Biography of Ronald P. Rinaldi: Education, Reenactments, Career
Education
As a soldier, Washington Crossing Reenactment 1976
Ron Rinaldi started researching and reenacting the American Revolution in 1976, during our country's Bicentennial. He began his historical career as one of General George Washington's soldiers at the annual Washington Crossing the Delaware reenactment on Christmas Day 1976. After being introduced to the founder of this reenactment, St. John Terrell, by his mother, young adult author Ann Rinaldi, who was writing an article for the Trentonian, Ron "enlisted" for life in this iconic ceremony. During the Bicentennial he travelled throughout the east coast as a reenactor taking part in battles and encampments portraying both a militia soldier and Continental soldier. While studying American History in college at the George Washington University, he interned in the military history division of the Smithsonian Institute and at the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in Washington, D.C. Ron went on to earn an M.A. degree in Military History in graduate school at Duke University, has taught American History at both the high school and community college levels, and has an Ed.D. in Higher Educational Leadership.
Ron has worked as a historical tour guide at such prominent historical sites as The Old Barracks in Trenton, N.J., Washington Crossing State Park, N.J. & Pa., and Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pa.
The name "13 Fires Burn On" symbolizes the ongoing revolutionary experiment begun over 250 years ago by our founding fathers. It also symbolizes the continuing tradition of educating those interested in U.S. History which my mother Ann Rinaldi, who helped me start this wonderful adventure in 1976, has been doing for years through her historical fiction young adult novels and whose company is called "13 Fires, Inc."
Reenactments and Historical Site Positions
Historical Tour Guide:
Volunteer history interpreter Washington Crossing State Park, PA- (1977, 1978)
History interpreter Washington Crossing State Park, NJ (1979)
Tour Guide at The Old Barracks, Trenton, NJ- (1977-1980)
National Park Service Interpreter, Valley Forge, PA- (1982, 1983)
Museum Experience:
College Museum Internship- Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, Washington, DC (1980-1981)
College Museum Internship- Military History Division, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC (1981-1984)
Revolutionary War Reenactor 1976-Present:
Member of The Brigade of the American Revolution 1977-1986
Member of the Egg Harbor Guard Militia 1977-1979
Member of the Bergen County Militia 1979-1986
Independent reenactor at various historical sites and events 1986-Present
Member of Outwater's Militia (https://www.outwatersmilitia.com/)
Master's Thesis: 1986
"The Exigencies of War and Politics: New Jersey's legislative Struggles to Pass an Adequate Militia Law Under the Republican Ideology of the War for American Independence"
Today Ron is Executive Director at The Center School, a special needs school for students with learning disabilities, where he is imparting his experience and historical knowledge to students of all ages and bringing history to life.
Academic Experience:
Adjunct History Instructor Raritan Valley Community College
Adjunct History Instructor Warren County Community College
Adjunct History Instructor Union County College
High School History Teacher- Pennington Prep School
High School History Teacher- The Center School
Principal- The Center School
Executive Director- The Center School
Ron has worked as a historical tour guide at such prominent historical sites as The Old Barracks in Trenton, N.J., Washington Crossing State Park, N.J. & Pa., and Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pa.
The name "13 Fires Burn On" symbolizes the ongoing revolutionary experiment begun over 250 years ago by our founding fathers. It also symbolizes the continuing tradition of educating those interested in U.S. History which my mother Ann Rinaldi, who helped me start this wonderful adventure in 1976, has been doing for years through her historical fiction young adult novels and whose company is called "13 Fires, Inc."
Reenactments and Historical Site Positions
Historical Tour Guide:
Volunteer history interpreter Washington Crossing State Park, PA- (1977, 1978)
History interpreter Washington Crossing State Park, NJ (1979)
Tour Guide at The Old Barracks, Trenton, NJ- (1977-1980)
National Park Service Interpreter, Valley Forge, PA- (1982, 1983)
Museum Experience:
College Museum Internship- Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, Washington, DC (1980-1981)
College Museum Internship- Military History Division, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC (1981-1984)
Revolutionary War Reenactor 1976-Present:
Member of The Brigade of the American Revolution 1977-1986
Member of the Egg Harbor Guard Militia 1977-1979
Member of the Bergen County Militia 1979-1986
Independent reenactor at various historical sites and events 1986-Present
Member of Outwater's Militia (https://www.outwatersmilitia.com/)
Master's Thesis: 1986
"The Exigencies of War and Politics: New Jersey's legislative Struggles to Pass an Adequate Militia Law Under the Republican Ideology of the War for American Independence"
Today Ron is Executive Director at The Center School, a special needs school for students with learning disabilities, where he is imparting his experience and historical knowledge to students of all ages and bringing history to life.
Academic Experience:
Adjunct History Instructor Raritan Valley Community College
Adjunct History Instructor Warren County Community College
Adjunct History Instructor Union County College
High School History Teacher- Pennington Prep School
High School History Teacher- The Center School
Principal- The Center School
Executive Director- The Center School
Historical Presentations Available
Speaking at the annual Colonel Hand March in Lawrenceville, NJ
Since the 1978 Ron has given hundreds of presentations and talks on the American Revolution, The Life of the Continental Soldier, The American Republican Tradition, American Military History, General George Washington, and other related subjects to schools, colleges, civic organizations, and history groups. He has been invited as a guest speaker and lecturer to national holiday events such as July 4th, Armed Forces Day, and Veteran's Day.
As General Washington at Washington Crossing State Park with Chef Walter Staib on "A Taste of History" episode cooking for Washington's troops 2009.
After Washington crossed the Delaware and defeated the Hessians, Washington was able to retake New Jersey and hold on to it in the summer of 1777. Here General George Washington observes British Troop movements from
Washington's Rock, Greenbrook, New Jersey.
Ron at Washington Crossing the Delaware Reenactment 2012 as General Nathanael Greene standing with son Ronnie (drummer), son James (runner), and daughter Nicole.
6 Years later in 2018, still a family tradition every Christmas Day.
As Major General Nathanael Greene at the Washington Crossing the Delaware Reenactment 2012. (Photo by Ross Sieber)
Revolutionary War Reenactments from the Bicentennial 1976-1983, and later
Washington Crossing the Delaware Reenactment-2013
As Washington at Princeton Battlefield Young Patriot's Day
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