William Trent House facts for kids

William Trent House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
William Trent House in 2019
Location in Mercer County, New Jersey Show map of Mercer County, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	15 Market Street, Trenton, New Jersey
Area	5.2 acres (2.1 ha)
Built	1719 (1719)
Architectural style	Georgian
NRHP reference No.	70000388
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	April 15, 1970
Designated NHL	April 15, 1970

The William Trent House is a historic building located at 15 Market Street in Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey. It was built in 1719 for William Trent and is the oldest building in Trenton. He founded the eponymous town, which became the capital of New Jersey. It has served as the residence for three Governors. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places and listed as a National Historic Landmark on April 15, 1970, for its significance as an example of Early Georgian Colonial architecture.

History

During the Summer of 1798, the federal government evacuated to Trenton to escape a yellow fever epidemic plaguing the temporary national capital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following Congress's adjournment in July (in Philadelphia), President John Adams spent the rest of the summer and most of the fall at his home in Quincy, Massachusetts. Trent House housed federal offices until November, when the danger was deemed to have passed.

Recently, the building has been undergoing renovation including a new visitors center, funded by a grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust. It serves as a historic house museum.

Gallery

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  Postcard showing the house, and the gazebo

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  Historic American Buildings Survey photograph