Princeton Battlefield Society

The Road to Independence Runs Through Us

The Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and promoting the site of one of the most pivotal battles of the American Revolution—the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777. This battle was a turning point in the fight for independence, where ordinary men did extraordinary things to shape the future of a nation.

Acres Preserve

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Visitors each year

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Guided Tour Visitors

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Members & Donors

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Welcome to the Princeton Battlefield Society

What Happened Here?

On the morning of January 3, 1777, American soldiers, under the command of General George Washington, defeated British Crown forces at the Battle of Princeton. This victory marked a pivotal moment in the American Revolution.

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Experience History Today

Step into history

Join a guided tour of Princeton Battlefield and walk the very ground where American independence took shape. Our tours bring the past to life through expert storytelling and rich historical insights. Every ticket supports preservation and education.

Donate to support

Preserve history with your generosity. Your donation helps protect the Princeton Battlefield, restore historic landmarks, and expand educational programs that bring the past to life. Every contribution ensures that this historic site remains a place of learning and reflection for generations to come.

Heroes of Princeton

Do you know of a Patriot who took part in the battle on January 3, 1777? Share their name and story with us as we work to preserve and tell the full history of that day. Every story helps keep their memory alive.

Eyewitness of the American Revolution

Thomas Clarke

As part of the Princeton Battlefield Society’s Eyewitness of the American Revolution initiative, we are proud to present our latest video on Thomas Clarke. This project was made possible through a 2024 grant from the Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission.

Watch the video to learn more about Thomas Clarke’s role in history.

Support Historic Preservation

Your contribution keeps history alive.

When you join us, you help protect the historic resources at the Princeton Battlefield, the Thomas Clarke House (a witness to the January 3, 1777, Battle of Princeton), and advance the history and heritage of America’s Revolutionary War. The battlefield serves as a stage to bring public history and educational programs to life—inspiring an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the American Revolution and the legacy of the Battle of Princeton.

Bring History to Life

Upcoming events

Countdown to the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Princeton

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Cadwalader Lecture Series – “The Fate of the Day” An Evening with Rick Atkinson

Acclaimed author Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize winner, and author of, The British Are Coming and The Liberation Trilogy, is returning to Washington Crossing Historic Park to discuss the 2nd entry in his ongoing Revolution Trilogy, *The Fate of the Day*.

Mercer Oak Award Reception

Your support in honoring Senator Zwicker will advance the preservation of the Princeton Battlefield and the heritage of the Battle of Princeton as we prepare for the Nation’s 250th Anniversary.

The profound sense of history I experienced the first time I stood alongside the Clarke House where Washington saw the battle before him and rode down into the midst of it to take command and rally his men to victory.

I will never forget the long and hard fight with the Institute for Advanced Study over the preservation of Maxwell’s Field where George Washington order a counterattack that swept the British from the field of battle. During that time when the preservation of this field was very much in doubt, I visited Maxwell’s Field and could see first hand how important it was to tell the whole story of the Battle of Princeton. I could also see the bulldozers and compromised land and it made me sick. Thanks to the effort of the PBS and American Battlefield Trust this threat was avoided.

In January of 1998 I “encouraged” my then 13 year old daughter to attend the Reenactment at the Battlefield by agreeing to buy new dance outfits for her at Capezio. No other interest in attending. It was incredibly cold and we needed to wait in a long line to get buses back to the parking lot. To this day we both remember it as one of the best father-daughter days out. Today of course she is fully aware of the blessings of growing up in the backyard of history.

September 2021, I visited the Thomas Clarke house on my way to a new job in Maine. As a direct descendant of BG Hugh Mercer and a combat (Afghanistan) wounded soldier myself felt I needed to pay a visit to the battlefield that my ancestor gave his life. The staff were amazing and answered questions I had about the battlefield and I told them about the little village in Scotland where BG Mercer was born/raised (which I had visited a couple years before). Very glad BG Mercer’s memory is kept alive and honored.

OUR TESTIMONIALS

What our visitors say

Every year, visitors from across the country walk the historic grounds of the Princeton Battlefield, reflecting on the bravery, sacrifice, and significance of this pivotal moment in American history.

OUR LATEST BLOG

Checkout news & updates

Princeton Battlefield Society Announces Daily Countdown until 250 th Anniversary of the Battle, Battlefield Tours, and New Website in Celebration of the Semi Quincentennial of the Battle of Princeton

PPBS to mark each day of the American Revolution leading

250 Years Ago This Week: The Revolution Begins

Following the Road to Independence—One Day at a Time This

Postscript – January 3-6, 1777

The British high command initially acknowledged losses for the day

Be a part of History

Step into history and make a difference. Our volunteers play a vital role in preserving the battlefield, leading tours, supporting educational programs, and assisting at special events

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