On Jan. 24-25, Bordentown residents will have the chance once again to search for Thomas Paine’s bones at about a dozen local businesses in the second annual Thomas Paine Scavenger Hunt to honor the historical figure’s birthday.
The idea for the scavenger hunt came from the fact that no one actually knows where Paine’s bones are buried, said Doug Palmieri of the Old Book Shop. After Paine died, his body was shipped back to England, and from there his bones were dispersed to a number of different locations.
Now, the “bones” have been dispersed in Bordentown City. Participants can print out a passport or pick one up at the Old Book Shop on Farnsworth Avenue.
Each participating location will have one or several hidden plastic bones, each of which will be marked with a point value on it. Often times, the bones will be hidden in plain sight.
Everyone who collects all the points will then be entered into a drawing to win a prize. Participants should turn in their completed passports at the Old Book Shop.
This is the second year the Downtown Bordentown Association is hosting the scavenger hunt. Palmieri said last year was very successful, and actually attracted the interest of many local adults, not just the kids initially expected to participate.
Every year, the DBA organizes an event close to the time of Paine’s birthday, which was Jan. 28.
This year, in addition to the scavenger hunt, the DBA and the Bordentown Historical Society hoped to schedule a presentation Jan. 26 featuring a Thomas Paine re-enactor and Gen. George Washington re-enactor. The event is set to be hosted at the Friends Meeting House on Farnsworth Avenue.
Plans were still being finalized as of press time for a list of participating businesses and the time of the historical society presentation.
For updates and more information, go online to downtownbordentown.com.
