Day: July 3, 2021

Mercer County, Trenton

Trenton Celebrates Historic Broad Street Bridge

July 3, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Today a celebration was held for the historic Broad Street Bridge, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Broad Street and Lafayette Street. Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora along with John Koopman portraying General Gorge Washington hosted a honor guard and a military drill. Participating in the drill were the 3rd Regiment, “Jersey Blues” 3rd NY Regiment, Long Island Cos. and the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.

Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News

Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News

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 — Source Wikipedia

n the center of the painting, George Washington, entering riding on a white horse and holding a tricorner hat, passes under a large decorated arch and is greeted by children holding baskets of flowers and spreading them in his path. He is escorted by several men on horseback in the background. At the top of the arch are two dates: Dec. 26, 1776 (First Battle of Trenton) and Jan. 2, 1777 (Second Battle of Trenton). The arch also has a banner that reads “The Defender of the Mothers Will Also Protect the Daughters” on a blue background. The arch is decorated with laurel greenery and a single, large sunflower at the top. The sunflower was said to represent the phrase, “To You Alone”.[7]

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

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 is a large-scale oil painting completed in 1930 by American artist N. C. Wyeth of president-elect George Washington at his reception in Trenton, New Jersey during his journey to the 1789 inauguration in New York City. The mural was commissioned by the First Mechanics National Bank of Trenton, now part of Wells Fargo.[1][2] It has been on display in the lobby of Thomas Edison State University since 2013. Wells Fargo donated the painting to the university in 2019, the most expensive gift ever given to the university.[3][4]

.N. C. Wyeth was an American artist, known for his illustrations in Treasure Island.[5] His works are part of the collection at the Brandywine River Museum.[6] The First Mechanics National Bank of Trenton commissioned the work in 1927, at a time when Trenton was planning to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its settlement, 1679–1929. Wyeth thought that George Washington’s reception at Trenton on his journey to the first inauguration in New York City was an appropriate subject.[1][2] As part of his research in 1928, Wyeth used a letter to the editor dated April 25, 1789 and published in the May 1789 issue of the Columbian Magazine to compose the mural. The letter describes the reception on April 21 in detail and included an illustration of the Triumphal Arch.[7][8] Wyeth made a preparatory sketch using watercolor and gouache on paper in 1928.[9] He then created and completed the oil painting by 1930 in his studio at Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.[1][4] The bank installed the mural in its new building at One West State Street in Trenton. The site was the location of the former City Tavern, where Washington had been for a formal dinner and reception on April 21.[10] The painting was cleaned and restored from 1993 to 1994.[1]Wells Fargo, subsequent bank to First Mechanics, loaned the painting to Thomas Edison State University in 2013, when the bank moved its branch to another location.[11] In 2019, Wells Fargo donated the painting to the university. Valued by Sotheby’s at $4 million,[12] this was the highest-value gift ever given to the university.[3]

State of NJ

NJ State Police Deploy Additional Patrols Statewide for July 4th Holiday Weekend

July 3, 2021

West Trenton, N.J. – The New Jersey State Police would like everyone to enjoy their holiday weekend as the State continues to open after the COVID-19 pandemic. With residents celebrating Independence Day for the first time in two years, we understand that everyone wants to reconnect with family and friends whether at a barbecue, driving to the Jersey Shore, or spending time on the water. We would like everyone to dust off their safety playbook and give it a read before heading out for the holiday weekend.

During the July 4th holiday last year, there were eight fatal crashes that resulted in nine deaths, with alcohol or drugs as a contributing factor in four of them. These types of tragedies can often be avoided by calling a taxi, using transportation applications such as Uber and Lyft, making plans to stay with friends or family, or having a designated driver. We also want to remind motorist that fatigued drivers can often display the same signs as intoxicated drivers. If you are planning a long road trip, please ensure that you are well-rested before driving and utilize service areas to stop and rest.

The New Jersey State Police have planned to increase traffic enforcement details across the state from 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 2 to 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5. During this period, more than 60 additional troopers will be on special details targeting aggressive driving, speeding, seatbelt usage, distracted driving, and DWI in addition to regularly scheduled patrols.

Motorists are reminded that when they see emergency vehicles on the side of the road to move over. According to New Jersey’s Move Over Law, drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and other highway safety vehicles displaying flashing lights must move over to leave an empty lane next to those vehicles. If it is not safe to move over, drivers must slow down below the posted speed limit.

The State Police Marine Bureau will also be patrolling the state’s waterways this weekend, and troopers will be looking for signs of boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs and reckless operation of boats and personal water crafts. For additional information on boating safety and requirements please visit www.njsp.org/marine-services/index.shtml.

“New Jersey and the rest of the country have reason to celebrate. We are celebrating our nation’s independence, and we are celebrating the end of many of the sacrifices we made together to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “While enjoying all that New Jersey has to offer this holiday weekend, we remind everyone to do it responsibly. On behalf of the New Jersey State Police, I would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe Fourth of July weekend.”