Ellarslie Mansion Trenton, NJ
Ellarslie Mansion in Trenton NJ is an Italian Villa that was originally built for Henry McCall Sr. of Philadelphia as a summer home in 1848. The architect who designed the home was John Notman who also designed the first Italianate building in America at Burlington, NJ. Notman was recognized for designing and expanding the New Jersey State House and the designing the State Hospital in 1848. This unique historical landmark is a must visit in Trenton NJ. Here’s a bit more about its history.
History of Ellarslie Mansion
In February of 1881, Henry McCall Jr. sold the mansion to George Farlee for $25,000. In 1888, the city of Trenton bought the property from Farlee for $50,000. The purchase included the surrounding 80 acres to create the city’s very first public park called Cadwalader Park. The park itself became a landscaping project and was under the management of Frederick Law Olmsted.
In 1889, the city of Trenton opened its own museum, which closed just a few years later. The Ellarslie has since been an ice cream parlor, restaurant and monkey house. It has since also been home to multiple important families from New Jersey.
Again in 1971 Trenton City Council passed a resolution to establish the Trenton City Museum. It opened in 1978 and included an exhibition that includes the museum’s current permanent collection. It is now a part of the National Registry of Historic Places as well.
Changing Exhibits
The Museum also has multiple exhibits that change throughout the years. Currently, the museum has two ongoing exhibits entitled Going for Gold and The Bigger Picture. Visitors can explore the artifacts and collections from the colonial time-period along with other historic and educational programs.
Art Collection
The Ellarslie Mansion museum also offers an art collection to explore. The second floor of the museum is home to its permanent collection of fine and decorative arts. You’ll also find industrial and cultural artifacts on the second floor, all of which were created right there in Trenton NJ.
Trenton also has a rich history of potteries, which by 1880 had expanded into the hundreds. The Museum serves as a final resting place for many of these extensive ceramic and porcelain wares which encompass yellow ware, tile, terra-cotta, and even art pottery.
In fact, in 1898, the School of Industrial Arts was opened to encourage skilled workers for potteries. It was a location where potters and other young people could learn the trades of these industrial and high-demand arts.
You can explore the collection of Mrs. Alice Maddock who was the wife of Thomas Maddock of the British pottery family, in the museum was featured in 2014. She gave her collection to the city of Trenton NJ in 1902.
There are countless collections to explore the art and beauty of these ceramic pieces at the Mansion, and with a single visit, you’ll begin to understand why Trenton, New Jersey was the world’s home for industrial pottery at one time.
Visit the museum as a family or alone to explore the history of this mansion and of the city’s industrial period.
History of Ellarslie Mansion
In February of 1881, Henry McCall Jr. sold the mansion to George Farlee for $25,000. In 1888, the city of Trenton bought the property from Farlee for $50,000. The purchase included the surrounding 80 acres to create the city’s very first public park called Cadwalader Park. The park itself became a landscaping project and was under the management of Frederick Law Olmsted.
In 1889, the city of Trenton opened its own museum, which closed just a few years later. The Ellarslie has since been an ice cream parlor, restaurant and monkey house. It has since also been home to multiple important families from New Jersey.
Again in 1971 Trenton City Council passed a resolution to establish the Trenton City Museum. It opened in 1978 and included an exhibition that includes the museum’s current permanent collection. It is now a part of the National Registry of Historic Places as well.
Changing Exhibits
The Museum also has multiple exhibits that change throughout the years. Currently, the museum has two ongoing exhibits entitled Going for Gold and The Bigger Picture. Visitors can explore the artifacts and collections from the colonial time-period along with other historic and educational programs.
Art Collection
The Ellarslie Mansion museum also offers an art collection to explore. The second floor of the museum is home to its permanent collection of fine and decorative arts. You’ll also find industrial and cultural artifacts on the second floor, all of which were created right there in Trenton NJ.
Trenton also has a rich history of potteries, which by 1880 had expanded into the hundreds. The Museum serves as a final resting place for many of these extensive ceramic and porcelain wares which encompass yellow ware, tile, terra-cotta, and even art pottery.
In fact, in 1898, the School of Industrial Arts was opened to encourage skilled workers for potteries. It was a location where potters and other young people could learn the trades of these industrial and high-demand arts.
You can explore the collection of Mrs. Alice Maddock who was the wife of Thomas Maddock of the British pottery family, in the museum was featured in 2014. She gave her collection to the city of Trenton NJ in 1902.
There are countless collections to explore the art and beauty of these ceramic pieces at the Mansion, and with a single visit, you’ll begin to understand why Trenton, New Jersey was the world’s home for industrial pottery at one time.
Visit the museum as a family or alone to explore the history of this mansion and of the city’s industrial period.
Read about Historical Sites in Trenton, NJ