The Trent House Association presents a talk by Reverend José Rodriguez on the history and contributions of Trenton’s Puerto Rican community at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in the visitor center. This free talk will be given in both English and Spanish.
Puerto Ricans began arriving in Trenton in the 1930s and 1940s, with more coming during the city’s industrial boom of the 1950s and 1960s. Trenton’s first major Hispanic group faced significant obstacles and racism, but their pioneering efforts established business, education, and public service opportunities that have benefited subsequent Spanish-speaking newcomers. Because of early Puerto Rican leadership, others from Latin America and the Caribbean coming to Trenton have been able to find bilingual daycare and public-school education, enjoy Spanish-speaking church services, and have important documents translated into Spanish.
Reverend Rodriguez is Director of Education at Trenton’s Iglesia Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church, where he oversees multiple ministries including the Sunday School, Bible Institute, and programs for youth and families. Reverend Rodriguez is the founder and president of the Rodriguez Family Foundation. Since its inception in 2019, the Foundation has worked with local, county, and state government and community organizations on issues related to health, nutrition, parenting, public safety, and voting. He was a volunteer Chaplain for twenty years at the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility in Bordentown and is a U.S. veteran. Reverend Rodriguez holds a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies and is pursuing a doctorate in Community Care Family and Marriage Counseling.
The William Trent House Museum is a National Historic Landmark in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area and on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. The Museum is dedicated to sharing the authentic history of the house, property, and people with our communities, connecting the past with today and tomorrow. Owned by the City of Trenton, it is operated by the Trent House Association, which is supported by the generosity of its donors; by grants from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, the New Jersey Cultural Trust, the New Jersey Historic Trust, the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission with funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission, and the Bunbury Fund and the New Jersey Arts & Culture Renewal Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation; and by contributions from NJM Insurance Group and Orion General Contractors. For more information, visit www.williamtrenthouse.org.
