Clarkson S. Fisher Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Federal courthouse in Trenton, United States
The Clarkson S. Fisher Federal Building and United States Courthouse is a federal courthouse in Trenton featuring a stripped neoclassical design with large stone columns at its entrance on East State Street. The structure houses federal court proceedings and administrative services.
Designed by James A. Wetmore and completed in 1932, the building was originally known as the United States Courthouse and Federal Building. It was added to the state register of historic places in 1989 and to the federal register in 2012. In 1993 it was named for federal judge Clarkson Sherman Fisher, who died in 1997.
The building holds murals by Charles Wells; the sources name the artist but not the subjects depicted, so visitors should not expect a documented narrative cycle. The courthouse is still an active federal court, so the interior is generally seen only when attending proceedings or official business rather than on a museum-style walk-through.
The building occupies a block in downtown Trenton, and its entrance on East State Street is the one to look for. As an active federal courthouse, it screens everyone at the door, so allow time for security checks and carry photo identification. Courtrooms and offices are working spaces, so expect parts of the interior to be closed to the public.
The building received its current name in 1993 to honor Clarkson Sherman Fisher, who served as a federal district judge in New Jersey. This late renaming meant the structure was known by other names for nearly six decades.
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