Spring is blooming with History

Crocuses in the yard of Randy and Debbie Niederer in Titusville.

In the late 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer opened his epic Canterbury Tales setting the scene for an early spring pilgrimage by describing the drought of March leading to April showers and flowers. (Somehow later the saying became April showers and May flowers.) Six hundred years and a few thousand miles apart, this still aptly describes the Hopewell Valley's anticipation for spring! We are ready to go out and about!

We are so lucky to have in our Valley, the incomparable Local Historian Larry Kidder. (If you missed his talk about Washington's Crossing last fall, you can find it here. Larry, a long time volunteer at Howell Living History Farm has committed to appear every Saturday in 2026 at 1pm to review what was going on in the lives of ordinary people in Pleasant Valley 250 years ago as war came to Hopewell. This is a pretty new way of looking at history - you used to only be told about the "Great Men." Historians like Larry are invaluable in making history real so don't miss this opportunity to relate to the people who helped us become a free nation. Read more about it here.

In April, we have two fun things to look forward to:

First, April 8, Nancy Kennedy will present "This Sacred Soil" telling the often-overlooked stories of women during the American Revolution. Find out more about it here.

We also are excited about Hopewell Township's first-ever Restaurant Week April 13-19. Not history-themed but its a great opportunity to try a new restaurant or two and talk about what you've learned from Larry and Nancy!

In May, mark your calendars for

May 6 ~ The HVHS Archives - Recent Acquisitions. The program, presented by archive consultant Katie Chase, will provide an overview of the mission of the HVHS and how it is fulfilled by the archive collections .

May 16 ~ Pennington Day

TBA ~ The Hopewell Valley Historical Society 50th Anniversary Book "Stories of Hopewell Valley" reveal party. I have seen the book and it is gorgeous and amazing. The Book Committee has been working HARD on this for nearly 4 years and it shows! We do expect to have a copy to look at and a pre-order sheet available at Pennington Day.

And then things really start to heat up. The Washington Crossing State Park anticipates that its new Visitors' Center will be completed in June; Trenton has all kinds of things planned for the 4th and the 8th and we hear that the Titusville Parade will be even better than ever and Hopewell Valley Heritage Week will return September 12-18.

ICYMI: Ian Burrow's talk "If New England We Conquer, Old England's Undone" is up on youtube. You can find it here