History is for Everyone

NJ, USA

New Jersey State House

Government Building

The New Jersey State House in Trenton has been the seat of the state legislature since 1792 and is the second-oldest state capitol building in continuous use in the United States. The building stands in the heart of Trenton's government district, near the site where the Continental Congress met briefly in 1784 when Trenton served as the temporary national capital.

What Happened Here

Trenton became the state capital of New Jersey in 1790, partly because of the town's association with the revolutionary victory of 1776. The current State House incorporates portions of the original 1792 structure, though it has been expanded and renovated multiple times. In November and December 1784, the Continental Congress met at the French Arms Tavern in Trenton, briefly making the town the capital of the United States. The location of the State House in Trenton is a direct legacy of the town's revolutionary significance.

Visiting Today

Address

125 W State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608

Hours

Tours available by appointment; call for current schedule

Admission

Free

Connected Events

Nov 1776
Fall of Fort Washington

Johann Rall, Nathanael Greene

Nov 1776
Continental Army Retreats Through Trenton

George Washington, Nathanael Greene

Dec 1776
Intelligence Gathering Before the Crossing

John Honeyman, George Washington, Johann Rall

Dec 1776
Hessian Garrison Established at Trenton

Johann Rall, Abraham Hunt, Phillis

Dec 1776
Washington Crosses the Delaware

George Washington, John Glover, Henry Knox, John Cadwalader