New Jersey State House
New Jersey State House | |
---|---|
General information | |
Architectural style | American Renaissance |
Location | 125 West State Street Trenton, New Jersey United States |
Coordinates | 40°13′14″N 74°46′12″W / 40.220437°N 74.769902°W |
Construction started | 1792 |
Completed | 1911 |
Client | State of New Jersey |
Owner | State of New Jersey |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Jonathon Doane (1792), John Notman (1845), Samuel Sloan (1871), Lewis Broome (1889), James Moylan (1891) |
Designated | August 27, 1976 |
Part of | State House Historic District |
Reference no. | 76001161[1] |
The New Jersey State House is the capitol building of the U.S. state of New Jersey and is the third-oldest state house in continuous legislative use in the United States.[a] Located in Trenton, it was originally built in 1792 and is notable for its close proximity to the state border with Pennsylvania, which makes it the closest capitol building to a state border. The building accommodates both the New Jersey Legislature's Senate and General Assembly chambers, offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and various state government departments.
The State House has experienced numerous expansions and renovations to meet the growing needs of the state since its original construction. Designed by Jonathan Doane, the original structure has seen architectural inputs from other notable architects across the centuries. The State House underwent a significant restoration and modernization project in 1987, and another renovation project that started in 2017, with a major focus on the Governor's Office and related Executive Branch agencies.
The New Jersey State House deviates from the architectural trend of most U.S. capitol buildings, which are reminisicent of the U.S. Capitol, and is integrated into an urban setting instead of a park-like campus. It offers daily tours to the public and provides an educational platform for middle and high school students.
History
After the Legislature relocated to Trenton from
Modern renovation
A lengthy renovation and restoration project began in 1987. The project encompassed the legislative section of the building, an upgrade of mechanical and electrical systems, and the construction of the South Addition (office space). A parking garage, pedestrian tunnel, and other amenities were also constructed.[2]
In 2017, a $300M restoration of the entire building mainly focused on the Governor's Office and related Executive Branch agencies began[4][5] and was scheduled to finish in 2023.[2] The Governor's Office and other areas that were closed for renovation were officially re-opened at a dedication ceremony on May 1, 2023.[6]
Design
The New Jersey State House is unusual among state capitol buildings in the United States, the majority of which are reminiscent of the
Tours
Tours are offered daily Monday through Saturday, except state holidays. The tours typically include the Senate and Assembly chambers galleries, party conference rooms, the rotunda and Governor's Office reception room. Middle and high school teachers can receive a grant from the Eagleton Institute to cover the cost of transportation for field trips to take tours of the New Jersey State House.[7]
See also
- List of the oldest buildings in New Jersey
- List of state and territorial capitols in the United States
Notes
- Maryland State Capitol and the Virginia State Capitolare older.
References
- ^ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places — Mercer County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection — Historic Preservation Office. December 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "New Jersey State House Building History - NJ State House Tour Office". Tour Office. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ISBN 0899505511.
- ^ Matt Arco, What's your $300M for Statehouse renovations getting so far? Here's an inside look., NJ Advance Media for NJ.com (March 4, 2018).
- ^ Samantha Marcus, $300M Statehouse renovation sparks conflict between Murphy administration, Legislature, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com (October 22, 2019).
- News 12 New Jersey(May 1, 2023).
- ^ "Travel to the NJ State House. For Free. Field Trip!". The Civic Educator. 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2017-09-12.