Patriots Week 2022 Features NEW Event: ‘A Revolutionary Conversation’

Sprout U students share stories, perspectives of African Americans during Revolution

Trenton NJ —  Patriots Week  2022 will introduce a new event transforming the Trenton Free Public Library into a “living museum” as students from Sprout U School of the Arts share perspectives of African Americans on the Revolutionary War and its meaning for enslaved people during a free community event from 3-5 pm Tuesday Dec. 27, 2022.

Patriots Week returns in 2022 to celebrate Trenton’s pivotal role in the Revolutionary War from December 26-31 with daily events throughout downtown, including a Trenton Battlefield walking tour, musket demonstrations at the Old Barracks Museum, a pub crawl, a Fire Walk along the Assunpink Creek, a New Year’s Eve bonfire at Trent House – and more! For a complete list of events visit www.patriotsweek.com

“We are so excited about participating,” said Danielle Miller-Winrow, headmaster of Sprout U School of the Arts.

“A Revolutionary Conversation: Whose history and whose freedom, anyway?” will feature Trenton students portraying real-life African-Americans who lived during the Revolutionary War and were excluded from the ideals espoused by founding fathers that “all men are created equal” and “endowed with certain inalienable rights…”

Students selected characters from biographies featured in the book Answering the Cry for Freedom by Gretchen Woelfle. Library visitors will receive a free copy of the book.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this experience to our community,” said Rebecca FrancoMartin, director of the Trenton Free Public Library.

“We invite the public to join us to hear stories of African Americans living during the Revolutionary War — as continental soldiers, loyalists, slaves and citizens — and discuss how our community can interpret our shared history in ways that respect our shared ideals of equality.”

This free event is funded by a community history grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities to the Old Mill Hill Society. This event is indoors and masks are encouraged.

Patriots Week, a collaboration among Trenton Downtown Association, the City of Trenton and local nonprofit groups, tells the story of what happened after George Washington and his Continental troops crossed the Delaware River to surprise Hessian soldiers fighting for the British while housed at barracks in Trenton.

The traditional celebration resumes this year after events were canceled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Patriots Week rebounds for 2022, we are proud to offer several events throughout the week as we plan to return to full glory with Battle of Trenton re-enactments expected to return next year.