Trenton became the capital of New Jersey in 1790 and boasts a rich history that dates back centuries. Trenton served as a temporary capital of the United States during the winter of 1784, following the American Revolutionary War. From its role in the American Revolution to its industrial boom, this city has many stories to tell. We visited a few places in and around Trenton over the years.
- New Jersey State House
- Grounds for Sculpture
- Lower Trenton Bridge
New Jersey State House – Built in 1792 by Jonathan Doane, the State House is a must-see in the city and is one of the most historic sites in the area. The building is the third-oldest state house in continuous legislative use in the United States. The dome is covered with 48,000 pieces of gold leaf.
When we visited the State House in Feb, 2022, parts of the State House was under renovation including the Rotunda. We went on a guided tour of the building which lasted about 45 minutes.
Senate Chamber – Originally completed in 1903, the Senate Chamber exemplifies the style of “Classical Revival.” It is the third such chamber dedicated to the upper House to exist at the capitol. The first now serves as the Governor’s Office.
General Assembly – New jersey general assembly has 80 members. The room is beautifully decorated with a brass chandelier and the modern carpet evokes designs of years ago.
Grounds for Sculpture – was founded by artist and philanthropist Seward Johnson and opened in 1992 to facilitate the appreciation of contemporary sculpture. It has become one of the state’s most popular art exhibits, boasting 270 large-scale works by Seward Johnson and other up and coming US artists. The outdoor area is beautifully landscaped, with constantly changing sculptures dotted throughout the place. The complex has a restaurant and a couple of cafes. Plan on spending at least 2 hours in this place
Pictures of some of the sculptures as we went around the park:
Lower Trenton Bridge – Also called the Lower Free Bridge or Trenton Makes Bridge, this 2-lane bridge crosses over the Delaware River, connecting Trenton in the state of New Jersey to Morrisville in the state of Pennsylvania. It is also known as the Trenton Makes Bridge because of large lettering of its motto that was installed on the south side of the structure in 1935 that states, TRENTON MAKES – THE WORLD TAKES. The slogan was meant to highlight Trenton’s industrial achievements and its role as a manufacturing hub.
