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.
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
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
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.
Click on image to play video (in new window)
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 RevolutionWilliam 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)
Click on image to play video (in new window)
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 250th anniversary. The video begins with questions about Part 1 (above)
lick on image to play video (in a new window)
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.
Carrie Fellows, Executive Director of New Jersey’s Crossroads of the American Revolution Assoc. Inc. came to Kingston on June 10th to talk about RevolutionNJ, celebrations of the 250th anniversary of New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution. Below is a video of her talk.
Six short (20 minute) videos came out of the Kingston Historical Society’s “Tea Time Talk” series this winter. The videos are stored on Archive.org, and freely viewable (no commercials, no paywall.) You can also download them to your computer, or share the links with friends and fellow Kingstonians.
All talks were recorded at the Kingston United Methodist Church, Kingston, New Jersey. We thank them for providing the hall and space for tea and conversation. Thanks to Doug Miller for recording the February talks. Direct links shown at the end of each description
March 23rd Talks
Mapleton, Preserved: Karen Linder, president of the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands, speaks on the preservation of land along Mapleton Road in Kingston. https://archive.org/details/mapleton-preserved
Everybody Wanted the King’s Town: KHS Secretary Charlie Dieterich traces the evolution of boundaries in Kingston– from the first English settlement to modern Girl Scout Cookie distribution. https://archive.org/details/everybody-wanted-the-kings-town
Bottled in Kingston: Kingston resident Alexandria Trevena shares research which started when she bought a bottle online. Learn about a half dozen bottle companies with links to Kingston. https://archive.org/details/bottled-in-kingston
February 23rd Talks:
The Kingston Green Belt: Tari Panaleo, president of the Kingston Greenways Association, describes the evolution of a preserved greenbelt around the village center of Kingston. https://archive.org/details/kingston-greenbelt-2025
Kingston in the American Revolution: Local historian and vice president of the Kingston Historical Society. He gives a brief overview of how the warring armies used the village of Kingston during the Revolutionary War. https://archive.org/details/kingston-in-the-american-revolution-2025
The Road Through Kingston in 1679: Kristina Hill, member of the archivist team, shares diary entries from Jasper Dankers. His was the first written description of the route from Piscataway to Trenton, NJ. Charlie Dieterich adds context. https://archive.org/details/road-thru-kingston-1679
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.
The Refreshments Table was designed by KHS Trustee Sharon (seated).
Our archivist team provided demonstrations using two study models built by Paul Kane for the D&R Canal State Park twenty years ago.
Archivist Alexandria demonstrates the operation of a canal lockArchivist Maxwell demonstrates our model of an A-frame swing bridge.
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!
Trustee Charlie and Archivist Ruth share lemonade in the North Room
Also thanks to Archivist Bob B. and his son Nick who helped set up, and Sheila for the cookies!
The Locktender’s House on the Delaware and Raritan Canal at the Kingston bridge is closed from December through March, so on April 5th we celebrate the re-opening of our display rooms.
Our open house begins at 10 AM and runs through 5 PM, with demonstration models of the Kingston swing bridge and canal lock.
You are welcome to come browse our current displays:
One of the displays in the center room celebrates 50 years of the D&R Canal State Park and Canal CommissionKingston Lock: History Preserved in our center display room (Charlie Dieterich and Peter Shell, too)
Our North Room has a display on Kingston’s Main Street and several other items (and refreshments.)
Map of Kingston and Canal Area with Lock-Tender’s House (arrow)
