An evening on the town to help preserve Trenton’s historic architecture? Don’t mind if we do!
The Trenton Historical Society (THS) will be hosting its seventeenth annual Stop the Wrecking Ball on Saturday, November 19th from 6-9 pm. The Trenton Historical Society hosts its annual ball to fundraise for the Preservation Committee’s Restore Trenton! Historical Property Rehabilitation Grant Program. Each year, the THS chooses a historic property to host the ball in, giving attendees a rare glimpse into a space that the public would not otherwise be permitted to view.
Guests can enjoy an elegant evening in a typically off-limits building with a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the city’s celebrated historic properties. This year, the ball will be held at 35 Clark St., a beautifully-renovated carpenter shop turned office space. The building previously belonged to the Roebling family as a part of their massive headquarters in Trenton. After sitting vacant for 40 years, in 2017 the work began on stabilization efforts. In 2021, the building was restored by HX2 Development LLC. for office use. The second floor would later go on to be leased by Princeton Hydro, the host of the evening’s festivities.
During the ball, guests will be able to enjoy live music, food catered by local restaurants, and more. A portion of the evening will feature a silent auction where guests can bid on a variety of Trenton-centered treasures. A few of the items up for auction include original artworks, Trenton memorabilia, goods and services donated by Trenton businesses, and more.
The Trenton Historical Society serves as an invaluable resource to the City of Trenton. According to their mission statement, “The Trenton Historical Society’s mission is the study and interpretation of Trenton’s history, preservation of its historic buildings and artifacts, and dissemination of information about New Jersey’s capital city and its illustrious past.”
The Restore Trenton! Historical Property Rehabilitation Grant Program is a fund utilized to help homeowners restore and preserve eligible historic properties throughout the city. To qualify, a unit must be located within Trenton and be at least 50 years or older. Preference is given to units located in historic neighborhoods, Trenton residents, and those listed as an individual property on city, state, or national registers of historic places. Funding can be used for a variety of purposes including restoration of architectural features, exterior painting, roof repairs, and more.
If you’re interested in attending, please visit the Trenton Historical Society website to get started. If you have any questions, please contact THS at trentonhistoricalsoc@gmail.com or (609) 396-4478.
