The Pennington Parks & Recreation Commission will host the 2023 Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29 starting at 11:00 am at 425 S. Main Street. For new parade route and parade on-looker information, please visit the Pennington Parks & Recreation Facebook page.

We are pleased to share that the tradition of the Hopewell Borough Memorial Day parade will continue this year! Hopewell Borough's annual Memorial Day Parade is one of the oldest Memorial Day parades in the USA. We hope you will come out and enjoy one of the many events that makes Hopewell special.

We often think about famous figures like George Washington and John Hart when we think about the Hopewell Valley in the late 18th century, but what about the average person that worked a job or a trade just like any of us today? These other figures helped support the community, the economy and gave a richness to life to those living here in the Valley.

Come out to the Hopewell Museum on May 25th and see some of the typical tradespeople that allowed Hopewell to run 250 years ago. 

Did you know that George Washington’s army spent most of the war in New Jersey where it was supplied by local farmers, including those of Hopewell Township, with farm products and other supplies to help keep it in the field. Each man in Hopewell between the ages of 16 and 50 struggled to do his regular full-time job, most were farmers, while also serving in the part-time militia, a duty that often took them away from Hopewell. The Delaware River, and Johnson’s Ferry, became involved in several key events involving local people, not just the very famous crossing. Later, Washington marched his army through Hopewell in June 1778 and held an important council of war, leading to the Battle of Monmouth, with his officers at a house in today’s Hopewell Borough. Join with local author and historian Larry Kidder as he tells the story of how local geography influenced the many ways the people of Hopewell contributed to and had their lives changed by the American Revolution. 

So common as to be barely mentioned in books on architecture, the Foursquare house is an American icon of the early 20th century. From about 1900 into the1930’s it was one of the most common types of house built in this country, but only relatively recently has its importance and distinctive character been recognized.  

At least 52 of these houses still stand in Hopewell Borough today, most of them probably built between 1910 and 1930.  Only 11 are shown on the 1912 Sanborn Map.
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So why are there so many of these houses? What are their defining features? Could you buy one from Sears?  Who built them and lived in them, and what does that tell us about early 20th century Hopewell?

This program highlights significant Revolutionary War sites in Hopewell which were essential to General Washington’s successful recapture of the Jerseys from the British. His campaign began with Washington’s Landing in the Park and led through Hopewell at the Hillside encampment, and on to victory at the Battle of Monmouth.

The Hopewell Valley Historical Society
Sunday, May 19, 2024 - 3:00 to 5:30 pm
Hopewell Valley Golf and Country Club

Refreshments by Chez Alice • Cash Bar Available 
Performance by Con Brio, Hopewell Valley’s premier A Cappella group 
 
Space is limited • Please respond by May 8 
All reservations are $50 per person 

Explore the Native American pottery of present-day Hopewell Valley! Families will learn about the history of Lenape pottery and create Lenape-inspired pots to take home. Registration required. Recommended for ages 5+.

The Pennington African Cemetery will be hosting the annual Memorial Day Service on Monday May 29 at 12:30pm. Enjoy prayer, poetry and peace as we pay our respects to deceased veterans, and remember the contributions of the early settlers of our community.

The Stoutsburg Cemetery Association will be hosting their annual Memorial Day Service on the grounds of the cemetery located off Province Line Road in Hopewell Township, NJ. In the event of rain, this will be held (same date, same time) at Second Calvary Baptist Church, 69 Columbia Avenue, Hopewell. Steeped in rich history, the Stoutsburg Cemetery Association was officially founded as a burial ground for African American residents and veterans in 1858. 

This year’s guest speaker will be Algernon “Algie” Ward. Algie is a retired Research Scientist from the New Jersey Department of Health and Environmental Laboratories. He is a widely respected community activist who currently serves as President and Founding Member of the 6th Regiment United States Colored Troops, Civil War and 1st Rhode Island Regiment Revolutionary War Reenactors. He is also a member of the Glover’s Marbleheaders Company B and the Ebony Doughboys World War I reenacting units.

On Saturday May 27, from 10 am to 2 pm, the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) will welcome visitors to our home at the National Historic Register—listed Mt. Zion AME Church and the historic True Farmstead. This rain or shine event is free and open to the public.

Visit the True Farmstead for a new exhibit on William Stives, a Revolutionary War veteran and early Black farmer on the Sourland Mountain; view SSAAM’s music history exhibit “From Fiddlers to Jazz Bands: African American Music of the Sourlands” at the church; and explore our African American Heritage Garden! Learn more at: SSAAM.

Meet at the north entrance to the St. Michael's Preserve and join Rick Klevze on a walking tour of the preserve, including the land farmed by the Klevze family. Rick will explain the history of the farm, its relationship to the St. Michael's orphanage, as well has his close family link to the land. Klevze's grandfather, Charles Murphy, came to St Michael’s as an orphan in 1902. His grandmother, Mary Fish arrived between 1909 and 1920. They became caretaker and cook respectively. His mother, Catherine was raised on the farm. In 1949, his father, Frank Klevze, was sponsored by the Catholic Church and emigrated to the US where he was placed at St. Michael’s to work the farm. He operated a dairy there until 1976 and then livestock and field crops until 1997. Sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society.

Rick Klevze is a lifelong area resident who was raised on and worked the St. Michael's farm until 1997. He is currently employed by Growmark FS as a Certified Professional Agronomist and Certified Crops Advisor, where he has worked for 43 years. Klevze serves on the Farm Credit East Customer Service Council and is a member of the MidAtlantic CCA exam writing committee for the American Society of Agronomy.

The tour will meet at the north entrance to the St. Michael's Preserve, past First Street just outside of Hopewell Borough. Parking is limited at the preserve, with overflow parking at the Hopewell Elementary School, 35 Princeton Avenue.

Larry Kidder tells the story of the changing nature of agriculture that led to changes in rural life in the early 20th century. Changing opportunities in in local towns and cities, combined with a focus on celebrating rural life and finding ways to make farming a viable lifestyle, led to the creation of educational opportunities for all ages and especially the young. The 4-H programs that we know today grew out of that movement. Larry discusses the Pleasant Valley Calf Club and its community-wide, summer agricultural fairs, which were held at the rural schoolhouse in the center of the Valley during the 1920s. Today, the Mercer County 4-H Fair is held in central Pleasant Valley near where those early Calf Club Fairs were held.

​William L. (Larry) Kidder has been a volunteer at the Howell Living History Farm part of the Mercer County Park System, in Hopewell, New Jersey where he has served as an historian, interpreter, and draft horse teamster. He is an avid member of the Association for Living History, Farm, and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM). Larry is the author of five books focusing on the American Revolution in the Mercer County region and is active in historical societies in Ewing (past president), Hopewell (also a past president), and Lawrence townships. Visit his website, wlkidderhistorian.com.

Co-sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society, The Hopewell Museum, and the Hopewell Branch of the Mercer County Library. Space is limited. Registration required. Register at the following link: History of the Mercer Co. 4-H Fair. Register for the online presentation via Zoom: Mercer Co. 4-H.

Join William L. Kidder, Catherine Granzow, and Sarah Mezzino—local experts in historical agriculture, hearth cooking, and decorative arts—for a “show and tell” about antique farm tools, kitchen gadgets, and serving ware. The program will feature objects from The Hopewell Museum, Howell Living History Farm, and the Granzow personal collection. The event will be held outdoors, behind the the Hopewell Museum at 28 East Broad Street, Hopewell Borough, weather permitting. Please park on the street. Disabled parking spaces available in the parking lot.

Mr. Kidder is a retired history teacher and past president of Hopewell Valley Historical Society. He is a well known author of local and regional history, with several works on the history of the Pleasant Valley region of Hopewell Township and the Revolutionary War. A longtime volunteer at Howell Living History Farm, “Larry” knows his farm tools!

Ms. Granzow is the current president of Hopewell Valley Historical Society

Ms. Mezzino, a member of the Hopewell Museum Board of Trustees, is Curator of Decorative Arts & Design at The Stephan Archives of The Lawrenceville School.

The Niederer family has been connected to the land of Hopewell Valley for over 100 years. In 2010, Jess Niederer continued this legacy when she started Chickadee Creek Farm. Join us on the farm for a talk exploring her family’s involvement in Hopewell’s agricultural past and present. A farm tour and Q&A will follow. Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library. Registration Required. Register at the following link: Chickadee Creek Farm Tour.

Jess Niederer graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Natural Resources. After stints in conservation biology, ornithology, disaster relief, and development work, Jess realized that she wanted to be the next generation of Niederer farmers and started Chickadee Creek in 2010. Along with her team, Jess grows certified organic vegetables, flowers and herbs on her family farm with an eye to sustainability and community-based agriculture.

The Stoutsburg Cemetery Association will be hosting their annual Memorial Day Service on the grounds of the cemetery located off Province Line Road in Hopewell Township, NJ. In the event of rain, this will be held (same date, same time) at Second Calvary Baptist Church, 69 Columbia Avenue, Hopewell.

This year, the Stoutsburg Cemetery Association is pleased to announce that we will be graced with the talent of Sergeant First Class (Retired) Donald Francisco, a History Interpreter & The Resident Fifer at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, where he educates guests about George Washington, his family and the slave community. Sgt. Francisco performs gospel, classical, colonial jazz, folk and a few standards on various flutes, fifes, penny whistles and panpipes. He has traveled extensively performing nationally and internationally for 30 years.

Join our local archeological experts at the Hopewell Museum as we explore the tools and technologies of the American Indians of the Hopewell Valley—9,000 years ago to today. We'll highlight the skill and artistry of the Native American Indians of Hopewell Valley by examining the many types of stone tools they have left behind. This multipart program will include a discussion of the Hopewell Museum's American Indian Collection, a demonstration of Native American tool-making by a nationally known expert, and our “Arrowhead Roadshow” where you can bring your personal artifacts for identification by experts! All parts of this program are suitable older children ages 9 and up as well as adults.

During the 3:15 to 4:00 pm portion of this program, join us at the Hopewell Museum for “The Arrowhead Roadshow.” Help the Museum with its research! Do you have any American Indian artifacts and tools in your personal collection? Our archeological experts will identify them for you! If you are willing and able to share the locations where the artifacts were found, you can further add to our research and knowledge of American Indian life in the Hopewell Valley. A few things to note about this part of the program:

• It is Hopewell Museum policy not to provide cash evaluations of artifacts

• While the Hopewell Museum welcomes new donations that meet our collections policies, donation is in no way a requirement for this free identification service!

Join Eric Holtermann and Jack Davis of the Pennington Borough Historic Preservation Commission for a 60-minute walking tour of Pennington’s Historic District. During the tour, Eric, an architect and preservationist, will offer insight into the district’s buildings, periods, and styles, while Jack, a local history researcher, will add historical context about the town and people.

The tour is free. The walk will take about one hour, and will cover 1 mile. You will receive additional info upon registration. Wear comfortable shoes. ​

Two tours are being offered. Please register using the appropriate registration link:

Tour 1: 2:00 to 3:00

Tour 2: 3:30 – 4:30

Join our local archeological experts at the Hopewell Museum as we explore the tools and technologies of the American Indians of the Hopewell Valley—9,000 years ago to today. We'll highlight the skill and artistry of the Native American Indians of Hopewell Valley by examining the many types of stone tools they have left behind. This multipart program will include a discussion of the Hopewell Museum's American Indian Collection, a demonstration of Native American tool-making by a nationally known expert, and our “Arrowhead Roadshow” where you can bring your personal artifacts for identification by experts! All parts of this program are suitable older children ages 9 and up as well as adults.

In the 1:45 to 3:15 pm portion of this program we’ll feature a demonstration of stone tool-making from local argillite stone. New Jersey archaeologist and stone-tool expert Jack Cresson will demonstrate how to make ancient stone tools, mostly using the argillite stone that is widely available in the Hopewell Valley area. This material was widely used by American Indians for thousands of years. Location: The Hopewell Museum back yard. Seating limited to 25 participants, registration required at the following link: Native American Tool Making

Join our local archeological experts at the Hopewell Museum as we explore the tools and technologies of the American Indians of the Hopewell Valley—9,000 years ago to today. We'll highlight the skill and artistry of the Native American Indians of Hopewell Valley by examining the many types of stone tools they have left behind. This multipart program will include a discussion of the Hopewell Museum's American Indian Collection, a demonstration of Native American tool-making by a nationally known expert, and our “Arrowhead Roadshow” where you can bring your personal artifacts for identification by experts! All parts of this program are suitable older children ages 9 and up as well as adults.

At the 1:00 to 1:45 pm portion of the program, we’ll feature the Hopewell Museum’s local American Indian Collection. Location: Hill Gallery of the Hopewell Museum.

Howell Farm will be making hay while the sun shines on Saturday, May 28. In addition to the horse-powered mowing, raking, and gathering hay typical of the farm's nominal 1900 time period, hand tools like scythes, rakes, and forks will be at work as we show how farmers put up forage for their animals' sustenance in wintertime. For more information: https://howellfarm.org/haying-hayrides/

Celebrate Hopewell Valley Heritage making wampum bracelets at the Hopewell Branch. The Lenni Lenape used wampum beads (which are typically made from quahog shells) in ceremonies, as diplomatic gifts, and for trading with the Europeans. We'll be using pony beads to make our own wampum bracelets! Suggested for children, ages 7 and older. Space is limited; registration is required. Register here: Wampum Bracelets.

Celebrate Hopewell Valley Heritage making wampum bracelets at the Hopewell Branch. The Lenni Lenape used wampum beads (which are typically made from quahog shells) in ceremonies, as diplomatic gifts, and for trading with the Europeans. We'll be using pony beads to make our own wampum bracelets! Suggested for children, ages 7 and older. Space is limited; registration is required. Register here: Wampum Bracelets.

Architecture historian Robert W. Craig will draw on his extensive research and experience with the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office to present a picture of the building of “old" Hunterdon County, including Hopewell and the Trenton/Ewing area. Craig's work work is well known to the historic preservation community. In this virtual, online presentation, he will discuss his work researching and documenting New Jersey’s historic architecture and the building tradesmen of the mid-atlantic region in the 18th century. Craig was was the editor of the book Down Jersey, From Bayshore to Seashore. In 2018, he completed a multi-year study of New Jersey’s patterned brickwork buildings for which he received the Paul E. Buchanan Award from the Vernacular Architecture Forum.

Registration required. Register at the following link: They Will Build It, If You Come

Join historian Larry Kidder in this online, virtual talk about the the story of Jacob Francis. Jacob was born free in Amwell Township, served as an indentured servant to age 21, served in the Continental Army – including the Battle of Trenton and New Jersey militia, then established himself against all odds as a successful farmer. He interacted with many enslaved people, including the woman he married and set free, and helped his son develop skills to be an important abolitionist seeking not just an end to enslavement, but also racial equality. Throughout his life, Jacob developed many physical and mental skills needed to overcome the racist obstacles that society placed in his path. The life of Jacob Francis and the family he created with his wife Mary, richly illustrates how human beings often have to reach deeply and persistently to acquire and use important skills. Sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society. Space is limited. Registration required at the following link: Skills Developed by a Free Hunterdon County Black Man.

Join Doug Dixon of the Hopewell Valley History Project on a walking tour of Seminary Avenue. Doug will share the stories of the people and businesses that helped a small village grow into a prosperous town.

The one block of Seminary Avenue coming off of East Broad Street in Hopewell Borough is an unassuming street with no architecturally distinguished homes, or well-known buildings, or historical markers. But once it was opened around 1880 after the arrival of the railroad, Seminary Avenue became a “starter street” for the borough of Hopewell, a place to find subdivided buildings with apartments and storefronts where young families and small businesses could establish themselves and grow and prosper. Seminary helped launch civic institutions and supported thriving town businesses serving the many needs of the borough and the greater Hopewell Valley. Grocer, shoe repair, barber, and auto repair are just some of the businesses and services that made their mark on Hopewell. This small avenue continues this role in Hopewell today. Join us to learn more about the big impact of this small avenue.

The tour will gather off East Broad and cover the short stretch of Seminary Avenue, then proceed two more blocks down East Broad and South Greenwood, ending at the Hopewell Gazebo Park. Registration encouraged. Register here: Seminary Avenue. Cosponsored by the Hopewell Public Library.

Help kick-of Hopewell Valley Heritage Week and join local craftspeople and demonstrators for a trade fair in early American arts and crafts. The fair will take place in Washington Crossing State Park Rt. 546, Titusville, NJ. Free ice cream from Johnson Family Ice Cream! Sponsored by Washing Crossing Park-NJ.

Directions: Main entrance is on Route 546 / Washington Crossing Pennington Road. Enter, go straight, then turn left towards the Visitors Center. We are setting up at the red star, between the parking lot and the Visitor’s Center. Sponsored by Washington Crossing Park-NJ. Download the flyer for more information.