Present a broad range of cultural experiences for the communities we serve and develop audiences for the future.
To support that mission, the foundation has become a partner with the administration of the Trenton Public School system to provide performing arts experiences for every child in Trenton. The foundation is raising awareness and funds to provide expanded performing arts programming for the entire community.
Patriots Theater at the War Memorial and The Patriots Theater Foundation are committed to providing the highest quality of performing arts programming for the community.
Honoring the Vision of the Past
The Soldiers and Sailors War Memorial was officially dedicated on January 19, 1932, at the second inaugural of Governor A. Harry Moore. Conceived by Trenton’s community leaders to pay tribute to the men and women from Trenton and Mercer County who sacrificed their lives during The Great War, the War Memorial Committee pledged “to erect a memorial that would combine beauty, dignity and civic utility.”
The original fund-raising campaign for the War Memorial included donors from every walk of life: John Heffler pledged $5, describing himself as “a veteran of the German army;” The Kuser School’s eighth grade class contributed $6.45; Hotel bootblack Charles F. Mason pledged $25; and Mrs. Anclien of Brunswick Avenue, a Gold Star mother, sent 50 cents. Siegfried Roebling pledged $25,000, ultimately tripled his pledge, making him by far the largest contributor.
As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the War Memorial, we honor the vision of the architect, Louis S. Kaplan, and his mentor, William A. Klemann, as well as the civic and community members who made that vision a reality.
