Category: public event

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”

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 center panel had three large printouts as well as copies of our Archivist recruiting flier. Full resolution .jpg of the panels (large files) were :

• The Conference on Horseback
• The Road to Monmouth
• about The Kingston Historical Society

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.

PDF versions can be downloaded:

• EXPLORE/CELEBRATE listing videos and upcoming events, and
• “Attn: Time Travelers!” showing times when General George Washington was in Kingston

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.

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.

https://archive.org/details/kingston-1999-parade

Lots of Kingston fire departments, bands and dignitaries!!
George is preparing a tea time talk for January, 2026 about the overall K1999 effort.

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.

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.

Meanwhile… (NEXT)

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

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.)

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January 4, 2026 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
The Conference on Horseback
Kingston Presbyterian Cemetery, Church Street, Kingston

Three videos are now available from the KHS annual meeting on November 11, 2025. The first is a report during the meeting and the other two are presentations by our invited speaker

Table of Contents

• KHS Year in Review – Charlie Dieterich, society secretary (LINK)
• Part 1: New Jersey’s Road to Revolution William Krakower (LINK)
• Part 2: Commemorating the Revolution at Princeton Battlefield Park (LINK)

KHS Year in Review – Charlie Dieterich, society secretary (LINK)

The business meeting consisted of opening remarks by Robert von Zumbusch, president of the Kingston Historical Society, and a review of KHS events since the previous annual meeting by Charlie Dieterich, society secretary.

The society then reelected Sharon O’Donnell Hansen, Charles Dieterich, and Robert Brown for three years and
Robert McAuley for a one-year term. President Robert von Zumbusch closed the meeting and introduced our speaker.

Part 1: New Jersey’s Road to Revolution William Krakower (LINK)

New Jersey has always been a diverse and complicated place, with many people of differing ideas and beliefs. In the increasingly tense years before the outbreak of the rebelion in 1775, New Jersey was alive with activity. Will Krakower, author and interpreter at the Princeton Battlefield, discussed some of people, places, and events which drew the Jerseys ever closer to a war which would pit neighbor against neighbor.

This first video includes a brief introduction by Robert von Zumbusch. Questions about part 1 are at the beginning of Part 2 (see below)

Part 2: Commemorating the Revolution at Princeton Battlefield Park (LINK)

Park Historian Krakower shares improvements to Princeton Battlefield State Park as well as future plans to enhance visitor experience at the Battlefield, during and after the 250^th anniversary. The video begins with questions about Part 1 (above)

Videos are hosted on Archive.org, a donation-funded website providing streaming (and downloadable) videos. We thank them and encourage you to donate to this civic minded organization.

Although the day was cool and damp, our Locktender’s House opening day “open house” was a wonderful success.

Visitors from New Jersey and beyond saw our press release in local papers (including page 4 of Town Topics, page 10 of US1) and came in spite of the misty rain.

Members of the Historical Society trustees and archivists pitched in to set up, bring refreshments and do demonstrations using our canal lock and swing bridge models. About two dozen visitors enjoyed a cold drink, a brownie or a Toll House Cookie.

Our archivist team provided demonstrations using two study models built by Paul Kane for the D&R Canal State Park twenty years ago.

The opening day celebration is a reminder that our historical society exists to educate the community. History is learned by sharing stories. We are thankful for those who braved the weather to visit!

Also thanks to Archivist Bob B. and his son Nick who helped set up, and Sheila for the cookies!

Charlie

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