Princeton Battlefield State Park
National Historic Landmark · Princeton, New Jersey
An open field a mile and a half from Princeton University where Washington won on 3 January 1777, ten days after Trenton — and the pair of victories is what kept the Revolution alive through a winter that had very nearly ended it. HE LED THE COUNTERATTACK HIMSELF, riding into a broken American line within musket range of British regulars, and the army rallied behind him. General Hugh Mercer was bayoneted here and died nine days later. THE MERCER OAK, under which he was said to have been laid, stood until 2000 and its descendant grows on the spot. The Thomas Clarke House stands at the edge of the field.
500 Mercer Road, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, United States
FREE, with free parking and no ticket — a New Jersey state park open daylight hours, and largely UNSTAFFED with NO VISITOR CENTRE. THE THOMAS CLARKE HOUSE keeps VERY LIMITED HOURS, generally a few days a week and often closed entirely out of season, with a small charge or donation — check before travelling. THE FIELD IS HARD TO READ WITHOUT A GUIDE: the Princeton Battlefield Society runs free walks and talks on a seasonal schedule and around the 3 January anniversary, and timing a visit to one is the difference between a battle and a lawn. Anniversary events form part of Patriots Week, which runs from late December through Washington Crossing and Trenton.
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