The TCNJ Trenton Puerto Rican Oral History Project
The Trenton Puerto Rican Oral History Project is led by Faculty at the College of New Jersey. It is a collaborative initiative that aims to uncover and preserve the rich history of Puerto Ricans in Trenton, New Jersey. Launched in 2017, this project is led by a TCNJ faculty and staff team, including Samuel Kanig, Isabel Kentengian, Robert McGreevey, Susan Ryan, and Ann Warner-Ault. Working together from various departments and units, including the Center for Community Engagement and Departments of World Languages and Cultures, History, and Communication Studies, professors, staff, and students collaborate with community leaders and Trenton-based organizations.
Puerto Ricans were the first Latin American group to emigrate in large numbers to Trenton during the peak of the city’s manufacturing economy in the 1950s. Despite facing initial challenges and racism, they established successful businesses, educational programs, and public service opportunities that continue to thrive today.
The stories and contributions of Puerto Ricans have been largely absent from official city archives, a gap this project seeks to address. The project’s primary objectives are twofold: to educate city residents about the essential role of Puerto Ricans in Trenton’s history and to encourage more Latino/a residents to share their stories, photographs, and archival material with the Trenton Public Library for future generations. To achieve these goals, TCNJ students and faculty have conducted over 60 oral history interviews with key community leaders and longtime Puerto Rican residents.
Student-produced Work
TCNJ students have created various materials as part of this project, including:
- Transcriptions and audio recordings of oral history interviews
- Research papers on various aspects of Trenton’s Puerto Rican history
- Digital archives of collected photographs and documents
Puerto Ricans in Trenton
The History of the Trenton Puerto Rican Parade
The following films were created and produced by students in 2018 in Dr. Susan Ryan’s Community Documentary Class in collaboration with Samuel Kanig, TCNJ Bonner Coordinator and Community Fellow. These short documentaries, shot and edited by TCNJ students, showcase previously untold stories and unsung heroes within the community, including world-renowned musicians and artists.
- Overview of the Trenton Puerto Rican Oral History Project (Directed and Edited by Treasure Davis and Tiffany Spooner)
- History of the Trenton Puerto Rican Parade (Directed and edited by Samuel Kanig, Connor Chemris, and Ryan Soldati)
- The Cuatro With Ten Strings: A Profile of José Gabriel Múñoz (Directed and Edited by Ryan Soldati and Austin Hill)
- Profile of Tattoo Artist, Berto Cintrón (Edited by Thomas Matis and Connor Chemris)
- Profile of Percussionist Ernesto Mariano Medina (Edited by Ian Salzman and Brianna Jacks
Future Directions
As we continue to grow, the Trenton Puerto Rican Oral History Project aims to:
- Expand our oral histories to other Latin American immigrant groups in New Jersey
- Develop educational materials for local schools
- Create public exhibitions to showcase our research findings
- Establish a digital archive for long-term preservation and public access
- Collaborate with other institutions studying Latino/a communities in New Jersey
Community Partners
- Catholic Charities El Centro de Recursos para Familias
- Trenton Free Public Library
- Trenton Puerto Rican Community and Friends Organization
- Trenton Puerto Rican Parade Committee
- Westminster Presbyterian Church
Special thanks to the following individuals, without whom the project would not have been possible:
- Samuel Kanig
- Roberto Hernández
- Laura Poll
- Paula Figueroa-Vega
- Reverend Karen Hernández Granzen
- All of the interviewees
For more information about the Trenton Puerto Rican Oral History Project or to get involved, please contact Samuel Kanig at kanigs@tcnj.edu or Ann Warner-Ault at warner@tcnj.edu