Trenton Garden Tour Marks America's 250th With Living History Experience

Trenton's Old Mill Hill Society will mark the nation's 250th anniversary with an expanded garden tour that doubles as a citywide history experience, connecting private gardens, historic landmarks, and a narrated shuttle loop on Saturday, June 6.

The 35th Annual Garden Tour, themed Seeds of Liberty: A Moving History Experience, runs from noon to 5 p.m. and is organized by the Old Mill Hill Society. Tickets and orientation begin at Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley.

At the center of the event is a hop-on/hop-off shuttle that circulates throughout the afternoon, connecting five locations across the city. Onboard, historical interpreter Bill Agress portrays General George Washington, drawing from letters, military accounts, and personal reflections to bring the Revolutionary War era to life for passengers.

"This year's tour is about more than opening our gardens; it's about opening the city itself," said Terry West, OMHS Garden Tour Chair. "Seeds of Liberty invites people to move through Trenton as history unfolded — across neighborhoods, landmarks, and stories that continue to shape who we are today."

Visitors will receive a commemorative Seeds of Liberty Passport — a printed booklet in which they collect stamps at each stop. Completed passports are returned to Artworks at the end of the day.

The five shuttle stops are:

• Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley — the central hub for ticketing, orientation, and departure.

• Mercer Cemetery — established in 1843, featuring newly installed murals by artist Leon Rainbow, plein air artists, QR-coded historical markers, and live jazz and blues performances.

• Old Mill Hill Neighborhood — more than 25 private gardens open to visitors, reflecting colonial planting traditions and the history of the residential district.

• 1719 William Trent House Museum — one of the oldest surviving structures in Trenton, offering guided tours, an ice cream social, music, dance, and a Great Migration talk. June 6 also marks the 90th anniversary of the Trent House Commission.

• Old Barracks Museum — a key site in the Battle of Trenton, offering outdoor programming. Visitors with a Seeds of Liberty wristband receive $10 off admission. The museum is preparing for a grand reopening on July 4, 2026.

"At its heart, this day is about bringing people together through gardens, through history, and through shared experience," said Simran Riar, president of the Old Mill Hill Society. "We're proud to open our neighborhood and our city to everyone."

Ample parking is available at Artworks. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early. More information is available at trentonmillhill.org.

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