1933: A LOVELY AND BUCOLIC SCENE IN CADWALADER PARK

As a reminder, this photo shows the area that adjoins the Hiltonia section of Trenton. Speaking of which, tomorrow, May 5, the Hiltonia folks are holding an open house tour program. See the graphic below for details.

1937: BUILDING THE MONKEY HOUSE AT CADWALADER PARK

I remember it well! Once you accepted the distinctive "aroma" of the Monkey House at Cadwalader Park, it was really fun to watch and interact with those cute little monkeys as they swung around in their cage. I will never understand why they didn't build a separate facility instead of putting that monstrosity on an historic mansion. However, that is the position of many of us who are pro-historic preservation. Cadwalader was and is one of Trenton's un-polished jewels. At one time there were Sunday afternoon and evening concerts with many famous names performing under an outdoor band shell. Recent news reports indicate a renewed effort to place more emphasis on improving that beautiful park.

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: Oh, that monkey house. Once you adjusted to the smell, it was a fun place to visit. We lived just a few blocks from Cadwalader and I went there often. There were fireplaces and a covered place to eat out of the weather, if need be. My mother and father took me to the fireworks and my father always made sure I got a good start at the Easter Egg Hunt. The smaller kids got at the front of the line before they opened the main entance. Friends say there is an art gallery there now so I hope the true Trenton gem is being preserved. Regards.

Monday, May 09, 2011

1938: THE MONKEY HOUSE AT CADWALADER PARK

I remember the monkey house. I also recall that it was a very pleasant visit as long as you breathed through your mouth. The stench was quite unpleasant. I also recall the "bear pit." I felt so sorry for that bear whose home was a big hole in the ground with bars on top so visitors could see him. To me that was animal cruelty. Today the "Mansion," better known as Ellerslie is an incredibly beautiful museum; the bear pit and the monkey bars long gone.

THIS FROM OMAD:
A friend and I attended a luncheon event at the museum a couple of years ago with the food provided by the Culinary group from the state prison. Food was excellent. The docent told us that on some very hot days the old "aroma" from the monkeys still comes up through the floorboards.

1936: THE CANAL FEEDER AT CADWALADER PARK

Unfortunately, there are pitifully few 70 and 80 year old seniors who use the computer. If there were, I would bet that many of the "West Enders"in their number would fondly recall taking a cooling dip in the canal at Cadwalader Park.

1913: "The Cadwalader Park Tunnel'

This was a very familiar place for me back in the 1960's when I was deeply involved in metal detecting on the sprawling and beautiful grounds of Cadwalader Park. This photo is from the era when offset photos were very primitive. It took a bit of tweaking with Photoshop and this is the best I could do to bring out the details, even though they are very obscure...(Look closely; that's a horse drawn buggy going toward the tunnel.

1918: E,C, HILL'S CIVIL WAR CANNON GIFT TO CADWALADER PARK

This is not to be confused with the "Swamp Angel" which Hamilton's Civil War Roundtable restored and had moved to Cadwalader Park. The "Angel" was a "Parrot Gun," and fired a completely different missile. It is interesting to note that this armament was also made in South Trenton Arms and Ordnance Works.

1938: THE MONKEY HOUSE

You are an old timer if you went to visit the monkey house at the Ellarslie mansion in Cadwalader Park. Besides the humorous antics of the monkeys, the thing I recall the most is the unpleasant aroma that surrounded the area!

1938: Do You Remember "The Monkey House?"

You are wearing silver in your sideburns if you remember when
Cadwalader Park hosted "The Monkey House." I remember it well. I also remember that there was a distinctive aroma as you approached the area. Today, the gorgeous "Ellerslie" hosts a cultural museum with art exhibits, and other cultural affairs.