It seems hard to believe, but it has been 300 years since William Trent built his house on the banks of the Delaware River and laid out a settlement which he incorporated and named “Trent-towne”. This name was later shortened to “Trenton”. Who could have known that this settlement would become the turning point of the American Revolution, the one time capital of the United States, the birthplace of pork roll, and the Capital City of New Jersey?
To celebrate and to look back on 300 years of history, the 1719 William Trent House will be hosting “People, Places, Events Exhibit: 300 years of Trenton History” on display from January 19th through March 10th.
Once settlers from across the ocean began to inhabit the lands of the Lenape on the banks of the Delaware, Trenton has been home to immigrants: both to those who came here willingly, seeking jobs and opportunity for a better life, and to those who came here under duress. The William Trent House, its inhabitants, its surroundings and its circumstances represent that history. It is the history of the town, of the state, indeed of the nation.
As the 300th year anniversary of the House begins, and historians help shine a light on her whole story, the Trent House Association has invited local and regional visual artists to submit works that highlight the 300+ year history of the city of Trenton. Works may depict Trentonians from any period in her history, famous, infamous or unknown. They may depict Trenton places significant or insignificant or they may depict events glorious or ignominious.
The 2019 display includes: Marge Miccio Rainy Day Market Street, Pastel and Colored Pencil; Kevin Hogan Battle 2.0, Digital Photo on Metal; Maria Mijares Decision, Acrylic on Board; Andrea Bachike Wallace, Paul Gregor Bachike, Graphite Pencil; John Gummere, Calhoun Street Bridge, Oil on Canvas; and Friday Night, Lafayette Street, Oil on Canvas.
The 1719 William Trenton House is located at 15 Market Street and is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. To learn more visit https://williamtrenthouse.org/.
