The Historical Society of Moorestown’s New Jersey History Speaks lecture series for the 2026-2027 season will kickoff with two presentations in the month of September. First, on September 9 starting at 7:00 p.m., attendees will hear from author and historian Jeff Denman. Professor Denman will speak about his latest book ‘Closing the Ring: George Washington’s War in the North 1778-1781’.
Although often labeled a stalemate, the northern theater of the American Revolution from 1778–81 was a defining period that sharpened George Washington’s strategic and political leadership. Facing internal divisions, supply crises, and the brutal winter at Morristown, he demonstrated resilience and adaptability despite Congress’s failures and the army’s hardships. His steady leadership and cultivation of key subordinates ultimately helped transform limited resources into a foundation for victory.
Using a rich tapestry of primary sources, author and historian Jeff Denman focuses on moments and locales rarely chronicled and provides an in-depth and captivating window into how one individual galvanized meager resources to accomplish the extraordinary.
The following night, September 10, a special program will be held in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Richard Marx, retired Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI, is best known for leading the forensic recovery effort at the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, where he and his team spent 11 months sifting through 1.8 million tons of World Trade Center debris following the September 11 attacks.
Working with the FBI’s Philadelphia Evidence Recovery Team (ERT) and the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Marx coordinated a massive multi-agency operation that processed over 75,000 personal effects and aided in identifying the remains of numerous victims. During his nearly 25-year career, he also responded to other mass casualty incidents and high-profile investigations, including the aftermath of the USS Cole bombing and EgyptAir Flight 990.
He will speak about his experiences starting at 7:00 p.m.
Both events will be held in the Moorestown Public Library and are free and open to the public, however registration is strongly requested and can be completed by going to the “Events and Classes” page of the Moorestown Library’s website.
