Our History

Our Founding 

In December 1920, Helen Wood Green (later Mrs. James Imbrie), who had friends involved in the Junior League of New York, held a meeting at her home on West State Street in Trenton, NJ, to which she invited 25 of her friends residing in the area. A representative from New York City was there to explain what a Junior League did. It was decided then that this group would form the Junior League of Trenton whose purpose would be “to give to its members the opportunity to obtain a knowledge of the social, literary, and industrial conditions of their city; of the fields of social and civic work which were open to them; and by classes, discussions and social gatherings to equip them to become factors for good in their community and to make efficient their volunteer services.” With Miss Green as its first president and the Junior Leagues of Baltimore and New York as its sponsors, the Junior League of Trenton became one of 30 members of the Association of Junior Leagues of America in February 1921.

The organization, founded as the Junior League of Trenton in 1921, changed its name to Junior League of Central Delaware Valley in 1974 to better reflect the wide area served. However, as the Princeton area grew over the next 15 years, more League members identified with “Greater Princeton” than “Central Delaware Valley,” which was often confused with being in Delaware. Thus, the League became the Junior League of Greater Princeton in 1991.

Historic Timeline

February 1921- The Junior League of Trenton was formed by Mrs. Helen Wood Green with 25 of her friends and the Junior Leagues of Baltimore and New York as sponsors in order to create projects to meet the needs of the community.

April 1921 - The first fundraiser sponsored by the Junior League of Trenton was a dance held at the Trenton Country Club. The highly successful affair netted $1600, which was used to furnish the dining room of the New Jersey Children’s Home Society.

1924 - First League project was a baby shelter, which was a place where small children could be temporarily housed and cared for when mothers were too ill to care for them at home. It was closed in 1934 after caring for 450 children.

1920’s & 1930’s - Entertainment programs for children produced by League members brought live theater experience and education on abuse to thousands of area school children using puppets and marionettes.

1947 - “The Bargain Box” opened in the old Boys Club building which offered good used clothing and household items at low cost. It was open for 24 years. It was the League’s major fundraiser contributing $12,000 per year for community projects.

1950 - The doors of the Child Guidance Center of Mercer County opened within the Union Industrial Home building at 2 Whittlesley Rd. This is the first League project undertaken on a cooperative basis with other community agencies.

1960 - The Presidents’ Bowl Award was inaugurated to honor the Active member with the most outstanding record of service to the community, the League and her family for the year. The Award is presented in the form of a Revere bowl which serves as a trophy and is passed on from year to year.

1974 - The first Designer Showhouse took place at Barley Sheaf of Bucks County. The Designer Showhouse would become the major fundraiser held by the Junior League of Greater Princeton every other year to support two years’ of community projects.

1991- Amendment of The Certificate of Incorporation to change the name to the Junior League of Greater Princeton, to better reflect the communities served.

1996 - Special $7500 anniversary grant given to Mount Carmel Guild Nursery School, commemorating 75 years of Junior League service to the community.

1999 – “Regent’s Mead” held at what is now the Manor House at Princeton Academy becomes the largest Showhouse ever produced by the Junior League of Greater Princeton raising $150,000 for community projects.

2000 - “Millennium Project” with Union Industrial Home, establishing a computer and resource center and mentoring program for at-risk teen mothers using state of the art computer software and volunteer interaction with the young mothers.

2001 - The Junior League of Greater Princeton celebrates its 80th anniversary by establishing a scholarship program.

2002 – Designer Showhouse XII entitled “The Hilfield House” takes place. Major leadership restructuring establishes Governance by a Council system to improve efficiency and communication. The “Annual Campaign” Fundraiser is instituted.

2003 – Project work with Fisherman’s Mark, Family Guidance Center, Community Action Service Center, Mercer County Hispanic Association, Homefront, and Millhill Child Development Center

2004 – JLGP focus area is revised to early childhood education & literacy.

2005 – In April, the 2005 – 2008 JLGP Strategic Plan is presented to the Membership.  In May  ROCKETS (Raising Our Children’s Knowledge by Educating Through Science) is approved as the JLGP’s Major Impact Project. ROCKETS is a theme-based science program created to educate preschool age children through a curriculum including reading, art, math, and science.  In September, the JLGP implements the first year of ROCKETS with partner Trenton Head Start (THS) providing science and math enrichment to 90 children ages 3-5 years.

2006 – Designer Showhouse & Gardens XIV entitled “Fifty Hodge” continues to provide the financial resources for the Junior League of Greater Princeton to develop the potential of women, improve communities and promote voluntarism. 2007 – The first Annual ROCKETS Teacher Launch Seminar is held at Rider University.  Sixty teachers attended the one-day workshop led by science education specialist Steve Spangler, and participated in hands-on science activities that they will take back to their preschool/early elementary classrooms. 2008 – Designer Showhouse & Gardens XV is held at “Ridge House” on Drakes Corner Road in Princeton.  The ROCKETS logo is trademarkedby the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

2009 – The League holds the second annual Teacher Launch Seminar in January with over 75 attendees.  The Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected, and Missing Children and the Cherish the Children Foundation jointly award the JLGP's ROCKETS program its 23rd Annual Organization Award.  The League hold its first Rhythm & Brews Festival, a music fundraiser, in May.