QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: tglover320@optimum.net
This is indeed an historic keepsake from the DAILY TRUE AMERICAN describing the beautiful new Trenton Free Public Library. The page has been scanned at 300 dots per inch but the legibility may be limited due to downsizing for viewing on this web site. Happy Birthday from a grateful public for all those years of faithful service, and of course to the fabled "Trentoniana" room, now capably staffed by Ms. Wendy Nardi.
One could call it "the golden years." The library was a very important part of a very vibrant capital city. Yard's, Goldberg's, Swern's, Nevius Voorhees, Kudra Furs, Dunham's, many theaters, and Trenton Transit buses entering and leaving town in an constant cycle. There are too many other memories of the past that marked the growing and thriving city of Trenton. I am now, and will remain a lover of the city of Trenton. Like many of my contemporaries who remember the aforementioned thriving capital city in her glory years, I pray for some sort of revival. Perhaps someone will come along and capitalize on the historic heritage of that great home town. Perhaps someone will come along and curb the violence that has been one of the main causes of the city's descent into its current state.
Sally Logan Gilman said...Hi Tom: It's me again. I too love Trenton and always will. It breaks my heart to drive though downtown on the few occasions when I get back "home.'' My parents were born and raised there and they always loved their "city.'' But Trenton is like many of the cities in New England that have fallen on hard times. Trenton will always be special to me and my memories are of a vital, beautiful place.
Ralph Lucarella said...THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG. FOR A CAPITOL CITY, LOCATED BETWEEN TWO OF THE LARGEST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY, TO BE IN SUCH A STATE. tRENTON MAKES THE WORLD TAKES, WAS THE MOTTO FOR YEARS. MANY BELIEVE THE UNIONS DROVE THE LARGE COMPANYS AWAY, KEEP INSISTING ON HIGHER WAGES AND OTHER BENEFITS. IT'S A SHAME THERE IS'NT ANOTHER MAN LIKW ART HOLLAND AROUND, HE MADE A BIG CHANGE IN THE CITY WHILE HE WAS MAYOR. ALL WE CAN DO IS HOPE FOR THE BEST.
The old girl has fallen on hard times. I would hope that there will be a brighter future for the Trenton Public Library. The Trentoniana Collection is unsurpassed, with photographs, articles and other local history treasures within those 110 year old walls, many items of which date back to the earliest years of Trenton. There is an unfortunate perception that the area in which the library is located is unsafe, due to Trenton's deteriorating image with the criminal element. Such a perceptions has kept numerous acquaintances from venturing "up town."
Pray for this old and beloved library. At the present time, the wonderful old repository is going through very rough financial times. The locally famous "Trentoniana" room has local history treasures that go back to Colonial times. Local libraries all around the state are tightening their financial belts; an unfortunate situation given the fact that during recessionary times the library is a haven for job seekers and others who need the countless services rendered to communities. 
This beautiful inside book cover label of the Trenton Public Library comes to us courtesy of Mr. Bill Schultz. I had never seen it before, and find it to be very interesting historical memorabilia from the splendid past ot the Free Public Library of Trenton. Thanks for sharing this with us, Bill!
Like today, libraries all over the country are hosting patrons who are coming to research employment opportunities in an era when the country is in a deep recession. The above posts are particularly interesting at this time, due to the financial problems being faced by the Trenton Public Library, with the threat of branch closings and other serious austerity measures.
THANKS TO THE W.C. MOORE FAMILY OF TRENTON, THIS INCREDIBLE RELIC OF THE POST CIVIL WAR ERA WAS SAVED FOR POSTERITY BACK IN 1947. TOO OFTEN, THOSE WHO HOLD HISTORIC RELICS AND MEMORABILIA TOO OFTEN DEEM THEM "JUNK" AND THROW THEM IN THE TRASH. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY HISTORIC ITEMS IN MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WHICH I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO RESCUE FROM THE RECYCLE BIN.
The Trenton Public Library was in the planning stages more than a century ago, and the spot chosen was the location of the Joseph Wood School. As seen in the clipping accompanying this post, the old school received a temporary reprieve.
Hi Tom: The Trenton Public Library was one of my favorite places when I was a journalism student at Rider College in downtown. We visited it on The Contemporary Club's Tour of Trenton event. It was a thrill for me to walk around like I had when I was a teen. It was a stop I will never forget. Thanks for the momories. Best wishes.
Friday, April 13, 2012