April 29 event seeks to raise the last $15,000
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
Fittingly, the Princeton Battle Monument Lighting Committee has invited none other than Gen. George Washington himself to its benefit later this month, which is being held to raise money for the permanent illumination of the commemorative monument.
However, the famous general, founding father and first president isn’t exactly resurrecting himself to make the appearance. Rather, historical interpreter Dave Emerson, a 20-year veteran of depicting significant characters from the past, will fill in for Gen. Washington as organizers hope to raise the last $15,000 of the $125,000 needed to permanently illuminate the tribute to the Jan. 3, 1777 Battle of Princeton.
The benefit, to be held April 29 at the Palmer House, will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. and continue with the company of Gen. Washington Mr. Emerson shortly after 6 p.m.
Mr. Emerson will mix with guests, reminisce about the Battle of Princeton and field questions about the 1775-1781 Revolutionary War period.
Mr. Emerson, who has worked as a historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, Plymouth Plantation, Morristown National Historical Park and other locations, first portrayed Gen. Washington during a commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Princeton. He will attend the benefit dressed in a remake of the uniform that Gen. Washington wore during the Revolutionary War.
"In this particular instance, I’ll be wearing a uniform that is based largely on the painting of Washington at Trenton by Charles Wilson Peale," Mr. Emerson said.
His garb won’t be the only element resembling the founding father.
Mr. Emerson, who said he has worked hard to perfect his dialect, will be spontaneously exhibiting Tidewater speech patterns in order to vocally mimic Gen. Washington.
"Unlike an actor who prepares a particular role and has a monologue, most of what I do is interactive," Mr. Emerson said.
The permanent illumination of the monument is slated to be complete by Jan. 3, 2007, which is the 230th anniversary of the Battle of Princeton.
Princeton resident Charles Stone, a principal of the New York-based firm Fisher Marantz Stone, will create the lighting scheme to complement the limestone monument, which was designed by sculptor Frederick MacMonnies with the help of architect Thomas Hastings. The monument was dedicated in 1922.
The approximately $110,000 so far collected for the lighting project has been accumulated through state grants, Princeton University donations and individual offerings.
Tickets to the benefit, which are $125, can be reserved by calling (609) 921-3800 during business hours.

