Princeton Magazine | Celebrating the Heritage of Princeton, New Jersey

Sculptors Shape Fall Exhibits at Michener Art Museum

Head of Victory by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

How did the careers of two preeminent sculptors of the Gilded Age intersect, and what was the significance? The Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa., now presents “Monuments and Myths: The America of Sculptors Augustus Sant-Gaudens and Daniell Chester French,” on view through January 5.

Daniel Chester French (1850–1931) and Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848–1907) were friends and sometimes rivals who transformed sculpture in the U.S. They produced dozens of the nation’s most recognizable public artworks, including French’s Seated Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Saint-Gaudens’s Diana, which graced the top of Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“Monuments and Myths” features approximately 70 sculptures, models, maquettes, and more drawn from the collections of the two artists’ historic homes. more

Art All Night Brings Community Art Gallery to Trenton June 29-30

Art All Night Trenton, the capital city’s signature 24-hour annual community art gallery, will transform its new home — the Trenton War Memorial on Memorial Drive — into a hub of artistic expression featuring local artists, live music, interactive workshops, and more.

In-person programming will take place at the War Memorial building on Saturday, June 29 from 3 p.m. to midnight, and again on Sunday, June 30 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the overnight hours, the in-person event will close and a virtual component and online art gallery will take center stage via the Art All Night website and social media channels. more

Public Speaking and Debate Summer Camp at PPL

During this season of pre-election political debates, rising fifth to ninth graders can learn the basics of debate and public speaking under the guidance of experienced high school student debaters. Both beginner and experienced debaters can sign up for a weeklong Princeton Public Library (PPL) program that starts on June 24. Students will learn research and analytical skills that will extend beyond debate, and can also be helpful in future class presentations and essay writing.

The five sessions, which run through Friday June 28, are in the STEAM Studio Story Room. Hours are 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. daily except Friday. Friday’s program, the final debate, starts at 2 p.m. and is open to family and friends. more

Gloves Off for Old-Time Baseball Game

Batter up on Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a look back at America’s favorite pastime when the Princeton Historical Society presents its annual vintage baseball game.

The game between the Flemington Neshanock and the Monmouth Furnace teams will take place at Greenway Meadows Park, 275 Rosedale Road. The competitive match of barehanded baseball using 1864 rules (no gloves) will also feature period uniforms.

The event is free; registration is not required. Spectators are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chair, and stop by for an inning or the whole game. After the game they are welcome to try out the authentic replicas of the 19^th-century equipment. more

Chamber Concerts Enhance Sounds of Summer

(Photo by Lara St John)

The sounds of summer are enhanced by the musical notes of the Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts, which continue in June and July at Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall, on the Princeton University campus. The concerts are free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available one week before each concert, after 10 a.m., through tickets.princeton.edu.

In its 57th season PUSCC’s mission expands summer cultural and educational opportunities by presenting world-class chamber ensembles. Melissa Bohl is committee chair and artistic director. more

Celebrate Juneteenth at Area Events

Celebrate Juneteenth with activities at local venues including Morven Museum and Garden, the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, and Washington Crossing Park. The observance commemorates that it took until June 19, 1865 for Union troops to arrive in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863. more

Dancing Under the Stars for Wellness and Pleasure

Dance under the stars with members of the Central New Jersey Dance Society, who will demonstrate basic steps and lead an evening of dance to recorded music of all kinds.

The event takes place at Hinds Plaza from 7 to 10 p.m. on Fridays — June 7 and 21, July 5 and 19, August 9 and 23, and September 13 and 27. more

Look for Princeton Alumni and Lewis Center Faces on the Tony Awards

When watching the American Theater Wing’s 77th Tony Awards on June 16, broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City, listen for familiar Princeton University names. Several faculty members from the Lewis Center, pictured above, and Princeton University alumni have been nominated for 2024 Tony Awards (and Drama Desk Awards) for their recent work on and off-Broadway. more

Arts Council Presents “ART OF” Series

Join artist Jacqui Alexander for an afternoon of chemistry and creativity for anyone ages 10 and up at the Arts Council of Princeton’s “ART OF” series’ ART OF Cyanotype on Sunday, June 9 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Cyanotype is a basic photographic process that uses the sun’s UV rays to create shadowy silhouettes against a vibrant blue background. Learn all about the technique — which dates back to the 1840s — and then create cyanotype printed cloth napkins using found and gathered objects. Bring your own pressed flowers or leaves, feathers, shells, jewelry or trinkets, lace, small toys, cut paper stencils — anything that can lay flat to create a silhouette on your surface. more

Princeton Celebrates Knit in Public Day

The clicking of knitting needles will be heard in locations worldwide on Saturday, June 8 and Princeton will be no exception. Princeton Public Library is joining with Princeton Makes Artists Cooperative and the Center for Modern Aging for the 2024 Knit in Public Day, to be celebrated on the green at the Princeton Shopping Center, 301 Harrison Street, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Knit in Public Day is a time to gather to celebrate a love of knitting, an informal event where knitting and crochet enthusiasts can find camaraderie in their craft and connect with local makers. The event features a yarn swap, free patterns, and “take and make” kits, including patterns and yarn, while supplies last. Participants are urged to bring a work-in-progress and a chair, and enjoy the company of other knitters. more

Old Barracks Museum Showcases “Trenton Makes”

The Old Barracks Museum in Trenton is celebrating Trenton area artists and Trenton art in a month-long gallery show in the historic 18th-century building. The “Arts at the Old Barracks Gallery Show: “Trenton Makes,” on view June 7 through July 6, will showcase artworks that best exemplify Trenton art and artists.

An opening reception is on Friday, June 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. Meet the artists at this free public event and discuss their works while enjoying light refreshments and admiring a sampling of the city’s creativity and inspiration. Works will be available for sale through the museum store. more

Stretch Your Body and Mind with Outdoor Yoga

The balmy evenings of summer are just the right time to stretch your activities, your mind, and your body with outdoor yoga at the historic Updike Farmstead, home of the Historical Society of Princeton.

Gratitude Yoga is offering donation-based Vinyasa Flow classes on Wednesday June 5, 19, and 26 at 6 p.m., as well as on July 28 and August 25 at 3 p.m. All ages and levels are welcome. more

Library Offers Program on “World Changer” Jim Henson

Children in Pre-K to third grade can be inspired by a reading of I Am Jim Henson by author Brad Meltzer at Princeton Public Library on Tuesday, June 4 at 3 p.m. in the Story Room. Participants will receive a free copy of the book to take home and can engage in a fun, hands-on activity. A reading of the book in Spanish will take place at 4 p.m.

The event is co-presented by The NJ4S Mercer Hub, which provides universal prevention programs that promote healthy living and overall wellness. more

Learn How to Foster Native Plants in Your Garden

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pa., offers classes and events related to gardening and natural habitats, such as the series Learn All About How and Why to Foster Native Plants in Your Landscape.

In the June 8 class, Focus on Ferns, Ed Lignowski, Ph.D., will show how to identify many native ferns as well as highlight their evolutionary history and unusual reproductive habits, their natural habitats, and usefulness in native plant gardens. more

Take an Armchair (or Car) Tour of the Delaware River

If you are an armchair traveler, or prefer to go by car, you can take an audio tour and learn about the history, geology, and preservation of the Delaware River along a scenic and historic 40-mile route from Bordentown to the riverside towns of New Hope (Pa.) and Lambertville.

D&R Greenway Land Trust and TravelStorysGPS have teamed up to create “Seldom Told Stories of the Delaware River.” The TravelStorys apps use GPS technology to create hands-free, self-directed driving tours. Short, podcast-style audio tours are easy to download to your smartphone to hear authentic local lore and information about the river and its surroundings. Travelers can navigate from either northbound or southbound routes, or they can join at any point in between. Travelers can pause the story, leave the car to visit a site, and restart it when they return.

If you don’t feel like venturing out, take an armchair tour of “Seldom Told Stories of the Delaware” by visiting the TravelStorys tour page and clicking on “Explore This Tour Remotely,” and following the prompts. more

Camp Connect is Networking Event for Young Professionals

Do you have memories of summer camp — the fun and games and the competition? Join the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber and relive the glory days of summer camp hosted by Iron Peak Sports & Events in Hillsborough on Thursday, June 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. But this time, there is career networking and team building added in.

Events will include duck pin bowling, cornhole, life-sized beer pong, arcade games, a high ropes course, rock climbing, and more.

Enjoy delicious food and drinks, included in the price of your ticket, as you connect with fellow young professionals. Dress comfortably and come ready to participate. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to blend the nostalgia of summer camp with the skill of networking at Camp Connect!

For more information, visit Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber.

Steel Mill Street Fair Moves to Roebling Museum May 18

Photo courtesy of Roebling Museum.

The Roebling Museum, once a gateway to a steel mill which welcomed thousands of workers to the company best known for its design and construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, will be the site of a Steel Mill Street Fair on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, May 19.

The Roebling Museum tells the story of the town of Roebling, a company town built by John A. Roebling’s Sons Company, which built bridges, telegraphs and telephones, ships, elevators, and more, changing the industrial landscape of New Jersey. The Roebling Museum is located at 100 2nd Avenue, Roebling, and is next to the Roebling stop on New Jersey Transit’s River Line.

Formerly the Mary Bordentown Street Fair, the fair on the John A. Roebling Steel Mill site will have expanded food choices and new attractions, plus more time to enjoy the shopping, dining, and free entertainment expected at the event, which is hosted by the Burlington Mercer Chamber of Commerce. Performing will be Princeton’s School of Rock, as well as headliner The Successful Failures Band, and others. Planned are a tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces with a 10:30 a.m. parade, a “patriotic pet parade,” and a company town walking tour. More information is at Steelmillstreetfair.com. more

Join Palmer Square’s Shop For a Cause

Every Thursday in May, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Palmer Square is turning into an opportunity to support local nonprofit organizations and make a difference, one purchase at a time. When you visit a participating retailers and/or restaurants, 10 percent of all sales will be donated to the designated nonprofit of the week.

Live music and entertainment will greet shoppers, who are encouraged to bring gently used handbags, jewelry, and accessories to the Green for Dress For Success to collect them for women in need going to work or job interviews. Other organizations that benefit from your shopping include YWCA Princeton HomeFront, Womanspace, and Community Options. more

Say “Cheese” and Watch Film on Regenerative Farming

A trifecta of education, entertainment, and edibles: The West Windsor Community Farmers Market is collaborating with the Princeton Garden Theatre to show the movie Common Ground, and Cherry Grove Farm is offering cheese plates from its sustainable farm and creamery in Lawrenceville at the event on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m.

The documentry profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, Black, and Indigenous farmers who are using “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, improve health, and help stabilize America’s economy. Moderated by Scott Morgan of Morganics Family Farm, the film features actors including Laura Dern, Woody Harrelson, Jason Momoa, Rosario Dawson, and Donald Glover. more

Nakashima Table Created for Japanese PM

Renowned furniture designer Mira Nakashima, head designer at George Nakashima Woodworkers in New Hope, Pa., was commissioned by the U.S. State Department to create a special piece of furniture for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the first Japanese leader to visit the U.S. as a state guest in nine years.

As she contemplated the design, Nakashima reflected on when she and her family were forcibly relocated to Camp Minidoka, an American internment camp for people of Japanese ancestry in Hunt, Idaho, from 1942-1943. Today, Mira, 82, a trained architect, has worked in the family business since 1970, producing her father George’s iconic designs as well as her own custom-designed, hand-crafted furniture. She also heads the Nakashima Foundation for Peace. more