Trenton Landmarks and Monuments

(Trenton, New Jersey - NJ, USA)

As the New Jersey capital, there are a number of important landmarks present within this city, including historic sites, monuments and memorials.

The most famous and recognisable sight in the whole of Trenton is without question the New Jersey State House, which is to be found standing on West State Street, on the western side of downtown Trenton. This is actually the second-most historic state capitol building in continuous use in the USA, being constructed in the early 1790s. However, this stately landmark's appearance has changed greatly over the subsequent centuries, particularly following major fire damage in 1885, and the structure was last extended and remodeled in 1911.

Guided tours are provided and take in the main rooms, such as the galleries of the Senate and Assembly, as well as the state legislature house and the reception room of the governor.

New Jersey State House

Address: 125 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey (NJ), 08608, USA
Tel: +1 609 847 3150
The New Jersey State House is topped with a large dome, which is clearly visible from many parts of the city and measures just over 44 meters / 144 feet in height. The cast-iron dome itself is almost 46 meters / 150 feet wide and is covered with close to 50,000 individual pieces of gold leaf, making it gleam whenever the sun makes an appearance. A recent restoration of the golden dome cost in the region of US$9 million, while the original construction of the State House cost a mere US$400 for the entire building.
Open hours: guided tours, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 15:00, first and second Saturday of the month - 12:00 to 15:00, tours are on the hour, by reservation
Admission: free

College of New Jersey (TCNJ)

Address: 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing Township, New Jersey (NJ), 08618, USA
Tel: +1 609 771 2131
The College of New Jersey is a major educational landmark found some 15 minutes to the north of Trenton, in the neighboring suburb of the Ewing Township. This institution was founded way back in the middle of the 1850s by the New Jersey Legislature and has grown to accommodate approximately 7,000 students, the majority of which are undergraduates. The campus itself is called home by a series of imposing buildings around the Alumni Grove, such as both Decker Hall and Norsworthy Hall. Recreational spaces are concentrated around Ceva Lake and Sylva Lake. Sports facilities at the college come in the form of the Lions Stadium (American football), a baseball diamond and a large athletics track.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Trenton City Hall

Address: 319 East State Street, Trenton, New Jersey (NJ), 08608, USA
Tel: +1 609 989 3000
The state capital's City Hall dominates East State Street with its grand columns and arches. Constructed in the year 1907 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places towards the end of the 1970s, the hall is used for many formal functions by the local mayor. In 2001, a permanent collection of portraits depicting each of the city's mayors was unveiled. At Christmas time, crowds of locals gather here for the annual tree lighting ceremony in early December, which always involves live music and food stalls selling hot refreshments to keep the winter chills at bay.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 16:30
Admission: free

Trenton Battle Monument

Address: 348 North Warren Street, Trenton, New Jersey (NJ), 08625, USA
Tel: +1 609 737 0623
Located within the Battle Monument Reserve and on the northwestern side of the city center, the Trenton Battle Monument is a Beaux Arts-type landmark of great historical importance and was built between the years of 1891 and 1893, at the cost of just over US$60,000. This tall, fluted column is approximately 46 meters / 151 feet tall and this height includes its crowning bronze figure, which depicts America's very first president, George Washington (1732 to 1799). Further interest is provided by three individual bronze reliefs, which have been sculpted to portray important moments in local history, namely the Delaware River Crossing, the Hessian Surrender and the Opening of the Battle.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free