MercerMe

Token on the Freedman's Coat: The Story Behind Thomas Mundy Peterson's 1884 Voting Medal
2026-01-15 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Thomas Mundy Peterson is celebrated as the first African American to vote under the Fifteenth Amendment. Gordon Bond, independent historian and publisher of NJ history website Garden State Legacy, will discuss the story of Peterson and how, on May 30, 1884, citizens of Perth Amboy, NJ, pinned a gold medal to his coat in honor of his having done something that, in another part of the nation, a noose might have been put around his neck for daring. Based on Bond’s book, To Cast a Freedman’s Vote. Sponsored by Friends of the Ewing Library. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

MLK, Jr. Day(s) of Service
2026-01-17 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-24 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-31 10:00 - 16:00 | Hopewell Branch Library – MCL, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, 08534, United States
In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day of Service, we are giving back to the community! Drop in today and use materials provided to create handmade cards or write letters to be sent to homebound participants of the Mercer County Meals on Wheels program. Registration is not required.

Introduction to Smart and Safe Investing
2026-01-20 18:30 - 19:30
Chase Bertoldo, from the Seton Hall University School of Law FINRA Investor Advocacy Program, will cover a range of practical financial concepts, including budgeting and inflation, as well as different investment and savings products. Throughout the program, he’ll focus on smart and safe investment practices, illustrating the challenges facing every investor and how to avoid common pitfalls. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Islamic Contribution to Civilization
2026-01-27 19:00 - 20:00
Muslims have been influenced by and contributed to other cultures in numerous ways. Particularly, during the medieval Golden Age of Islam, Muslims made major contributions in diverse fields, including art, architecture, music, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, philosophy, and literature, as well as in hygiene, cuisine, clothing, and furniture. Presented by Samina Sattar of the New Jersey Islamic Networks Group.

Abolition and the Underground Railroad in South Jersey
2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:00
Virtual program hosted by the Mercer County Library SystemTuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
This virtual presentation, hosted by the Mercer County Library System, explores Southern New Jersey during the Civil War era, when the region became a hotbed of fugitives from slavery, freedmen, and abolitionists. Activists such as Harriet Tubman, Abigail Goodwin, and Benjamin Sheppard assisted runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad through daring nighttime journeys in the Pine Barrens and coordinated signals from boats in the marshlands of Delaware Bay.
Author Ellen D. Alford will recount compelling narratives of abolition and the Underground Railroad in South Jersey.
Registration is required. Visit events.mcl.org to receive the virtual program link.

Scrap Metal Connection
2026-02-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Hopewell Twp. Public Works, 203 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Hopewell, NJ, 08525, United States
The Hopewell Valley Green Team will host a scrap metal collection on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Please bring your assorted scrap metal (nothing extremely heavy) to the Hopewell Township Public Works Building between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. and we will make sure it is recycled for you. Volunteers are needed to staff the event—please contact us if you’re interested: hvgreenteam@gmail.com.
Acceptable materials are listed here: https://hopewellvalleygreenteam.org/recycling/recycling-

Frederick Douglass’ Birthday: Transcribe-a-thon
2026-02-13 12:00 - 15:00 | Hopewell Branch Library – MCL, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, 08534, United States
In-person program hosted by the Mercer County Library SystemFriday, February 13, 2026, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
This in-person event, hosted by the Mercer County Library System at the Hopewell Branch, invites community members to celebrate the birthday of Frederick Douglass by helping make history more accessible. Participants are encouraged to drop in with a laptop to help transcribe historical documents related to Black history and culture, contributing to projects such as The Colored Conventions Project.
Attendees may also stop by to watch the DouglassDay.org livestream, featuring inspirational speeches and songs. Light refreshments will be served.
Location:Hopewell Branch Library245 Pennington–Titusville RoadPennington, NJ 08534609-737-2610
Registration is requested.

New Jersey in the Revolutionary War
2026-02-17 19:00 - 20:00
Virtual program hosted by the Mercer County Library SystemTuesday, February 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Hosted virtually by the Mercer County Library System, this program covers the period from 1763 to 1789, spanning the end of the French and Indian War through the establishment of the U.S. Constitution. The presentation highlights the critical role New Jersey—particularly Central Jersey—played in the nation’s founding, including the Ten Crucial Days, the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the ratification of the Constitution.
Co-sponsored with the Historical Society of West Windsor.
Registration is required. Visit events.mcl.org to receive the virtual program link.

Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, and Essential Legal Planning
2026-02-18 18:00 - 19:00
Virtual program hosted by the Mercer County Library SystemWednesday, February 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
This virtual program, hosted by the Mercer County Library System, is designed for families, caregivers, professionals, and community members supporting loved ones with long-term care needs. Participants will gain an overview of estate and long-term care planning, including wills, decision-making authority, guardianship, inheritance considerations, Medicaid planning, and the benefits of planning ahead rather than reacting in a crisis.
The presentation is led by Ryann Siclari, Esq., an attorney experienced in disability law, elder law, and long-term planning, and is offered as part of the Colorful Dreams Care Program Series.
Registration is required. Visit events.mcl.org to receive the virtual program link.

Arm in Arm Mobile Food Pantry
2026-04-06 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-13 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-20 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Mercer County Library – Lawrence Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ, United States
Are you experiencing food insecurity? Arm In Arm’s mobile food pantry will be at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch on Monday, April 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. No registration is required. Arm In Arm staff will register participants upon arrival. For more information about the food pantry, visit arminarm.org.
Arm In Arm has been active in Mercer County for four decades providing essential resources like food and financial support. Healthy food such as fresh produce, eggs and milk, frozen proteins, quality baked goods, and shelf stable canned and boxed items as well as personal care products such as shampoo, soap, and diapers are made available to families in need. Arm In Arm welcomes 4,000-5,000 families annually through 40,000+ visits to our food and mobile pantries and works with 200-400 at-risk families to prevent or end homelessness.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Arm in Arm and other committed organizations to serve those in greatest need,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “Our Libraries serve as important hubs in our communities, and by brining bringing services here we’re able to meet our residents where they are.”
In conjunction with Arm In Arm, other social service agencies will be on site. On April 6, the Mercer County Board of Social Services, SNAP Navigator, PSE&G Community Outreach and the Lawrence Township Health Department will have informational tables. On April 13, the NJ Division on Civil Rights, the New Jersey Hospital Association, the Mercer County Nutrition Program and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ will have informational tables. On April 20, the Mercer County Board of Social Services, the Presbyterian Church Voting, DHS Community Outreach Program and Mount Carmel Guild will have informational tables. On April 27, the DHS Community Outreach Program and the Mercer County Superior Court will have informational tables. All visiting services will take place at the same time and place as the mobile food pantry (2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System).
Arm In Arm relies on volunteers to get food into the hands of those who need it most. Want to get involved? Contact Shariq Marshall at 609-508-7851, shariqm@arminarm.org.
The Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System is located at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ. For more information about the library’s programs call 609-883-8292, e-mail lawprogs@mcl.org or visit www.mcl.org.

The Declaration of Independence: America's Birth Certificate from Conception to Celebration
2026-04-06 19:00 - 20:00
Historian Joel Farkas discusses the development of the document, from the Magna Carta (1215) to the French and Indian War, the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, the French Revolution (and Napoleon), the War of 1812, to today. Joel Farkas is a graduate of The Ohio State University, an Officer in the United States Army, a National Park Service volunteer docent at Washington’s Headquarters, Morristown, NJ, a lecturer at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers University, and a lecturer at Florham Institute for Lifelong Learning at Fairleigh Dickinson University on Monday, April 6, 7:00 pm. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Tree Seedling Giveaway
2026-04-11 10:30 - 13:00 | Hopewell Twp. Public Works, 203 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Hopewell, NJ, 08525, United States
On Saturday, April 11, Hopewell Township will host a free Tree Seedling Giveaway from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Public Works Building.
You are invited to pick up young trees to plant at home, helping expand our community’s tree canopy while supporting cleaner air, wildlife habitat, and neighborhood beauty.
Event Details:

📅 Date: Saturday, April 11
🕥 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Hopewell Township Public Works Building

Trees play a vital role in creating healthy habitats for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. By planting even a single seedling, you’re making a meaningful contribution to biodiversity right in your own backyard.

In Conversation with Author Ted Chiang
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Online
Thursday, April 16, 2026 @ 7 PM via Zoom
Ted Chiang has become a definitive voice in speculative fiction, captivating readers with his award-winning collections Stories of Your Life and Others and Exhalation. He possesses a masterful ability to bridge the gap between rigorous scientific inquiry and the profound depths of human emotion. His work serves as a modern exploration of the “what if,” often using our evolving relationship with technology to challenge our understanding of free will, memory, and consciousness. These stories resonate because they grapple with the fundamental questions of what it means to be sentient in an evolving universe. In this keynote, Chiang will discuss various themes found in Exhalation: Stories, with a focus on the persistence of wonder and how shifting the lens of logic can fundamentally alter our perspective on the nature of existence.
Sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Regional School District and the Friends of the Pennington Library

The Gambler, the Writer, and Zelda: The History Behind The Girl in the Green Dress
2026-04-20 18:30 - 19:30
Join author Mariah Fredericks on Monday, April 20, 6:30 pm as she discusses her new mystery, inspired by the unsolved 1920 murder of Joseph Elwell. Through images and historical insight, Fredericks explores how she wove together the real-life stories of Elwell, Morris Markey, and Zelda Fitzgerald in her novel The Girl in the Green Dress — praised by The New York Times as “dazzling … a lively return to Jazz Age Manhattan.” Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

TrashedArt Contest Reception
2026-04-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Mercer County Library – Lawrence Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ, United States
The Mercer County Library System is hosting the 17th Annual TrashedArt Contest Reception on Tuesday, April 21st at 6:30 pm. The contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging patrons to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art. Entries will be judged by MCLS staff and local professional artists. Library patrons will also have a chance to vote for People’s Choice award winners prior to the reception. Grand prize winners will be awarded for first, second and third places. The reception is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Advanced registration is appreciated for all events. Please register online on LibCal at https://mcl.org/. The Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System is located at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ. For more information about the library’s programs, call 609-883-8292, e-mail lawprogs@mcl.org or visit www.mcl.org.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library. For more information about the Friends of the Lawrence Library, please stop by the Lawrence Reference Desk. The Friends of the Lawrence Library help support programs such as book sales, book clubs, contests, crafts, events (such as this one), guest speakers, parties and workshops for adults, as well as character greetings, crafts, entertainers, events, parties and more for youth at the Library. Join the Friends of the Lawrence Library today!

How to Create a Pollinator Garden for Beginners
2026-04-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Mercer County Library – Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington Titusville Road, Pennington, NJ, United States
Join the Hopewell Valley Community Wildlife Habitat Program on Saturday, April 25, 10:30 am at Hopewell Branch for a fun and informative session on starting your own pollinator garden. Learn all about the importance of pollinators and how you can attract them to your garden. Expert speakers will guide you through the process step by step. You will learn how to start a garden of any size (even if you are new to gardening), why now is the time to start your garden and how to create a low maintenance garden that you’ll love. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while beautifying your outdoor space. Registration is requested.

Introduction to the Art of Arabic Calligraphy
2026-04-28 18:30 - 19:30
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month on Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 pm with calligrapher Elinor A. Holland. Explore the history, meaning, and traditional practices of Arabic script calligraphy, including the Arabic alphabet, global lettering styles, and classic tools. The program concludes with a live calligraphy demonstration showcasing this ancient and beautiful art form. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

A Poetry Happening: Mercer Poets Read
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:00
Join the Mercer County Library System for a celebration of National Poetry Month. Mercer County Library System continues this popular program on Wednesday, April 29, 7:00 pm for its fourth year, featuring local poets reading their own work or a favorite published poem. All are invited to attend an enjoyable evening of poetry! Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Hopewell Township Cultural Festival
2026-05-02 11:00 - 14:00 | Woolsey Park, 203 Washington Crossing- Pennington Road, Hopewell, NJ, United States
Hopewell Township and Culture Connections invites you to our Third Annual Cultural Festival! There will be food, vendors, performances, fun and more! Bring your chairs or blankets to sit on.
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 11am – 1pm
Location: Woolsey Park, 221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ 08560
Want to get involved? https://www.hopewelltwp.org/DocumentCenter/View/17257/Ways-to-Get-Involved—Cultural-Festival?bidId=

Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art
2026-05-06 18:30 - 19:30
Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art
Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 pm
Bats, gourds, peaches, ribbons, and monkeys on horses: these images are frequently (and creatively) depicted in Chinese art — but what do they mean? Just as the Chinese language is an exquisite conduit for rebuses (visual puns) and symbolism, motifs that appear in Chinese art often represent wishes for good fortune. Join us as we decipher hidden messages of prosperity, health, and happiness found in traditional Chinese art using selected objects from the Asian Art Museum’s collection. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Kids to Park Day
2026-05-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Woolsey Park, 203 Washington Crossing- Pennington Road, Hopewell, NJ, United States
Hopewell Township Recreation will be joining other towns across the country to celebrate the national day of play. Join for a fun free afternooon in Woolsey Park on Sunday, May 17 from 1pm to 3pm — games, crafts, and more.

Hopewell Valley Veterans Association Memorial Day Event
2026-05-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Woolsey Park, 203 Washington Crossing- Pennington Road, Hopewell, NJ, United States
Come honor and pay your respects to our local fallen veterans at this annual event. Handicapped parking is available.
Saturday, May 23 at 11am

Transform Your Yard into a Wildlife Habitat!
2026-06-01 19:00 - 20:00
Did you know even small changes in your yard can make a big difference for pollinators, birds, and local wildlife?
Join Hopewell Valley Gardens for Wildlife’s upcoming webinar, Transforming a Suburban Yard into Wildlife Habitat, and learn practical, achievable ways to create a thriving habitat using native plants and wildlife-friendly landscaping.
You’ll discover:
✨ Easy habitat-building ideas
✨ Real suburban yard transformations
✨ Tips for supporting birds & pollinators
✨ How to create a beautiful, eco-friendly landscape
📅 Monday, June 1st
🕒 7-8 pm
💻 Online Event
Reserve your spot today: www.eventbrite.com/e/webinar-transforming-a-suburban-yard-into-wildlife-habitat-tickets-1990176534589?aff=oddtdtcreator
Can’t make it live? Register anyway to receive the recording!

Catharine "Caty" Greene: Eyewitness to the American Revolution
2026-06-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Online
Catharine “Caty” Greene: Eyewitness to the American Revolution
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 @ 7 PM via Zoom
Registration required
Carol Simon Levin portrays Catharine “Caty” Greene, the indomitable wife of Nathanael Greene, one of General Washington’s most valued officers. Known as a witty raconteur, she enlivened the spirits of officers and troops alike as the war ranged from New Jersey to South Carolina, famously dancing for 3 hours straight with George Washington. Her pluck and spirit carried her through victories and tragedies not only during the war but throughout a remarkable life of resilience and reinvention.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library
About Our Presenter: Carol Simon Levin is a professional storyteller, historical impersonator, and NJ council for the Humanities Scholar specializing in “Fascinating Women History Forgot” – women of all colors and creeds who have fought for women’s rights. She is the author of the book Remembering the Ladies: From Patriots in Petticoats to Presidential Candidates and the Garden State Legacy article “Reclaiming Our Voice: NJ’s Role in the Fight for Woman Suffrage.”

Hopewell Valley Come Outside and Play! at Woolsey Park
2026-06-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Woolsey Park, 203 Washington Crossing- Pennington Road, Hopewell, NJ, United States
Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance will once again be sponsoring Come Outside and Play Weekend from Thursday, June 4 through Saturday, June 6. Many Valley-wide businesses and organizations will be part of this event. Once again, Hopewell Recreation will be joining in on the fun and having an event on Thursday, June 4. Join Hopewell Township Recreation, along with other Township Departments, for some good old-fashioned fun at the park.
