Efforts to erect a monument honoring the
American success at Trenton, began as early as
1843, but little was accomplished until the
1880's. By then, the former New Jersey Monument Association had obtained a new charter and
a new name - the Trenton Battle Monument
Association. In December 1886, the Association
selected a lot at the junction of Greene (formerly
Queen, now Broad) and Warren (formerly King)
Streets as a site for the monument. In June 1887,
advertisements for designs and specifications for
the monument were published.
It took another four years to raise enough
money for the project, but on September 20,
1891, with $30,000 from the U.S. Congress,
$15,000 from the State of New Jersey and
$15,000 in private subscriptions, groundbreaking
ceremonies took place. A parade, lunches, speeches and fireworks characterized
the day. Three months later, on December 26, 1891, the corner-stone was laid marking the 115 anniversary of the Battle of Trenton.
On October 19, 1893, elaborate
dedication ceremonies were held. An estimated 20,000 people attended the commemorative exercises. Another 100,000 crowded the streets of Trenton. Cannons boomed and bands played patriotic music. Souvenir ribbons sold for 25 cents. One of the day's highlights was the unveiling of three bronze plaques for the base of the monument. These plaques were funded by the states of Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut whose home troops had participated in the Battle. Although President Cleveland was unable to attend, Governors of eight of the 13 original states did. The monument opened to the public on December 26, 1896
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