Morven Hosts Princeton 1776 Fest on Saturday, October 3, 2026

Step back in time 250 years into Revolutionary Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ, UNITED STATES, September 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- On Saturday, October 3rd, Morven Museum & Garden hosts Princeton 1776 Fest, a multi-sensory immersive event for all ages to explore life in Princeton during the American Revolution. With hands-on activities, historical demonstrations and displays, live music, food and drink, and costumed reenactors, from the moment visitors arrive they will be engaged in the experience of everyday colonial life. This one-day-only event is a collaboration between the Princeton Battlefield Society, Historical Society of Princeton, the Princeton Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), and Morven.

Throughout the grounds, visitors can play colonial lawn games with townspeople (watch out for a goat and chickens!) and join soldiers in singing tavern songs. They may even ask historical figures like Dr. Benjamin Rush about his role as Surgeon General of the Continental Army and Benjamin Franklin about signing the Declaration of Independence. There will be demonstrations of crafts and cidermaking (with tasty samples), plus displays of historic costumes as well as tools and apothecary supplies from how medicine was practiced.

There will be hands-on activities to enjoy from community partners, which include Historical Society of Princeton (hosting open archives and an archaeological dig activity), League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area, The Old Barracks Museum, Princeton Public Library, Rockingham State Historic Site, Sand Hill Historical Association, Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, and the West Windsor Historical Society.

The Princeton Battlefield Society will also unveil their sprawling diorama of the Battle of Princeton, General George Washington’s crucial victory that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. The Princeton Chapter of the DAR will display a new exhibition titled “The Legacy of the Revolution: Building a More Perfect Union.”

All day, there will be live music on the museum’s front lawn from the Ragtime Relics (playing historic American folk songs and bluegrass) and John Burkhalter of the Practitioners of Musick (playing period music from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries). Guests are invited to bring a blanket and/or chairs to sit, relax, and eat. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. McCaffrey’s Food Markets will have a varied selection on offer, including vegetarian options, ranging from burgers and hotdogs to pre-made sandwiches and salads, as well as desserts and beverages.

Triumph Brewing Company will be on site with two special offerings: Ironbound Cider and their Triumph ʼ76 Ale, created especially for the occasion! As an ale, the beer has British roots, and was designed with a 7.6% ABV from a blend of Liberty, Centennial, and Triumph hops. Only a couple of kegs will be available.

Morven’s museum will be open with half-priced admission during the run of the event, 12-3 pm (a ticket to Princeton 1776 Fest is required). On view is the special 250th exhibition Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey, featuring over 100 extraordinary historic objects related to the five men who signed the Declaration of Independence for New Jersey.

Attendees can save $5 by purchasing tickets to Princeton 1776 Fest online in advance. Tickets: $10 General Admission (advance registration); $15 General Admission (at the door); FREE for kids ages 12 & under and active military or veterans (with ID). Order at https://www.morven.org/events/princeton-1776-fest

In the event of rain, the event will take place the following day—Sunday, October 4, from 12-3 pm.

Erika Byrnison
Historic Morven, Inc.
+1 609-924-8144
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