Princeton Battlefield Society, Friends of Washington Crossing To Host 3rd Cadwalader Lecture

PRINCETON, NJ – Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson will deliver the Princeton Battlefield Society's 3rd Cadwalader Lecture on Tuesday at 7 p.m., marking a historic partnership with the Friends of Washington Crossing Park.

The event, held at the Visitor Center Auditorium at 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA, will feature Atkinson discussing his latest work, “The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780,” the second volume in his American Revolution trilogy.

The lecture celebrates multiple milestone anniversaries - the nation's 250th independence anniversary, the 250th anniversary of Washington's Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware, and the Battle of Princeton's semiquincentennial.

"We are excited that Rick will help us celebrate these historic milestones," said PBS President Ben Strong. " Rick, The Friends of Washington Crossing Park, and PBS share the same passion to educate and remind modern America that 250 years ago tired, hungry, cold but determined men would not let the Independence declared in Philadelphia slip away on the Delaware River and in the frozen battlefields of Trenton and Princeton.”

Jennifer Martin, Executive Director of Friends of Washington Crossing Park, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. "These partnerships allow us to tell a deeper and more connected story of how the Revolution shaped our nation, our region, and our history."

The Princeton Battlefield Society launched the Cadwalader Lectures last fall as an educational series highlighting issues and authors relevant to the Battle of Princeton and the struggle for Independence. Previous speakers included historian Richard Brookhiser discussing "Artist of the American Revolution" Jonathan Trumbull, and local historian John U. Rees speaking about Black soldiers in the Revolutionary Army.

Atkinson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of seven historical works, including the Liberation Trilogy and The British Are Coming, the first volume of his Revolution Trilogy. He has won Pulitzer Prizes for both history and journalism.

Individual tickets cost $40, or $65 with a copy of Atkinson's book. Couples can attend for $90 and receive one book copy. Tickets are available through the Princeton Battlefield Society's website.

The event represents a significant collaboration between two prominent historical organizations as America approaches its 250th anniversary celebrations.

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