The Princeton Battlefield Society will present the 2021 Mercer Oak Award to Mark & Rachel Herr of Princeton at a Nassau Inn reception on Thursday, September 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Michael Russell, president of the Society, praised Mr. & Mrs. Herr “who represent the spirit of this award and of our American Revolutionary War heritage. They are leaders and advocates in promoting America’s history and revolutionary spirit. Today,” he continued, “a new- generation Mercer Oak grows at the battlefield as a symbol of the pivotal victory won by American soldiers on January 3 1777. This victory at Princeton ended the ‘ten crucial days’ of 1776-77, during which the dynamics of the American Revolution were fundamentally altered in favor of Independence. The Herr’s appreciation of the battlefield ground at Princeton and their steadfast support of our History & Heritage Fund are recognized by this award.”
Past Mercer Oak Award recipients include long-time PBS President Jerry Hurwitz (2017), Raoul Momo (2018) of the Terra Momo Restaurant Group and Peter J. Travers (2019) of Chase Field LLC. The award to the Herr’s was postponed in 2020.
At the Herr’s request, the funds raised at this year’s Mercer Oak Award Reception will be used to create an updated and visitor friendly educational exhibit in the historic Clarke House Museum to reflect the dynamics of the Battle of Princeton and the people involved. This new exhibit is planned to open in early 2022.
Friends and associates of Mark & Rachel Herr as well as members, donors and friends of the Princeton Battlefield Society are invited to join our recognition in any of the following ways:
• Attend the dinner (tickets are $100 per attendee).
• Place an ad or congratulatory message in our Mercer Oak Award program.
• Send a donation for inclusion in the Mercer Oak Award program.
• Contribute a gift to be used in the Silent Auction.
Members of the 2021 Mercer Oak Committee are Evan Beidler, Michael J. Duffy, Ashley Fortunato, Carolyn Furey, Kim Gallagher, Keith Hofmann, Jerry Hurwitz, Paul & Rosemary Kelley, Jeffrey B. Mershon, Raoul Momo, Todd Quackenbush, Michael Russell, Douglas Shavel, Ben & Christina Strong, Peter J. Travers, and Anne Weber.
The Princeton Battlefield Society is the official friends organization for the Princeton Battlefield State Park. The Society organizes historical/educational events at the Park including Young Patriot’s Day (September), Experience the Battle of Princeton (December), battlefield tours, Park Clean Up Day (April), and commemorative events during various national holidays. Educational initiatives include Eyewitness of the American Revolution, battlefield signage, informational materials and exhibits, and preservation/protection programs.
