Jan. 1, 2007: Today's Tour Guide, Henry Williams

Story and Photos By Joe Zlomek

Temperatures were in the chilly-but-not-cold 40s on the ground Saturday (Dec. 30, 2006) in Trenton NJ. They were chillier more than 100 feet in the air, where mild winds added some bite, but Henry Williams didn't seem to mind.

Bundled in an oversized and warm forest green parka, and a matching cap with an emblem that proclaimed "State Parks Service, Division of Parks and Forestry," Williams looked comfortable. And, he admitted, he was popular ... or, at least, popular on this day.

Williams is a tour guide. He operates the elevator that takes visitors to the top of the Battle Monument in Trenton, which commemorates two victories of the American Continental Army over Hessian regiments in the city's streets on Dec. 26, 1776. The battles were Gen. George Washington's first decisive wins of the Revolutionary War.

On most weekends, Williams' job is a lonely one. City residents are inured to the 148-foot-high granite edifice and its small surrounding park; after all, it's been open to the public since 1896. Moreover, the monument is located about a half-mile north of the busy state capital buildings, which draw greater tourist interest. So the traffic Williams ferries up to the monument's circular balcony, and back down again, is sparse on most days.

Not Saturday. It marked the end of Trenton's annual Patriots Week observance, during which the city celebrates its Revolutionary past. A battle re-enactment, complete with soldiers and townspeople in period costumes, was staged in the monument's triangular park as part of the event. A crowd gathered and, while awaiting the battle, visitors enjoyed the balcony view. "I've been busy since 8 this morning," Williams explained with a smile. "Had about a hundred people up there."

Decades ago, the curious would have had to climb a staircase to the top. Installing the elevator made it easier to enjoy the monument as designer John H. Duncan -- who was the architect of Ulysses S. Grant's Tomb in Washington DC -- intended. It also gave Williams a job.

Williams spent much of his life in Florida, where he was raised and served in the military. He moved to Trenton, he said, "to get married here." He paused, then smiled and added, "That was a mistake. Been here ever since."

Whether the marriage or the move was his error, Williams didn't say. On other topics, however, he was a genial host. He chatted with guests about Trenton's development, decline, and re-development. He pointed with pride to new affordable housing that was springing up along the park's east side, revitalizing the neighborhood. He encouraged everyone to enjoy the sights.

"They (his superiors) told me people could stay up here as long as they wanted today," Williams said, "so stay." Some folks did, if only for a few minutes longer, providing Williams with company almost as warm as his parka.

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