timeline

1910

The Trenton Young Men’s Hebrew Association established.

The Trenton Young Men’s Hebrew Association established.
1910

1917

The Trenton YMHA purchases building on South Stockton Street, which became known as the Jewish Community Home (later the Jewish Community Center).

The Trenton YMHA purchases building on South Stockton Street, which became known as the Jewish Community Home (later the Jewish Community Center).

1924

Louis I. Kahn graduates University of Pennsylvania, begins working in Philadelphia.

Louis I. Kahn graduates University of Pennsylvania, begins working in Philadelphia.
1920

1936-37

Kahn begins work on NJ Homesteads (Roosevelt, NJ) project with architect Alfred Kastner.

Kahn begins work on NJ Homesteads (Roosevelt, NJ) project with architect Alfred Kastner.
1930

1950

A fellowship to American Academy in Rome, with trips to ancient ruins in Greece, inspires Kahn to begin developing his mature design ideas.

A fellowship to American Academy in Rome, with trips to ancient ruins in Greece, inspires Kahn to begin developing his mature design ideas.
1950

1952

JCC begins work with Trenton architect Louis S. Kaplan on a new community center.

JCC begins work with Trenton architect Louis S. Kaplan on a new community center.

1954

A site for the new center is purchased in Ewing Township, a suburb of Trenton. Louis I. Kahn is hired as architect for the project. Louis Kaplan is named “associate architect.”

A site for the new center is purchased in Ewing Township, a suburb of Trenton. Louis I. Kahn is hired as architect for the project. Louis Kaplan is named “associate architect.”

1955

Opening day of the Trenton Bath House, July 31, 1955.

Opening day of the Trenton Bath House, July 31, 1955.

1957

Day Camp Pavilions are completed. Kahn’s final concept for the site is never realized.

Day Camp Pavilions are completed. Kahn’s final concept for the site is never realized.

1959

Kahn begins six-year construction on Jonas Salk Institute in La Jolla, CA.

Kahn begins six-year construction on Jonas Salk Institute in La Jolla, CA.

1962

The Community Center building for the JCC complex, designed by the architecture firm of Kelly and Gruzen, is dedicated.

The Community Center building for the JCC complex, designed by the architecture firm of Kelly and Gruzen, is dedicated.
1960

1974

Kahn’s final project, the Capital Complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is completed.

Kahn’s final project, the Capital Complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is completed.
1970

1984

The Bath House and Day Camp Pavilions are listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.

The Bath House and Day Camp Pavilions are listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.
1980

1997

Preservation New Jersey and the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects both place the Trenton Bath House on their lists of endangered buildings.

Preservation New Jersey and the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects both place the Trenton Bath House on their lists of endangered buildings.
1990

2001

The JCC receives a grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust to commission a preservation plan for the Bath House and Day Camp Pavilions.

The JCC receives a grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust to commission a preservation plan for the Bath House and Day Camp Pavilions.
2000

2004

My Architect: A Son's Journey, which receives an Academy Award nomination for best documentary feature, premieres, raising the Bath House’s public profile.

My Architect: A Son's Journey, which receives an Academy Award nomination for best documentary feature, premieres, raising the Bath House’s public profile.

2005

The JCC announces plans to move from Ewing to West Windsor.

The JCC announces plans to move from Ewing to West Windsor.

2007

Using public open space funds, Mercer County acquires the JCC site, places historic preservation and conservation easements on it, and transfers ownership to Ewing Township.

Using public open space funds, Mercer County acquires the JCC site, places historic preservation and conservation easements on it, and transfers ownership to Ewing Township.

2009

Ewing Township receives a matching grant, in the amount of $750,000, from the New Jersey Historic Trust for restoration of the Bath House and Day Camp Pavilions. Ewing Township and Mercer County will work in partnership to restore these structures.

Ewing Township receives a matching grant, in the amount of $750,000, from the New Jersey Historic Trust for restoration of the Bath House and Day Camp Pavilions. Ewing Township and Mercer County will work in partnership to restore these structures.

2011

The Bath House is restored, two of the Day Camp Pavilions are reconstructed, a new snack bar and plaza are built, and the site is rehabilitated to current accessibility standards.

The Bath House is restored, two of the Day Camp Pavilions are reconstructed, a new snack bar and plaza are built, and the site is rehabilitated to current accessibility standards.
2010

2012

Representing Kahn’s original intention, the new parking area and landscape add order, and they control both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Representing Kahn’s original intention, the new parking area and landscape add order, and they control both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.