries, 1606-1968.”, by John P. Snyder First Edition, Bureau of Geology and Topography Trenton, New Jersey 1969 Reprinted by New Jersey Geological Survey 2004
figure from “The Story of New Jersey’s Civil Boundaries, 1606-1968.” by John P. Syder, NJGS
I believe that we could also celebrate on July 12th, using the New Style calendar.
The Kingston Historical Society congratulates Markus McParland, author of Community Collection for Kingston NJ, a new resource for understanding Kingston, NJ.
On May 27th, 2026, Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission awarded Markus the 2026 Young Historian Award.
The event was captured on YouTube:
Markus McParland of Franklin Township was honored for his incredible contributions to local history, including authoring a comprehensive 570-page book detailing the rich history of the village of Kingston, New Jersey. Beyond his extensive writing and research, Markus is dedicated to giving back to the community through regular lectures at local libraries and historical society events. Along with this prestigious recognition, Markus was awarded a $500 scholarship to support his continued academic pursuits.
He is now a student at Notre Dame High School, in Lawrenceville, NJ.
Markus McParland and his book on Kingston (2023)
PS: In 2023 Markus received the following commendation from Franklin
Township, Somerset County: Markus McParland Commendation Deputy Mayor Anbarasan presented the following commendation: WHEREAS, Markus McParland is currently a resident of Franklin Township and a freshman at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey; and WHEREAS, Markus reads, writes and speaks fluent Mandarin and is currently training in Taekwondo where he has earned his 2nd degree Black Belt; and WHEREAS, as part of his community project, Markus put together articles, stories and photographs resulting in a published 300+ page book on the history of Kingston, entitled “Community Collection for Kingston, NJ”; NOW, THEREFORE, the Mayor and Council of the Township of Franklin, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey hereby commend and recognize Markus McParland for his exemplary accomplishments and wish him well in his future endeavors.
The weather was cool and windy, but the Kingston Historical Society archivist crew was able to welcome visitors from Highland Park to Arizona as we demonstrated how a D&R Canal lock worked and how the first swing bridge worked.
Signs brought visitors to the Locktender’s House where displays and refreshments awaited them.
Bob McAuley explains a D&R Canal Park sign
Photos by Carol McAuley, KHS
This year’s innovation was to bring the model of the canal lock outdoors so visitors could compare it directly with the actual Kingston canal lock. Visitors could visualize where the miter gates were, and how the boats changed level when the lock chamber filled.
The crew also provided 250th themed decorations and refreshments as well as the demonstrations in our two display rooms.
Charlie Dieterich demonstrates the model of the Kingston Lock made by Paul Kayne in 2001.
The display rooms will be open weekends for self-guided viewing through the summer.
This winter the archivist team of the Kingston Historical Society prepared the Kingston Locktender’s House for opening day, April 4, 2026. We started by washing the windows and window sills. The 1834 building also needed some interior cleaning, and got a new brochure case for the front door. We repaired some of the displays. And some things, like our old curtains, just had to be replaced!
The third event of Sunday, January 4th was a reenactment of Washington’s Conference on Horseback, as announced (with background information) HERE. The event followed “Lunch with Washington and his Generals” held at Eno Terra, by the bridge in Kingston, and the morning battle reenactment on Princeton Pike in Princeton, NJ.
British Map of troop movements in Kingston (Library of Congress)
While the generals were lunching, the army enjoyed a free meal (and warmth) at the Kingston Deli. The squad included at least one soldier killed in the morning battle on the Princeton Pike.
Event organizers from Franklin Township, Somerset County NJ mingled with the troops.What’s a battle if you don’t get a picture first?
The Kingston Locktender’s House was decorated, and ready for guests….
Members of the community assembled…
The kids got front row seats…
And the Kingston Women’s Chorus sang “O Christmas Tree”…
And led the crowd in several sing-alongs…
As the crowd listened and enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies.
But some kids would rather see the fire truck.
Thank you to members of the Kingston Historical Society board and archivists, and their families. Thank you to the members of the Kingston Women’s Chorus and their leader Heather Robbins. Thank you to Doug Miller for sound. Thank you to the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 for providing lighting and for showing off the engine. Thank you to all who came, especially those who brought their neighbors. Come back next year!!
We have added two Kingston, NJ events to our calendar, both on Sunday, January 4th. (click on highlighted links) The Franklin 250 Celebration poster for these events is available HERE
British Map of troop movements in Kingston (Library of Congress)
January 4, 2026 @ 12:30 pm Lunch with Washington and his Generals (LINK) Eno Terra, Kingston 4484 Route 27, Kingston ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED– PURCHASE ONLINE (click link to learn more.)
January 4, 2026 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm The Conference on Horseback Kingston Presbyterian Cemetery, Church Street, Kingston
