George Washington's reception at Trenton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
George Washington's reception at Trenton

Washington's Reception by the Ladies, on Passing the Bridge at Trenton, N.J. April 1789, on His Way to New York to be Inaugurated First President of the United States by John Jacob Hipp, 1897
Date	April 21, 1789 (1789-04-21)
Venue	Bridge over the Assunpink Creek City Tavern
Location	Trenton, New Jersey

Imagine a huge party thrown just for one person! That's what happened on April 21, 1789, in Trenton, New Jersey. The "Ladies of Trenton" social group organized a special welcome for George Washington. He was on his way from his home at Mount Vernon to New York City. New York was the capital back then, and Washington was going there to become the very first President of the United States.

To celebrate, a beautiful arch was built over the bridge at Assunpink Creek. This arch honored two important victories Washington had won there. These were the Battle of Trenton in December 1776 and the Battle of the Assunpink Creek in January 1777.

A Special Welcome for George Washington

Washington's Journey to Become President

On April 6, 1789, something big happened. The United States Congress officially announced that George Washington had been elected president. This was after the first-ever Electoral College vote.

Washington then left his home in Mount Vernon on April 16. He began his journey to the capital city. By April 20, he arrived in Philadelphia. There, a huge crowd greeted him. They even had a decorated arch waiting for him at Gray's Ferry Bridge.

The Trenton Celebration

The next day, around 2 PM, Washington crossed the Delaware River. He rode into Trenton on a white horse. He first stopped at the Eagle Tavern. Important people like General Philemon Dickinson met him there.

The main celebration happened at the bridge over the Assunpink Creek. A large, beautiful arch stood there. This arch had thirteen pillars, wrapped with green leaves and flowers. A banner on top of the arch read: "The Defender of the Mothers Will Also Protect Their Daughters." This message was written in shining gold letters.

The ladies of Trenton and their daughters were waiting past the arch. They were all dressed in white. As Washington rode by, the daughters sang a special song. It started with "Welcome, mighty Chief!" They also spread flowers in his path. It was a truly memorable moment.

Later that day, there was a dinner and party. It was held at the City Tavern.

Washington's Thank You Note

As Washington left Trenton, he wrote a special thank-you note. He sent it to the Ladies of Trenton. He said he was deeply touched by their welcome. He mentioned how amazing it was to see the same spot where he had fought battles now decorated so beautifully. He also spoke of the "white-robed Choir" of young girls. He promised that this moment would stay in his memory forever.

After Trenton, Washington continued his journey. He went to Princeton. That was another place where he had won an important battle, the Battle of Princeton in January 1777.

Remembering the Event

Lasting Legacy

The special arch from Trenton was used again years later. It was moved to the entrance of the New Jersey State House. This was to honor the Marquis de Lafayette. He visited the United States in 1824.

In 1989, the celebration was re-enacted. This was 200 years after Washington's original reception. It helped people remember this important historical event.

In 2018, a new sign was put up near the old Trenton Ferry site. This sign tells the story of Washington's special welcome.

Artistic Views of the Reception

Many artists have painted or drawn this famous event.

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  Old Trenton Ferry historic information sign

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  View of the Triumphal Arch, engraving by James Trenchard, 1789

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  Triumphal Arch site information sign

In 1792, John Trumbull made a charcoal sketch. It was called Bridge and Arch at Trenton. Later, between 1823 and 1835, Thomas Kelly created an engraving. It showed Washington's reception on the Bridge at Trenton in 1789.

In 1845, a company called Currier and Ives printed a lithograph. It was titled Washington's Reception by the Ladies. Another artist, John Jacob Hipp, made a similar print in 1897.

Louis Kurz painted the reception, and his work was printed in 1907. It was called George Washington entering Trenton 1789.

One of the most famous paintings was made in 1930 by N. C. Wyeth. It's a large painting called Reception to Washington on April 21, 1789, at Trenton on his way to New York to Assume the Duties of the Presidency of the United States. You can see it today at Thomas Edison State University. In 2019, this painting was given to the university. It was a very valuable gift, worth about $4 million.

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  Engraving by Thomas Kelly, 1823–1835

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  Lithograph by Currier and Ives, 1845

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  Lithograph by Kurz and Allison, 1907

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  Painting by N. C. Wyeth, 1930