Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2024.027.001 |
Object Name |
Medal |
Title |
Trenton Battle Monument Medal |
Description |
This silver circular medal features an embossed image of the Trenton Battle Monument on the front. The medal is attached to a piece of fabric by a small metal link at the top. Above the fabric, there is a gold rectangular piece of metal with a curvy embossed design and an inscription below that reads "SOUVENIR." The inscription is surrounded by an embossed rectangle made of tiny circles. On the back of the gold piece is a pin for attaching the medal to clothing. The fabric is colored red, white, and blue in alternating vertical stripes, and it features a gold inscription that reads "FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE." A small gold rectangular piece is attached at the bottom of the fabric. The image of the Trenton Battle Monument on the medal depicts a square pedestal, a cylindrical pillar, and a statue of George Washington atop it, though the statue is faint. Small trees and buildings appear in the background. Around the edge of the front of the medal, there is an embossed inscription that reads, "TRENTON BATTLE MONUMENT OCT. 19. 1893." The area surrounding the inscription is elevated. On the back of the medal, there is an embossed image of George Washington's head. Around the edge of the back, the inscription reads, "GENERAL WASHINGTON 1776." According to the State of New Jersey's website, the Trenton Battle Monument was designed to honor George Washington's victory over the Hessian soldiers at the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. On December 26, 1776, General Washington led his troops across the Delaware River to surprise the garrisoned Hessians in Trenton. Following a series of defeats, the Battle of Trenton marked a pivotal moment in America's struggle for independence from the British Empire. The cornerstone for the monument was laid on December 26, 1891-115 years after the battle took place. The monument was officially dedicated on October 19, 1893, 112 years after British General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. Designed by John H. Duncan, with the statue of George Washington created by William O'Donovan, the monument stands 148 feet tall and is constructed of granite in a Roman-Doric style. As of 2024, the monument is open to the public during daylight hours. Citations: State of New Jersey. (n.d.). Trenton Battle Monument Historic Site Overview. Official Site of the State of New Jersey. https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/trentonbattlemonument.html |
Date |
1893 |
Material |
Metal, Fabric |
Artist |
Unknown |
Height (in) |
3.750 |
Length (in) |
1.500 |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall: There are accretions all over the metal. Front: There are black accretions all over the metal. Back: Some of the paint is chipped off near the square shaped gold piece of metal on top. Also, there are black accretions all over the medal. |
Inscription Type |
Inscription |
Inscription Location |
Front, Top to Bottom, Left to Right |
Inscription Technique |
Embossed |
Inscription Text |
"SOUVENIR" Line 1 "FIRST IN" Line 2 "WAR" Line 3 "FIRST IN" Line 4 "PEACE" Line 5 "TRENTON BATTLE MONUMENT OCT.19.1893." Inscription Embossed Back, Bottom, Left to Right "GENERAL WASHINGTON" Line 1 "1776" Line 2 |
People |
George Washington John H. Duncan William O'Donovan John Pierce |
Classification |
Government & Politics Monuments & Statues |
Subjects |
Metals Medals Commemorations Monument builders Monuments Monuments & memorials Politics & government Politicians Generals Military officers Historic sites |
Search Terms |
George Washington Metal 1893 19th Century General Military Silver Blue White Red Gold Pin Fabric President Trenton Battle Monument October 19 First in War First in Peace Souvenir George Washington John H. Duncan William O'Donovan Medal Hessians Delaware River Trenton Architecture Statue Battle of Trenton Revolutoinary War 1776 Trenton Battle Monument Medal Damon Tvaryanas Trenton Historical Society |
Provenance |
This item was donated to the Trenton Free Public Library by the Trenton Historical Society in the name of Damon Tvaryanas. Damon Tvaryanas retired as president of the Trenton Historical Society in 2024. It became part of the Museum Collection in July of 2024. |