Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion's curator, Karl Flesch, joins the Jersey Arts Podcast to review pieces from their current exhibition, Gotta Match! We encourage you to view the photos below as you listen so that you can join in on our remotely-guided sneak peek of this unique show.
Gotta Match! explores the fascinating history of matchbooks, match covers, and ashtrays, revealing how these everyday objects became miniature works of art, powerful promotional tools, and reflections of American popular culture—all relating back to Trenton’s commercial and manufacturing history. The exhibit encourages visitors to compare the glamorous image of smoking promoted in the past with today’s understanding of its serious health consequences.
Stay tuned to learn more about Gotta Match! and upcoming events at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion.
Gotta Match! is at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie from October 10, 2026 to February 28, 2027. The museum is located at 1 Theater Lane in Trenton, New Jersey.
Scroll down to see images from Gotta Match!
Interior of Turk's Head Restaurant matchbook. Individual matches depict chefs with chef hats forming the match tips. The culturally insensitive name "Turk's Head" stems from religious warfare in The Crusades and was a popular pub name in the 18th and 19th Centuries (it is also the name of a sailor's knot.) Courtesy of Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion.
Davidson Transfer & Storage Co. matchbook. Courtesy of Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion.
Davidson Transfer & Storage Co. matchbook. Courtesy of Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion.
1939 NY World's Fair - Ballantine Inn Ballantine & Son's 3 interconnecting rings symbol in cobalt blue Made by Lamberton China (Trenton-based company, 1923-1955) Loaned by Edwin & Brian Watkinson
1939 NY World's Fair - Ballantine Inn Ballantine & Son's 3 interconnecting rings symbol in cobalt blue Made by Lamberton China (Trenton-based company, 1923-1955) Loaned by Edwin & Brian Watkinson
Toilet bowl ashtray made by Keystone Pottery Co., a Trenton-based company from 1890-1935 known as "Manufacturers of Sanitary Earthenware in Vitreous China" From the TMS Collection.
Marlboro Man Model is M. Arthur Hammer, NYC attorney 1913-1978 Uncle of co curator Richard Willinger
Cigar ashtray From Trentoniana at the Trenton Free Public The Steven's Made by Scammell's Lamberton China
1939 NY World's Fair - Trylon & Perisphere Cigarette holder in classic Lenox off-white Sold by Ovington, NYC Made by Lenox (founded in Trenton in 1889) Loaned by Karl J Flesch
Thursday, October 29, 2026
@ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
Thursday, October 29, 2026
@ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ
Thursday, October 29, 2026
@ 2:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
Thursday, October 29, 2026
@ 4:30pm
Kean Stage - NAAB Auditorium
Union, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Thursday, October 29, 2026
@ 7:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
