Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

New Jersey Historic Trust Affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs

Samuel Dickinson Mansion/East Trenton Branch Library

Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund
Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund
Historic Site Management Grant
Grant Award: $24,447 (2005); $17,635 (2017); $750,000 (2019)
Grant Recipient: Trenton Public Libraries
County: Mercer
Municipality: Trenton

The main portion of the library was originally built in 1796 as the residence of Samuel Dickinson, son of Revolutionary War General Philemon Dickinson. In 1926 the house was enlarged to become a public library.  It retains elements of both 18th and 20th century construction. The building is well used by the community.  
 
The 2005 Trust grant helped fund the preparation of a preservation plan for the library. The 2017 Trust grant helped fund an update to the 2005 preservation plan that included conceptual plans for a new community use.  A second part of the project helps identify potential tenants, determine potential revenue opportunities, evaluate the interior space and develop a recruitment strategy to attract nonprofit tenants.   

The 2019 Trust grant helped fund the Phase I exterior restoration and interior rehabilitation of first floor spaces as a public library. Phase II of the project will include second floor restoration and rehabilitation for community use, including ADA accessible bathrooms. 

For more information, visit: http://www.trentonlib.org/ 


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