125 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608-1101
(609) 633-2709
M-F 10-3. 1st &;3rd Saturday Noon-3
Landing in the back yard of the capitol (called the State House) pretty much by accident on one of the Saturdays that it was opened turned out to be a real blessing. (Google it as Trenton State House). Gov. Christie was urging people BACK to the Jersey shore after Irene’s fateful stop on the news last evening. (Earlier in our travels, he was on TV telling people the get the H--- away from the shore.)
Since parts of the original building are still intact and part of the overall structure, this capitol building is considered the second oldest state house in continuous use (Annapolis, Maryland is considered the oldest…catch that one in the near future, I hope).
Senate: 40
House/General Assembly: 80
Date Complete: Original portion dates to 1792; North Façade c 1845, other additions and reconstruction after fire—periodic. Cost of original building –approximately $400.
Architect: John Notman (1845 addition) and others for further additions/reconstruction
Style: Various, including Second Empire—Doric/Corinthian columns—late Victorian
Getting there: Once we fell into the city, it was easy to find and get around. Again, we were there on Saturday. So… Also, Amtrak and bus service.
Parking: Saturday parking was “princess parking” right at the front door. On the street parking. No meters. Also, limited free parking in garage located behind the State House and metered street parking during the week.
State Library: open M-F 8:30-5pm
Liberty Bell: Each state and most territories have been gifted at least one replica of the liberty bell. Each bell is numbered. Missouri has two—one of which is located at the Harry S Truman Library (#54) in Independence, MO, given by the city of Annecy-le-Vieux to the city of Independence. My guess would be that this choice was made as Truman was President at the time of the gifting. The second one was given to the State of Missouri and resides on capitol grounds (#20).
The fifty five full-sized replicas were cast in 1950 by the Paccard Foundry in Annecy-le-Vieux, France and shipped as gifts to states and territories to thank the United States for its part in France’s liberation. They were funded by a savings bond drive.
In some states, the replica bells are located inside the building/outside on the grounds of the capitol; some states have located them in other prestigious places such as state historical societies; some states don’t seem to have a clue where it is.
New Jersey’s bell (#24) is located in the Perth Amboy Town Square (City Hall Circle). Thus, we did not see it. Tradition: On Independence Day (July 4th) this bell is rung thirteen times for the original colonies. There ceremonies at 2:00 include the reading of [parts] the Declaration of Independence. We did see it.
Cornerstone: Original cornerstone is part of the original foundation which we did not find.
Dome/Rotunda/Dome topper: The dome is gilded with a smaller cupola, also gilded, above it. The rotunda houses the staircase that melds the old and the newer portions of the State House.
Art: As always, a great array of original art. Both the House and Senate have murals painted high close to the ceiling representing history and industry of New Jersey. Stained glass. Bronzes. Painted portraits of governors. Don’t forget the porcelain red oak (more below).
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| Liberty and Prosperity (State Emblem) |
Tours: Guided tours, 10 or more, call for reservations. Since we were the only ones there when the door opened, James gave us a private tour.
Quarter: Washington crossing the Delaware on that fateful Christmas Eve
Entered Union: 3rd
James gave us a limited tour of the great hall, the Senate, the House and the Governor’s reception room. He was a great guide. There are many areas highlighted in their brochure which we did not see. Answered every question I threw at him with no hesitation. (How many governor’s has New Jersey had…he answered 55, but it seems that number should be much higher since the state is so old, but who am I to argue).
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President, had been both President of Princeton and Governor of New Jersey.
The neighborhood abounds with well-kept row houses. There are no grounds of which to speak.
What’s unique:
• New Jersey is very conscious of her counties: The great hall flew the county flags from each of them.
• They are also very proud of their state emblems. (There is no state song). In one portico, there is a porcelain red oak tree with gold finches and honey bees (one of each to represent each county). The state fruit is the high bush blueberry. Clumbs surround the red oak tree. (There are probably twenty one of these as well). It also has one lady bug to represent the one woman governor they have had. It is protected under unbreakable glass. The entire figure is porcelain. A great creation (in my not so humble opinion)!
The carpeting in one of the Chambers (forgot which one) also highlights state emblems with red oak leaves, gold finches and bumble bees.
• One of their booklets is on Pastimes and Trivia. (A GREAT CIVICS lesson.) Designed for youth, but great fun for adults—trivia pages, crossword puzzle, a maze for the passage of bills, word builders, word search.
• I tend to emphasize the Civil War period of our great American history, but New Jersey is chucked full of War of Independence history (American Revolution), as well. From Jockey Hollow (near Morristown) where Washington’s troops wintered twice to the State House to the capture by Washington of Trenton from the Hessian troops on Christmas Eve. Old Barracks Museum (admission is charged for this). Houses turned museums (most have admission). And the visitors’ center in the old Masonic Lodge room—no admission (somehow we missed this).
• World War II memorial is awesome. Across the street from the State House Building. It has two main panels of pictures emphasizing the European and Pacific Theaters. The emphasis is “Victory”! Beautiful bronzes. Love the soldier. He looks so real!
• This is the first capitol that we not only had to go through metal detectors, but also had to show our ID’s which were recorded in a log. The Coastal cities and states, I guess, generally have to be more vigilant than some of the mid-western states.
• “Little Mac” George McClellan, former United States commanding general during the War Between the States (American Civil War) was a governor of New Jersey later in his life. I found it extremely ironic that his portrait was hung next the bronze of President Abraham Lincoln. McClellan was the Presidential candidate that opposed Lincoln in the 1864 election. I commented on the irony to James, and he got it immediately.
Quarter:
"Washington Crossing the Delaware" which includes George Washington (standing) and James Monroe (holding the flag) Caption: "Crossroads of the Revolution"
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
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