(PRINCETON, NJ) -- D&R Greenway Land Trust invites the public to celebrate its 30th year of preservation with a unique Trails-to-Table series of monthly guided walks and meals at local restaurants that support D&R Greenway’s preservation mission. The free inaugural walk takes place at Point Breeze, former Bordentown estate of Joseph Bonaparte, on April 27 from 10:00am to noon and features three experts on the site’s dramatic history. Sagas and legendary artifacts from the Bonaparte era will be shared by Richard Veit, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of History and Anthropology at Monmouth University; Peter Tucci, Esq., world-class collector of Joseph Bonaparte letters, maps and artifacts; and Doug Kiovsky, co-president of Bordentown Historical Society.
Richard Veit supervised digs concerning the former King of Spain and of Naples, and his nephew and son-in-law, Charles Lucien, at the Point Breeze site. Fox-Rothschild Partner Peter J. Tucci will recount his experiences in gathering the world’s largest collection from the era of Joseph and Charles Lucien Bonaparte at Point Breeze. Their estate welcomed John James Audubon, who birded the Bluffs and the Marsh from Point Breeze with Charles Lucien, early amateur ornithologist. James Fenimore Cooper was a Bonaparte guest. Legend has it that Charles Lucien discovered and named the Cooper’s hawk after his friend and guest. Doug Kiovsky will convey his dedication to Bonaparte gardens, structures, including the legendary tunnel, as well as hopes for a Bonaparte Museum in Bordentown. Scheduled during History Weekend at the Abbott Marshlands, these Point Breeze explorations will take place at Divine Word Missionaries, (609) 298-0549, 101 Park St; Bordentown, New Jersey 08505.
The featured April 27 restaurant is Marcello’s, one of the town’s premier restaurants, 206 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown. Call (609) 298-8360 to reserve a table. Between noon and closing, dine at Marcello’s and say “Bonaparte”, and 10 percent of the meal price will be donated to support D&R Greenway Land Trust. More information can be found on the events page at www.drgreenway.org. Participants should wear comfortable walking clothes and shoes, slacks tucked into socks, hats; and bring water, insect repellant and sunscreen. Event will be held rain or shine, indoors at Divine Word, if necessary.
D&R Greenway’s President and CEO, Linda J. Mead, advises, “Bordentown is experiencing an historic Renaissance, with a charming main street studded with significant sites, such as the only home Thomas Paine ever owned, as well as enticing shops and restaurants. The bricks in its sidewalks were made in what is now our Abbott Marshlands. Because this village is off the beaten track, this is a unique opportunity to discover the once-world-famous Point Breeze site with experts. For our Trails-to-Table series, it is exciting that select restaurants are cooperating in our determination to save New Jersey Land. On April 27, enjoy a meal with the speakers, including the granddaughter of Babe Ruth, visiting as part of D&R Greenway’s new Art Exhibition, ‘Spring Training: People, Places, Play.’ Say ‘Bonaparte’ at your Marcello’s check-out, and the restaurant will donate 10 percent of your bill to support our preservation mission.”
D&R GREENWAY LAND TRUST IS IN ITS 30TH YEAR of preserving and protecting natural lands, farmlands and open spaces throughout central and southern New Jersey. Through continuous preservation and stewardship -- caring for land and easements to ensure they remain protected and ecologically healthy in perpetuity -- D&R Greenway nurtures a healthier and more diverse environment for people and wild species in seven counties. Accredited by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission, D&R Greenway’s mission is to preserve and care for land and inspire a conservation ethic, now and for the future. Since its founding in 1989, D&R Greenway has permanently preserved more than 20,000 acres, an area 20 times the size of New York City’s Central Park, including 30 miles of trails open to the public. The Johnson Education Center, a circa-1900 restored barn at One Preservation Place, Princeton, has been D&R Greenway’s home since 2006. Through programs, art exhibits and related lectures, D&R Greenway inspires greater public commitment to safeguarding land.
