Downtown in Trenton in Mercer County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Kelsey Building

Photographed By Gary Nigh, December 2007

1. Kelsey Building Marker

On the Right side of the front door.

Inscription.
(On the right side of front door)
This building was erected by
Henry Cooper Kelsey
as a tribute
to the memory of his wife
Prudence Townsend Kelsey
and for the use of
the students of arts and crafts
of the City of Trenton

A.D. 1910

((On the left side of front door)
The School of Industrial Arts
of the City of Trenton

Erected 1910.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 40° 13.229′ N, 74° 46.096′ W. Marker is in Trenton, New Jersey, in Mercer County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of West State Street and Barrack Street, on the right when traveling east on West State Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Trenton NJ 08608, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Changing Landscapes Along Petty's Run (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Steel Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Barracks Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Beulah A. Oliphant (within shouting distance of this marker); State House

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Story of Trenton (within shouting distance of this marker); Petty's Run (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Trenton Steel Works (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Trenton.

Regarding Kelsey Building. The Kelsey Building was built in 1911 by Henry Kelsey, Secretary of State for NJ, with personal funds as a memorial to his wife Prudence who died in 1904.

It has been host to four different schools: The Industrial Arts School, Trenton Junior College
which became Mercer County Community College and Thomas Edison State College.

Photographed By Gary Nigh, December 2007

2. Kelsey Building Marker

On the left side of the front door.

Kelsey Building Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gary Nigh, December 2007

3. Kelsey Building Entrance

Kelsey Building EntranceTiles image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gary Nigh, December 2007

4. Kelsey Building EntranceTiles

These tiles were produced by Herman Mueller, a renowned local craftsman.

Above the Kelsey Building Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gary Nigh, December 2007

5. Above the Kelsey Building Entrance

Behind the clock on the second floor is a room dedicated to Prudence Kelsey's memory. It contains some of her large collection of porcelain and as a condition of the donation of this building must be open to the public at least once a year.

Kelsey Building Clock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gary Nigh, December 2007

6. Kelsey Building Clock

The carat marks on the face of this clock (between the IX and X and under the XI) mark the time of Prudence Kelsey's death, 11:49.

Kelsey Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gary Nigh, December 2007

7. Kelsey Building

This building was modeled after the Villa Strozzi in Florence, Italy.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2008, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,246 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 3, 2008, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey.