Attending new events is always fun; the expectations of the event and meeting new and old friends are essential. This time, I traveled to the Skirmish at the Indian King Tavern event in Haddonfield, NJ. Why is the tavern a historic site? The New Jersey Assembly met at the Indian King Tavern in 1777 and declared New Jersey a state. That's important!

The weather was consistent with many of my recent events, with intermittent rain. The drive itself was easy, only about 30 minutes from my home. Haddonfield features beautifully preserved colonial and Victorian homes, tree-lined streets, and manicured lawns. For the event, the Indian King Tavern Museum street was closed to car traffic for about 100 yards, the size of a football field, making it easy to walk around.

From their website-

The Indian King Tavern is almost 300 years old and nestled on Kings Highway, the main street in historic Haddonfield. It is New Jersey's first state-owned landmark site (acquired in 1903), and it is where New Jersey completed its transition from colony to state. 

My highlight of the day was this simulated duel with a British and Continental officer. Their banter and showmanship were humorous and educational. It felt like an old Abbott and Costello routine. Hopefully, you're familiar with this comedy duo from the 1940s and 1950s. I took and posted more photos from this 30-minute presentation than any other similar program.

Near the end of their program was children's time, where they taught a few youngsters the fundamentals of sword fighting. One of the skills taught was demonstrating confidence and strength, and this young boy did that wonderfully.

What's terrific about events like this is that they usually will have exceptional programming, especially for kids. Attend an event, and you won't be disappointed!

I love pizza and always have. Growing up on Long Island, NY, where every plaza had a mom-and-pop pizza place, probably was a significant reason why. Most of these pizza places were takeout, and it was possible to order by the slice. So, having pizza is my go-to food whenever I can. When the rain started to fall harder at the event, I knew it was time for me to find a place to eat some pizza. 

However, now that I'm older, I need time to sit and relax during these events. I found Pizza Pazza and wanted to order two slices, but the restaurant only served whole pies. The term "pie" for pizza, which I often say, originated in the United States when Italian immigrants arrived in the late 1800s. Over time, the term stuck, especially in places like New York, where pizza became a beloved staple.

I ordered a Margherita pizza that had crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and olive oil, along with a Diet Coke. It was delicious, and I couldn't even finish it. I brought half of it home to my family.

Sometimes, you see your photo before you take it. That's what happened here. I spotted this reenactor shortly after the reenactment started. It was his eyes that caught my attention, the intensity. The paper cartridge in his mouth added a comical aspect to the final image.

At the recent Battle of Monmouth reenactment, I was strolling the grounds when I spotted this reenactor. He reminded me of the wonderful photo I had taken recently at the Skirmish at Indian King Tavern event.

I wasn't sure it was him because he was wearing a British uniform, whereas in my photo, he was in militia attire. So I asked, were you at this event as a militiaman? Then I showed him this photo from my phone. It was him. Then I wondered, why the intense expression? His buddy next to him chimed in and said Joe is always this way. He always elaborated, focusing on the character, but at times, during the reenactments, it became dull, or he was hungry or just tired, and his mind wandered. No matter the reason for his intensity, his expression makes for a great photo.

As I've shared in other blogs, I now enjoy incorporating still-life images at these events. I walk around in quiet areas, and then I find unique shots to take. Post-processing them later in On1 software is also a way to express my vision with these photos. I want them to be different than others that I see. 

For example, there were these simple letters and envelopes on this green desk that piqued my interest. The first thing I noticed was the fine penmanship, which is not one of my skills. Next, it had William Livingston, one of the founding fathers, as its address. His portrait is displayed in the tavern, and a photo is included in this photo gallery.

William Livingston (1723–1790) was the first governor of New Jersey, serving from 1776 to 1790 during the American Revolutionary War. He was a lawyer and politician who played a key role in the state's defense and governance during the war. Livingston was also a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and signed the United States Constitution. His contributions to the founding of the United States and New Jersey are significant, making him one of the Founding Fathers.

Click here for  Skirmish at Indian King Tavern 2025 Photo Gallery.

Thank you for reading! Blog #91 will be posted on July 15, 2025. Be safe & well!

Huzzah,

Ken Bohrer