It’s still 2026, and there continue to be historically themed events and activities offered in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence, leading all the way to Patriot’s Week at the end of December. Such events can be found in nearby towns and, of course, right here in Ewing!
A Colonial Faire will be held in Ewing on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the beautiful grounds of the historic Benjamin Temple House at Drake Farm Park, 27 Federal City Road, Ewing. This event is free and open to the public.
Hosted by the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society and the Ewing Township 250th Committee, this will be a memorable opportunity to learn about life in the 18th century from exhibitors and vendors. Volunteers, college students and Ewing High School students will be participating, too.
Exhibits at the Faire will include:
- Reenactors representing the Revolutionary soldiers of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, the only Black and Indigenous regiment with the Continental Army, making their inaugural appearance in Ewing
- A master weaver who spins wool on an antique spinning wheel
- A professional fiddler playing famous American music
- An antique cider press in action, provided by Howell Living History Farm
- 18th-century children’s games and activities
- Opportunities to take a mini-tour of the 1750 Benjamin Temple House
- A master woodworker using antique tools to create things
- A gardener showing summer flowers and vegetables in the kitchen garden
- Odd-looking old tools and utensils to try to identify
In addition, there will be vendors selling wonderful handmade items and beautiful blooming fall plants that will be available for purchase.
This event is supported in part by a grant from the Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and is receiving logistical support from Ewing Township.
Accessible parking and accessible portable toilets are on-site. The event is outdoors, with free parking on the property. In case of steady rain, it will be moved to Hollowbrook Community Center. For more information, see ethps.org or email info@ethps.org. The Faire promises to be an enjoyable and educational day.
In the meantime, I include, as promised, another quick snapshot of one of the individuals highlighted in our Patriots Alive tours held in June and July. This month we feature Benjamin Moore, born in 1718 in Birmingham, now known as West Trenton. He served briefly in Capt. Scott’s Company, 2nd Regiment of the Hunterdon Militia.
Although by 1776 he had aged out of military service, he did meet the great Gen. George Washington himself!
Moore’s home was on the main road through Birmingham, now Bear Tavern Road/Grand Avenue. Early in the morning on Dec. 26, 1776, there was likely some muffled noise outside, and when he looked out into the cold, wet morning to see what was going on, he saw Washington and the troops on their way to Trenton to surprise the Hessians.
Washington, Sullivan and Greene had briefly stopped and were organizing their plans to divide and take two different routes. Moore went out and offered the general some food and a hot drink for warmth and endurance. I’m told that the tray on which the food was offered is still a treasured family heirloom.
Moore died in 1792 and is buried in Ewing Church Cemetery.
But for now, I hope you have the opportunity to attend the Colonial Faire on Saturday, Sept. 12, or to participate in the Crossroads of the American Revolution Bike Ride from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, which will pass right through Birmingham. Enjoy!
Helen Kull is an adviser with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.
