When you walk the streets of Trenton, you are following in the footsteps of giants. Men like George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Monroe have all at one point traversed our very community. As residents of the Capital City, we have the distinct privilege of inhabiting a center of history, with some of our nation’s most consequential moments occurring right in our very town. And with Patriots’ Week now officially underway, the Trenton City Museum welcomes you to uncover some of the thrilling moments of Trenton’s past.
On Friday, December 29th, you are invited to the Trenton City Museum for an engaging afternoon of exploration, “24 Cannon: A Patriots’ Week Talk”. The event will begin at 1pm at the Ellarslie Mansion, located at 299 Parkside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08606. If you do plan on attending, there is plenty of free parking available for visitors. Throughout the afternoon, guests will have the opportunity to dive into two of history’s most famed men, Alexander Hamilton and James Monroe, and how these two figures played a role in the Battle of Trenton. Your host for the afternoon is David Bosted, a Trenton Museum Society Trustee as well as an Urban Planner.
The “24 Cannon” talk will discuss Hamilton and Monroe’s role in the Battle of Trenton, specifically in regards to their contribution in aligning artillery. Per David Posted, “By placing each infantry unit and each piece of cannon on a large tabletop map, we can follow the movements of individual fighting units. This will make clear the actual sequence of events in Trent-town on the snowy morning of December 26, 1776, and refute some fallacies.”
This thrilling afternoon invites a fresh look into the Battle of Trenton and how these two legends of history played a part in executing the sneak attack that would ultimately turn the tides of the Revolutionary War. From Hamilton’s command at the beginning of the Battle of Trenton to James Monroe’s stunning display of bravery in battle, this conversation will provide a unique perspective of this crucial moment in the Capital City. The Battle will come to life as visitors have the opportunity to peruse a number of historical items, including 19th century Hessian andirons.
This fascinating conversation is a part of this year’s Patriots’ Week programing. Patriots Week is a week-long living history celebration, inviting visitors from near and far to see Trenton transformed as sites all over town celebrate the community’s role in the Revolutionary War and beyond. This event has become renowned throughout the region for its engaging hands-on events, including the beloved battle reenactment, which is back in full force for the first time since the pandemic. For more information on this and other upcoming Patriots Week festivities, please visit their website, linked here: Patriots Week – Home.
If you have any questions prior to the talk, please contact the Trenton City Museum at (609) 989-1191 or info@ellarslie.org for additional assistance. The 24 Cannon talk is certain to be a blast, so be certain to mark your calendars now!
