TRENTON, NJ – The William Trent House Museum, in association with the Trent House Association, is hosting an all-day program on Saturday, August 26, to commemorate the significant days in late August and early September 1781 when thousands of Continental and French troops camped in and around Trenton.
The event marks the third annual re-enactment of this pivotal moment in history, where the Continental Army under General Washington and the allied French Army under General Rochambeau began their march to lay siege to the British garrison in New York City. Plans changed during the march, and the armies instead aimed for the defeat of British General Cornwallis in Virginia, leading to their encampment in Trenton.
Saturday’s program will include re-enactors from the French Le Regiment Bourbonnais, the “Black Regiment” – the 1st Rhode Island Continental Regiment, and the Continental Lamb’s Artillery Regiment. Various townspeople, including the local schoolmaster, town blacksmith, and doctor, will also be represented. Visitors can observe soldiers setting up camp, drilling, and engaging with the townspeople in a marketplace setting.
Additionally, Dr. Robert Selig, a renowned historian of the Washington-Rochambeau campaign, will present informal talks at 11 am and 3 pm, offering insights into the planning and execution of this major military operation.
The event provides an opportunity for adults and children alike to delve into an essential chapter of American history, experiencing the encampment’s sights and sounds. More information and details about the program can be found on the William Trent House Museum website. It’s an educational and engaging way to connect with the past in the very place where history was made.