River Days fair offered watershed for education
An inquisitive group of children leaned toward a musket being wielded by a
Old Barracks Museum representative.
A hush preceded the torrent of questions eventually fired at David Niescior and James Bevan. This is what education looks like — a desire for knowing, a hunger for learning, a tilt of their spine to absorb minute details offered by their unexpected education hosts.
Trenton River Days Fair near Arm & Hammer Stadium and in nearby River Walk Park attracted only hundreds last Saturday although a bevy of activities including fishing. canoeing on the Delaware and other explorations offered a funfilled day.
The free event included food and educational activities for the whole family. Guests enjoyed exhibits about the life of the Delaware River. Other activities included a wildflower cultivation project as The Watershed Institute, Mercer County and the Mercer County Park Commission, The City of Trenton, D&R Greenway Land Trust, and the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River presented the fantastic day.
Nescior explained the musket firing mechanism before the astute learners heard my question.
“How many of you have been to The Old Barracks Museum?” Silence, eventually broken by their mother.
“They’ve never been,” she said. Whaaatttt, never been to The Barracks? No sweat. You will have reason and desire for visitation when this column’s final period hammers.
The Old Barracks Museum, (about 15 minutes by auto from any Trenton residence) also known as Old Barracks, is the only remaining colonial barracks in New Jersey. It is the last of five such barracks authorized by the colonial legislature in 1758 to house soldiers in the French and Indian War. Approximately 300 soldiers were accommodated living quarters at a time.
The Old Barracks serves as an educational center for Colonial and American history as staff provides tours and interpretations of American colonial life. The building offers a museum of artifacts and weapons, as well as a gift shop.
Now, check this out. Education requires interest, a glimmered light of interest before eyes open wide and learning doors fling open. Sure, those children were interested in the musket but just that small kernel, the lean in for knowing, could become the spark that ignites an entire lifetime of education, reading, and wanting to know more about everything from tornadoes to the Great Wall of China.
Nothing seems more exciting than to grow old while continuing the learning process and the self-improvement that accompanies art, film, theater music, etc. .
One more item for your consideration — Southriver Walk Park, a 6.5 acre playground and educational opportunity off Rt. 29 near Lamberton St.
The South Riverwalk Park was built on top of the Route 29 Tunnel along the Delaware River. A thumbnail sketch of the area notes that the design of the park was informed by the archaeological and historical research conducted prior to construction of the tunnel. A series of arches made of different materials (Steel, iron, brick, wood) represent each century of historic occupation of Trenton. Plaques inset into the ground record the many milestones of local history. The park includes bicycle and pedestrian walkways, lawn areas, benches, pavilions, a playground and incredible scenic views of the Delaware River. One wonder how this space remains a secret and hosts few events.
Want to improve your family’s education game. Visit The Old Museum Barracks (www.barracks.org or (609-396-1776) or take a stroll in Southriver Walk Park. This may just be a watershed moment. (Sorry, had to go there).
OK. Show of hands. How many of you have been to the New Jersey State Museum and Planetarium? (Just what I thought).
Come on, everybody. It’s time for Trenton kids to Get Smart.