What an incredible evening in Princeton!
A packed house joined me at Morven Museum & Garden for “A Revolutionary Road Trip Passes Through Princeton,” a special event inspired by my book, Revolutionary Road Trip: Hidden Stories from America’s Founding Journey.
It was especially meaningful to bring these stories back to a place that played such an important role in the American Revolution. Princeton is filled with history, from the grounds of Princeton Battlefield to Nassau Hall and Morven itself, but so many of the people and stories connected to these landmarks remain unfamiliar.
That is exactly what Revolutionary Road Trip is about: traveling to the places where history happened, meeting the people who help preserve it, and uncovering stories that deserve to be shared.
Beginning the Evening On Screen
Before our discussion, guests watched a screening of my Travels with Darley episode, “New Jersey Revolutionary Road Trip Part I.”
Seeing the episode with an audience in Princeton, surrounded by many of the people and places connected to the story, made the screening even more special. The episode takes viewers through pivotal Revolutionary War sites and introduces the local experts who bring this history to life.
Guests also enjoyed wine from Unionville Vineyards, including a selection with a fitting Revolutionary theme for the evening.
Sharing Princeton’s Hidden Revolutionary Stories
Following the screening, I was honored to join a wonderful panel of historians and cultural experts:
Beth Allan, Deputy Director and Curator of Morven Museum & Garden
Leslie Bramlett, Historical Interpreter at the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton
Will Krakower, Resource Interpretive Specialist at Princeton Battlefield State Park
Our conversation was moderated by Dan Linke, University Archivist and Deputy Head of Special Collections at Princeton University.
Each panelist brought a unique perspective to the discussion, from the experiences of soldiers and civilians in Trenton to the Battle of Princeton, the history of Morven, and the role of Princeton University during the Revolutionary era.
The conversation reinforced something I discovered again and again while researching and filming Revolutionary Road Trip: some of the most compelling stories in American history are hiding in plain sight.
A Lively Conversation With the Princeton Community
The evening continued with a lively Q&A and thoughtful discussion with the audience. We talked about lesser-known figures from the Revolution, the importance of preserving historic places, and how visiting these locations can help us better understand the people and events that shaped the country.
I loved hearing the questions, personal connections, and additional stories shared throughout the evening. History is not static. It becomes more meaningful when we gather together, ask questions, exchange perspectives, and continue exploring.
A Sold-Out Book Table
Labyrinth Books, Princeton’s independent bookstore located across from Nassau Hall and Princeton University, was on hand to sell copies of Revolutionary Road Trip. I was thrilled to learn that they sold out!
Thank you to everyone who purchased a book, stayed to have it signed, and shared where your own Revolutionary road trips might take you next. Meeting readers and hearing which stories and destinations resonate with them is one of my favorite parts of this book tour.
Thank You, Princeton
This special evening was presented by the Princeton Public Library’s Public Humanities Initiative in partnership with Morven Museum & Garden, the Historical Society of Princeton, and the Princeton Battlefield Society.
Thank you to our panelists and moderator, to Labyrinth Books and Unionville Vineyards, and to everyone who helped bring the screening and conversation together. Most of all, thank you to everyone who filled the room with curiosity, insightful questions, and an enthusiasm for uncovering the hidden stories of the American Revolution.
Princeton was an important stop during America’s founding journey, and it was an unforgettable stop on my Revolutionary Road Trip book tour.
