By Geoffrey Wertime, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN CITY — The city is set for its fifth celebration of the birthday of historic resident Thomas Paine this Saturday when the Thomas Paine Society of Bordentown will host a number of free family activities.
”It’s a celebration of our history and … the freedoms that we have in this country,” said Bordentown Historical Society President Doug Palmieri. “I think it really resonates this year to look back and see how our freedoms were founded and how important this particular individual and what he wrote was toward really igniting that final move toward independence.”
First among the festivities for Paine’s 272nd birthday will be “In the Footsteps of Thomas Paine,” a walking tour of the historic city, from 11 a.m. to noon. The walk will begin at Mr. Palmieri’s store, the Old Book Shop of Bordentown, 200 Farnsworth Ave.
The tour will focus on the city in the Revolutionary Era when it was home to such historical figures as Benjamin Franklin, Francis Hopkinson and Joseph Bonaparte. Debbie Cramer, a member of both the Thomas Paine Society of Bordentown and the Bordentown Historical Society, will lead the tour, which will occur weather permitting.
Then, at 12:30 p.m., the Old City Hall on Crosswicks Street will host an activity for the younger set. George Vintner, a crafter who reproduces period children’s toys, will offer “18th-Century Children’s Toys and School Life: An Interactive Presentation.” Audience members will have the opportunity to ask about and play with the toys he has made.
Finally, at 2:30 p.m., the Historical Society on Farnsworth Avenue will host a lecture by Sue Huesken, titled “Colonial Burlington Cookery.” The lecture will focus on recipes and tidbits from the recently unearthed 18th-century cookbook of county namesake Polly Burling.
In addition to the above, fixed events, many others will run throughout the day.
One new draw this year will be a performance by 16-year-old concert violinist Emily Daniecki, who will perform Colonial music between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Beanwood, 222 Farnsworth Ave.
The Old Book Shop, 200 Farnsworth Ave., will have a Colonial printing display. It will feature an original copy of “Common Sense,” the famous 1776 political pamphlet authored by Thomas Paine that challenged the authority of the British government and communicated the ideals of the Revolution to farmers and other common citizens.
Liberty Mall Antiques, 102 Farnsworth Ave., will host a Colonial silver exhibit.
Various other Farnsworth Avenue shops also will feature exhibits on Colonial clothing, pewter and scents. A yellow poster of Paine will be placed in the window of each participating store, and various businesses around town will have programs of the day’s events for visitors.
”People seem to be a little more patriotic this year than in previous years,” Mr. Palmieri said.
Particularly this year, he said the goal is to let attendees “look back on some of the wonderful things that have happened 227 years ago and to look forward to how we’re going to do in next 227 years.”
For more information on the celebration of Thomas Paine’s 272nd birthday, call The Old Book Shop of Bordentown at 609-324-9909.

