Trenton Project

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THE TRENTON PROJECT is a workshop for community research, storytelling, advocacy and art. Founded and led by filmmaker Purcell Carson, we craft multi-disciplinary creative work, listening closely to how individuals experience the post-industrial American city. We use documentaries as a tool for research and engagement. We investigate structural inequality to support social reckoning. We cross borders to examine international migration. We show up for local, face-to-face, community building.

Historian Alison Isenberg's teaching and research has deepened our historical scholarship and helped shape our role in the public humanities. Princeton University's programs in community-engaged scholarship and civic engagement have guided our outreach. And we couldn't do this work without our Trenton partners—including The Trenton Free Public Library, Artworks, Westminster Presbyterian Church, The College of New Jersey, the NJ Humanities Council.

We invite you to attend a screening, join a working group, learn more about us and our past events, watch about us, watch some films, and share your thoughts.

HIGHLIGHTS

"The Morgue" work-in-progress session with the film's participants and community artists, community organizers, and local historians. Hosted at ArtWorks Trenton.

The Harlan Joseph Peace Park team gathers in the offices of NJ Conservation Foundation to talk about next steps —including for us, how to document what the Ewing-Carroll residents imagine for a park.

Winter 2024. Research and filming for a new project, stay tuned!

She's With You at Trenton Student Film Festival

"She's With You" is featured at the Trenton Student Film Festival. Congratulations to N'Dea Piliavin-Godwin, Julia Stern, and Cailyn Tetteh

"Preaching to the Heavens", a portrait of Shiloh Baptist's Rev. Howard Woodson, by Angela Allen and Mattie Isaac wins the 2024 New Jersey Studies Alliance research award.

Browse our past events here

VOICES OF TRENTON

At THE TRENTON PROJECT, our goal is to research, explore, and reflect the stories of Trentonians. Our screenings, like this website, aim to amplify the diverse voices of a city. We'd like to celebrate just a few of our thoughtful and generous collaborators here. And extend thanks to everyone who's helped us along the way.

Rachel Haslon

"You hear people say, 'you're a product of your environment.' But I'm not a product of my environment, I'm a producer of my environment." Rachel Haslon on growing up in the Miller Homes

→ Watch "THE LEGACY OF THE MILLER HOMES"

Cheryl Kastrenakes

"For years jobs have been moving out to the suburbs, but the people in the cities tended to stay in the cities. So the lack of reliable transportation was really impacting them." Cheryl Kastrenakes, Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association

→ Watch "Z LINE"

Jacqui Ivey

"There's a lot of history that walks these streets and lives in these homes and we want those stories to be told." Jacqui Ivey of The Conservatory Mansion, talking about urban renewal in The Coalport neighborhood

→ Watch "GREEN INSIDE THE REDLINE"

Andre Thomas

"We have to give young folks a place to fit in. Ultimately, they have to make choices, but that has to develop." Andre Thomas at Isles

→ Watch "A FORK IN THE ROAD"

Padre Francisco Pozo

"Somos gente de trabajo y gente de fe que han venido aquí con un gran compromiso. We are working people and people of faith who have committed to being here." Padre Francisco Pozo, advocating for immigrant rights.

→ Watch "SIN MIEDO / WITHOUT FEAR"

Rev. Darrell Armstrong

"In 1980 when he ran for mayor of Trenton, I think he saw it as the culminating expression of his influence. He saw his religious and political roles merge." Rev. Darrell Armstrong on the Rev. Howard S. Woodson.

→ Watch "PREACHING TO THE HEAVENS AND SERVING ON EARTH"

OUR FILMS

Since 2013, we have produced over sixty short films about how cities shape and sustain the people who live there. Please browse our collection by topic or search here for a specific film.