Join us for The Jersey Apple Gathering at Princeton Battlefield State Park
November 15th, 2026 from 1-4pm
500 Mercer Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Free and Open to the Public! Please RSVP and let us know you are coming through this link!
This gathering celebrates apples, orchards, cider, and culinary history in New Jersey. We are highlighting the planting of the new William Clarke Commemorative Orchard at Princeton Battlefield State Park, which is part of an overarching landscape rehabilitation project taking shape at the park. Come learn about this new initiative and how you can become one of the park’s future orchard stewards. This event is a partnership between Princeton Battlefield State Park and the Event and Program Management class in the Department of American Studies at Rutgers University.
The afternoon will feature activities, talks, and music
All Afternoon In the Activity Tent by the Clarke House:
American Battlefield Trust, and Stach Preservation Landscape Architects and Planners
The Princeton Battlefield Society presents their magnificent diorama of the Battle, 18th Century Landscape, and Orchard
Sustainable Princeton – Connect with the Battlefield Bio-Blitz
Historical Society of Princeton – Activities from their exhibit “Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution”
Mark Turdo, Pommel Cyder – Talks and Demonstrations on 18th Century Cider Making
Apple Tastings and Orchard Care with Ashley Asdal, Riamede Farm and Fran McManus, Jersey Apple Historian – Ironbound Cider, ttps://www.ironboundhardcider.com/newark-cider-apples
Wade Catts, South River Heritage Consulting – Archeology of the Battlefield
More Activities including: Apple Cookbook Zines, Scavenger Hunt, Games, and Writing your 18th Century Tavern Toast!
Schedule of Music, Tours, and Talks on the Clarke House Porch:
1:00pm – Music with Princeton Hup! Irish Session
1:15 – Tour of the Battlefield with Site Director Will Krakower
2:00 – Introduction to the Commemorative Orchard with Fran McManus,
2:15 – Sustainable Princeton – Reports on the Battlefield Bio-Blitz
2:30 – Music with Princeton Hup! Irish Session
2:30 – Tour of the Historic Landscape and Commemorative Orchard with Rutgers Student Researchers
3:15 – Mark Turdo, Pommel Cyder – 18th Century Cider Making
3:30 – Tree Care Tips and Planning of the Commemorative Orchard with Ashley Asdal, Riamede Farm
3:45 – The Toasting Challenge – Finalists
For information about our previous Jersey Apple Gathering in 2024 following this link!
