2010 Annual Meeting Notice
Letter to Membership from Stuart
June 17, 2010
Dear ABA Members and Friends,
2010 Annual Meeting Agenda: August 24-29, Princeton, NJ
Helena and I are pleased to formally announce ABA’s exciting plans to visit Aaron’s alma mater, Princeton University, as the site of our 2010 annual meeting. We last met at Princeton on October 8 and 9, 1999.
Tuesday, Aug. 24, 3:00 p.m.: Check-in begins at the WESTIN Princeton at Forrestal Village, 201 Village Blvd., Princeton, NJ 08540 (our hotel). This close-in suburb sometimes is called Plainsboro. The hotel’s shuttle van drives to the University campus, some four miles away. Please make room reservations immediately. July 25th is the cut-off date for our room-block group rate of $109 per night, double or single occupancy (king or double beds), plus taxes (currently totaling 15%). Identify yourself as being with the Aaron Burr Association. Call 1-888-625-5144, or the hotel directly: 609-452-7900, or book online at: www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/aaronburrattendees ORwww.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res? - then enter our group identification number: id=1005254103&key=166BC.
We were able to get this low rate only by tough negotiation and agreeing to meet in late August.
After check-in each night, we will meet-and-greet in the hotel’s Latitude lounge and Parallel 40 restaurant (Princeton lies at the 40thparallel of the world), so new arrivals will never be alone for dinner.
About our hotel:
- This beautiful, full-service facility completed a 9-million dollar renovation of the sleeping rooms, carpeting and other areas, in February of this year.
- free outdoor parking, to the rear of the hotel; the entire area is extremely safe.
- breakfast is not complimentary but the menu has a wide range of prices.
- there is a Starbuck’s station in the hotel, with sandwiches and bakery items.
- mini-frig in each guest room.
- Westin Heavenly beds™.
- hotel is smoke-free.
- pets are allowed only on the 2nd floor so, if you wish, specify another floor.
- indoor/outdoor swimming pool, fitness room and tennis courts (for Lyman!)
For other details, please visit Westin.com/Princeton.
You will love browsing the dozens of quaint shops and restaurants in our Princeton Forrestal Village, right outside our hotel (princetonforrestalvillage.com), including:
- Salt Creek Grille (food and ambience “to die for”), featuring happy-hour prices in its lounge area until 6:30pm, and quiet singer - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. (7-10pm: Wednesday and Thursday; 7-11, Friday and Saturday). (www.saltcreekgrille.com)
- Tre Piani Restaurant
- Ruth Chris Steak House (for Harry, the Bulows, Sue Bowles, Bob Cavaliere and Brian Hardison!).
- There is a Food Court within a 3-minute walk.
Our hotel is right off Route 1, north of Princeton University. Carefully follow signs for
Forrestal Village and Ruth Chris Steak House as you loop around, or you will miss it.
Wed., Aug. 25 9 :00 a.m.: We car-pool less than 30 minutes from our hotel, south on Rt 295 to a
docent-led tour of PEACHFIELD PLANTATION, 180 Burrs Rd, Westhampton (near Mount Holly), NJ. Henry Burr, of the NJ Branch of our family, purchased 300 acres in 1695. This Colonial Dames-owned house is in a beautiful residential area. We then drive ten minutes and tour their tiny Old School House (1759). Within walking distance of the school we’ll have lunch at the excellent Robin’s Nest Restaurant, in the historic Mill Race Village section of quaint Mount Holly, and tour the nearby Old Jail and 1806 Courthouse.
5:30pm: We’ll arrive back at the hotel to meet our new arrivals.
Thurs., Aug 26 11:00am: Guided-tour begins of MORVEN MUSEUM and GARDEN, 55 Stockton Street, downtown Princeton. Home of Richard Stockton (a signer of the Declaration of Independence) and his wife, Annis Boudinot Stockton (a poet, whose letters to Rev. Aaron Burr’s wife we hope to see). Helena and I toured this wonderful museum (www.morven.org).
- Lunch at the Yankee Doodle Tap Room at Nassau Inn, lined with photos of famous University graduates, including Michelle Obama.
- Explore the shops of downtown Princeton Nassau Hall, built during the presidency of Rev. Aaron Burr.
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5:30pm: Meet new arrivals and consider taking advantage of happy hour prices at Salt Creek Grille?
Fri., Aug 27 a.m: Guided tour of Princeton Cemetery (est. 1757). The oldest surviving monument
is that of Rev. Aaron Burr, Sr., located in its Presidents’ Plot of the University, which also contains the burial plots and monuments of Col. Aaron Burr, Jr.; Jonathan Edwards and John Witherspoon. Other notables buried at the Cemetery include Pres. (Stephen) Grover Cleveland, pollster George Gallup, Lawrence Hutton, John O’Hara (Butterfield 8, Pal Joey), the parents of Paul Robeson, Paul Tulane, Richard Stockton, Jr., and Commodore Robert Field Stockton.
- At Firestone Library of the University, we will be shown valuable Burr-related items
including, hopefully, his death mask.
- We will visit the nearby Princeton Historical Society.
5:30pm: Gather at hotel for dinner nearby.
Sat., Aug., 28 11:00 - 12 noon: Social hour at the Terrace View ballroom at our hotel.
Guest Speakers - Our two speakers for the luncheon will be Suzanne Bowles (our historian), speaking about Aaron Burr, Jr.'s time at Princeton U., and the same with his father. And (2) Brian Hardison, talking about Col. Aaron Burr's military experience while stationed at Princeton.
12: noon - 4 pm: Our sit-down, served luncheon and business meeting at the Terrace
View ballroom, including planning next year’s annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. (Let us avoid any rainy season!).
Evening: There will be entertainment options available to those of us staying
overnight.
Our 2009 meeting in the Washington, DC area was well-attended and a great success. Thanks to U.S. Senator Richard Burr (NC-R) and his staff.
Dues Reminder: Please mail 2010 membership dues ($25) payable to ABA, to Stuart F. Johnson, letterhead address.
See you soon.
Stuart and Helena